L'Escadron noir

Synopsis

When transplanted Texan Bob Seton arrives in Lawrence, Kansas he finds much to like about the place, especially Mary McCloud, daughter of the local banker. Politics is in the air however. It's just prior to the civil war and there is already a sharp division in the Territory as to whether it will remain slave-free. When he gets the opportunity to run for marshal, Seton finds himself running against the respected local schoolteacher, William Cantrell. Not is what it seems however. While acting as the upstanding citizen in public, Cantrell is dangerously ambitious and is prepared to do anything to make his mark, and his fortune, on the Territory. When he loses the race for marshal, he forms a group of raiders who run guns into the territory and rob and terrorize settlers throughout the territory. Eventually donning Confederate uniforms, it is left to Seton and the good citizens of Lawrence to face Cantrell and his raiders in one final clash.

Release date

15 Apr 1940

Directed by

Raoul Walsh

Runtime

1h 32m

Original title

Dark Command

Cast

Claire Trevor

Miss Mary McCloud

John Wayne

Bob Seton

Walter Pidgeon

William 'Will' Cantrell

Roy Rogers

Fletcher 'Fletch' McCloud

George 'Gabby' Hayes

Andrew 'Doc' Grunch

Porter Hall

Angus McCloud

Marjorie Main

Mrs. Cantrell / Mrs. Adams

Raymond Walburn

Judge Buckner

Joe Sawyer

Bushropp

Helen MacKellar

Mrs. Hale

J. Farrell MacDonald

Dave

Trevor Bardette

Mr. Hale