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King of the Khyber Rifles (film)

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Wikipedia article




'King of the Khyber Rifles' is a 1953 adventure film directed by Henry King and starring Tyrone Power and Terry Moore. The film shares its title but little else with the novel 'King of the Khyber Rifles' (1916) by Talbot Mundy. This novel was also the basis for John Ford's 'The Black Watch' (1929). The Khyber Pass scenes were shot in the Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California. Released by 20th Century Fox, the film was one of the first shot in Technicolor CinemaScope.

Plot



In 1857, freshly-arrived Sandhurst-trained Captain Alan King, survives an attack on his escort to his North-West Frontier Province garrison near the Khyber Pass because of Ahmed, a native Afridi deserter from the Muslim fanatic rebel Karram Khan's forces. King was born locally and speaks Pashto. As soon as his fellow officers learn that his mother was a native Muslim (which got his parents disowned even by their own families), he encounters prejudiced discrimination, including Lieutenant Geoffrey Heath moving out of their quarters.

Brigadier General J. R. Maitland, whose policy is full equality among whites, learns that King knew Karram Khan as a boy and charges him with training and commanding the native cavalry. The general's daughter, Susan Maitland, takes a fancy to Alan, and falls in love, but the general decides to send her home to England after a kidnap attempt which was foiled by King. King volunteers to engage Karram Khan, the only man who can bring the normally divided local tribes together in revolt, pretending to have deserted.

Cast



* Tyrone Power as Captain Alan King

* Terry Moore as Susan Maitland

* Michael Rennie as Brigadier Gen. J. R. Maitland

* John Justin as Lieutenant Geoffrey Heath

* Guy Rolfe as Karram Khan

* Richard Wyler as Lieutenant Ben Baird

* Murray Matheson as Major Ian MacAllister

* Frank DeKova as Ali Nur

* Argentina Brunetti as Lali

* Sujata as Native dancer

* Frank Lacteen as Ahmed

* Gavin Muir as Major Lee

* John Farrow as Corporal Stuart

Development



Fox announced plans to remake the film in 1938. They were going to make it with Richard Greene or Victor McLaglen,DRAMA: Tyrone Power Named 'Johnny Apollo' Star

Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 20 May 1939: A7.
but plans were pushed back because of the start of World War Two.'Khyber Rifles' May Become Donlevy Film: Arnaz in Powell Opus Sherman Slates 'Utah' Veidt May Act General Patricia Morison Cast Smith Wins R.K.O. Pact

Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 18 July 1941: A12.


In 1951 the project was reactivated as a vehicle for Tyrone Power. Walter Doniger was to write the script and Frank Rosenberg was to produce.WAXMAN PREPARES FIRST FILM STORY: Producer to Screen 'Dreadful Summit'--Barrymore Jr. Signs for Key Role Of Local Origin

By THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 11 May 1951: 40.
By December Henry Hathaway was listed as director.Looking at Hollywood: Cary Grant Grows Younger in Next Movie; Potion Does the Trick

Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 27 Dec 1951: a5.


In January 1953 Fox announced the film would be one of a series of "super specials" the studio would make in CinemaScope.FOX FILMS TO MAKE 7 'SUPER-SPECIALS': Technicolor Features to Cost $3,000,000 Each Join List of 29 Major Projects

By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 6 Jan 1953: 22.


In April 1953 Henry King was given the job of directing and Power was confirmed as star.British Players Present Wilde Story on Screen

Los Angeles Times 15 Apr 1953: B9.
Guy Rolfe signed in June.4 STARS GET ROLES IN NEW METRO FILM: Miss Kerr, Holden, Pidgeon and Calhern to Be Principals in 'Executive Suite,' Best-Seller

By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 5 June 1953: 18.


Filming started 14 July in Lone Pine, California.CURTIZ TO DIRECT 'COVERED WAGON': Paramount Remake of Silent Epic Will Have New Plot -- Terry Moore in Fox Film

By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 23 June 1953: 25.
During filming, 22 people were injured when an explosion went off with more force than anticipated.PRISONER FLEES COURT, RECAPTURED: Friend Also Held, Accused of Aiding Escape From Detention Room

Los Angeles Times 20 Aug 1953: A14.


References




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