Only the Valiant

Director: Gordon M. Douglas Gordon M. Douglas

Overview

Originally conceived as a Gary Cooper western, Only the Valiant reached the screen with Gregory Peck in the lead. Peck plays Richard Lance, a strictly by-the-book Army captain. Though hated by his men, Lance is respected for his military know-how. This comes in very handy when Lance and a detachment of troops attempt to reach, and then hold, an unguarded Army garrison in the middle of Apache Country. Among the film's he-man contingent are Ward Bond, Gig Young, Lon Chaney Jr., Neville Brand, Jeff Corey and Steve Brodie, all delivering topnotch performances. The nominal leading lady is Barbara Payton, whose real-life tragedies were far more dramatic than any film she appeared in. Only the Valiant was based on a novel by Charles Marquis Warren.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/27/2013
UPC:	0887090070607
Original Release:	1950
Rating:	NR
Source:	Olive
Presentation:	[B&W]
Time:	1:45:00
Sales rank:	23,623

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Gregory Peck	Capt. Richard Lance
Barbara Payton	Cathy Eversham
Ward Bond	Cpl. Timothy Gilchrist
Gig Young	Lt. William Holloway
Lon Chaney	Trooper Kebussyan
Neville Brand	Sgt. Ben Murdock
Jeff Corey	Joe Harmony
Warner Anderson	Trooper Rutledge
Steve Brodie	Trooper Onstot
Dan Riss	Lt. Jerry Winters
Terry Kilburn	Trooper Saxton
Herbert Heyes	Col. Drumm
Art Baker	Capt. Jennings
Hugh Sanders	Capt. Eversham
Nana Bryant	Mrs. Drumm
Michael Ansara	Tucsos

Technical Credits

Harry Brown

Edmund H. North

Gordon M. Douglas	Director
Harry Brown	Screenwriter
William Cagney	Producer
Walter A. Hannemann	Editor
Wiard Ihnen	Production Designer
Lionel Lindon	Cinematographer
Armor E. Marlowe	Set Decoration/Design
Edmund H. North	Screenwriter
Robert S. Seiter	Editor
Franz Waxman	Score Composer

Editorial Reviews

Only the Valiant is a fairly routine Western, but it does boast a fine cast that makes it quite watchable. If Valiant's screenplay were as good as its cast, it would be quite a flick. Unfortunately, Harry Brown and Edmund H. North's script is much too familiar and written with far too little imagination. We've all seen the basic set-up before: an unpopular, strict leader gathers together a rag-tag group of men and leads them on an extremely dangerous mission, turning them into a well-oiled fighting machine by the end and earning respect along the way. In the right hands, these are the ingredients for a gripping, exciting character story with plenty of room for action. In these hands, they make for a by-the-numbers plot. Gordon M. Douglas' direction doesn't overcome the deficiencies in the screenplay; his work is efficient and competent, but rather more is needed here. And that's where the cast comes in. Gregory Peck is in great "cards to the vest" form here, and he holds the film together with his sheer star power. Gig Young does every well as his romantic rival, and Barbara Payton is fine as the woman over whom the two tussle. Jeff Corey, Lon Chaney Jr. and Neville Brand all add significantly to Voice, but it is Ward Bond as the drink-heavy corporal that makes the biggest impression.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler