October 13, 1956
Screen: 'Pillars of Sky'; Western at the Globe Stars Jeff Chandler
Published: October 13, 1956
IT'S a pleasure to watch a modest, soldier vs. Indian picture shape into something respectable. Such was the case yesterday at the Globe, with the opening of Universal-International's "Pillars of the Sky," featuring Jeff Chandler, Dorothy Malone, Keith Andes and Ward Bond.
This CinemaScope color production, credited to Robert Arthur, offers nothing new or startling, but some persuasive people are holding familiar ingredients above sagebrush level, quietly and firmly.
The plot? Mr. Chandler, a leathery Army scout, likes his liquor and knows (and understands) his Indians. Warningly, he complies with orders to lead some troops across dangerous terrain. Enter, also for the trip, a wagon train and Miss Malone, loved by Mr. Chandler and a hostile colleague, Mr. Andes (the lady's husband).
That trip, a wild, milling and bloody affair, is graphically guided by director George Marshall, and leaves a handful of survivors. With both sides in accord, peace descends on the Oregon Trail, and that is that.
However, the perfectly natural behavior of the entire cast and especially the incisive dialogue—these are something else again. Thanks to scenarist Sam Rolfe (or author Will Henry), the actors sound like real people. Bit by bit, we understand them better and they matter more.
"Pillars in the Sky," with a nice, surprising mixture of compassion and cynicism, keeps insisting that they all matter, red and white. Not bad, for a spunky little picture that bounces off the assembly line pretty much on its own.
The Cast
PILLARS OF THE SKY, screen play by Sam Rolfe, from a novel by Will Henry; directed by George Marshall; produced by Robert Arthur for Universal-International Pictures. At the Globe.
Sergeant Bell . . . . . Jeff Chandler
Dr. Holden . . . . . Ward Bond
Calla Gaxton . . . . . Dorothy Malone
Captain Gaxton . . . . . Keith Andes
Sergeant Carracart . . . . . Lee Marvin
Timothy . . . . . Sydney Chaplin
Colonel Stedlow . . . . . Willis Bouchey
Kamiakin . . . . . Michael Ansara
Sergeant Williams . . . . . Charles Horvath
Malachi . . . . . Orlando Rodriguez
Lieutenant Winston . . . . . Glen Kramer
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