BY LEE PFEIFFER
We've often written about the
shameful conceit of movie studios that used to cast Caucasian actors in
leading roles pertaining to ethnic minorities. Sure, it was fine to have
actual minority actors playing supporting roles (often for comic
effect) but the most important characters were generally always
portrayed by white actors or actresses (remember Rex Harrison as The
King of Siam???). Sadly, this blatant policy of racial prejudice often
extended to films that were sympathetic to the very races they were
portraying. Case in point: Geronimo, a 1962 Western that
purports to tell the story of the legendary Apache leader who stood
virtually alone against the U.S. government, even after most of his
tribe was browbeaten into surrendering. The logic at United Artists at
the time was that there was no actor more appropriate to play a famous
Native American other than blonde-haired, blue-eyed Chuck Connors, who was riding high at the time as
the star of the popular TV series The Rifleman. He
certainly possessed an imposing physique as well as more-than-adequate
acting abilities. However, even with a black Morticia
Addams wig, there is no doubt he was completely miscast as Geronimo.
This was also the case with fellow cast members Kamala Devi, a gorgeous
flash-in-the-pan actress who worked on several projects with Connors
before fading into oblivion and Ross Martin (!), the fine actor
primarily known for playing Artemus Gordon in the Wild, Wild West TV
series. Not only are all these folks woefully wrong for their roles,
the characters talk in modern vernacular that makes you think they must
be part of the obscure Apache tribe from Bayonne, New Jersey.
This much must be said about Geronimo: - the intention of the producers was
noble. This is probably one of the first major studio releases that
dared to portray Native Americans in a truly sympathetic light. The film
opens with Geronimo reluctantly surrendering to the U.S. Cavalry in
order to spare his few remaining followers more deprivation and
starvation. Once at the reservation, he quickly learns he has been
deceived and that the tribe is slated to be humiliated wards of the
government, stripped of any dignity or civil rights. This bold notion is
watered down, however, by a screenplay that ensures that these
deceitful practices are the work of a few bad apples. There's no way the
American government in Washington D.C. would ever have sanctioned
breaking treaties! By punting on presenting actual history, the story
loses its impact. Geronimo and some of his men rebel by breaking out of
the reservation and going on the war path. If the film goes lightly on
the U.S. government, so, too does it present Geronimo in a sanctified
light. There isn't a hint of the atrocities he committed against
settlers, probably because Chuck Connors' fans would have marched on the
studio bosses and burned them in effigy. The film is comic book
history, presenting only the barest hint of historical fact and even
includes a ridiculous happy ending that absolves the U.S. government and
Geronimo of any mistakes in judgment.
It's to Connors' credit that he doesn't come across as ridiculously
as he might. The film also presents that wonderful character actor John
Anderson in a fine performance as a corrupt Indian agent and another
future TV icon, Adam West, has a supporting role as a cavalry officer
sympathetic to Geronimo. Director Arnold Laven keeps the action moving
with nary a dull patch and it can be said that the movie is passably
entertaining.
"Geronimo" is currently streaming on Amazon Prime