Oregon Passage 1957

This is referred to quite a bit, as a B Western – but the locations used and the action sequences would suggest a bigger budget film. I would think that the leading actors would be seen as, not exactly  from the front rank of stars at that time – although they proved adequate in this DeLuxe Color action packed Western – and In Cinemascope.

There were some very good Westerns made around this time – I think of The Searchers and The Last Wagon made the year before – as was The Secret of Treasure Mountain which although not really in the same league as the first two mentioned – nevertheless to me, it was a memorable and enjoyable film.

Oregon Passage 6

John Ericson and Lola Albright headed the cast list in this film.

Oregon Passage is  directed by Paul Landres and starring John Ericson, Lola Albright, Edward Platt, and Rachel Ames. Its plot follows a clash between an army lieutenant and Shoshoni Indians in the Cascade Mountains region of Oregon in 1871, where it was filmed.

With bigger Stars,  I am of the opinion that this one could have done very well indeed.    It is well made, and beautifully photographed.   The story also, is good – and we have plenty of action.

Oregon Passage is a tough and action packed picture. The action scenes, particularly the final raid on the fort, are well staged.

John Ericson is good as the dedicated young officer — he’d already been in Bad Day At Black Rock (1955) and Forty Guns (1957). Edward Platt is easy to hate as the  Major- and Lola Albright and Toni Gerry manage well in the roles of the cavalry wife and Indian squaw, respectively.

It was based on a novel by Gordon D. Shirreffs.

 

Oregon Passage

Above – The Indians prepare to attack.

Cinematographer Ellis Carter was a real craftsman, often working at Universal-International. He shot some of the best of the studio’s late-50s. films.

Ellis Carter’s outdoor work on Oregon Passage is often beautiful. He and his crew certainly made the most of their two weeks on location.

Oregon Passage 2

Above – The Soldiers dig in to fight back as the Indians attack

Oregon Passage 3

Above – All Out Fighting

Oregon Passage 4

Above – Casualties

Oregon Passage 5

Above – A lone Indian

Oregon Passage 6

Above – Forward the Soldiers

Orgeon Passage

 

Oregon Passage 2

Above – John Ericson  targets the Chief

Oregon Passage 3

 

Oregon Passage 4

Above: The final showdown

Oregon Passage 5

Above: The final showdown

Oregon Passage 6

 

Oregon Passage 7

Above – A Fight to the finish

Oregon Passage

 

Oregon Passage 5

 

Oregon Passage 2

Above – A Romantic Ending

Oregon Passage 3

Oregon Passage 4

Above – the filming was actually done in Oregon

 

posted by Movieman in Uncategorized and have Comments (3)

3 Responses to “Oregon Passage 1957”

  1. David Rayner says:

    I went to see this at my local cinema when I was 12 in 1959 and thought it was a really good Western. The fight between John Ericson and that Indian at the end was very realistic, especially the part where he presses the Indian’s face down in the dirt and suffocates him. I have the Warner Archive DVD of it in full width CinemaScope and it’s an excellent transfer.

  2. David Rayner says:

    I went to see this at my local cinema when I was 12 in 1959 and thought it was a really good Western. The fight between John Ericson and that Indian at the end was very realistic, especially the part where he presses the Indian’s face down in the dirt and suffocates him. I have the Warner Archive DVD of it in full width CinemaScope and it’s an excellent transfer.

    • Movieman says:

      Thanks David. It certainly is a very good Western and I enjoyed it. When you saw it of course it would be on the big screen with the wonderful wide Cinemascope effect as you say, which was so exciting. I remember seeing The Robe – a few years before this – and sitting close to the front and gazing up at the screen and looking from side to side as Victor Mature talked to another actor across the screen width. Very impressive – and on a scale that we could not get anywhere near with our Television sets of the day – although even with the Televisions we have today, it still is not possible to get that effect.
      I also remember seeing The Last Wagon – one of my favourite Westerns just before Oregon Passage was released.
      Thanks, Neil

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