Dark Command

Dark Command (1940)

A drama of undying love.

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.

Date of release
1940-04-15
TMDB
6.4 / 10 (63)
Runtime
1h 34m
Genres
Drama, Romance, Western
Director
Raoul Walsh

Casting

  • 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

Recommended