Old Louisiana
Cast & Crew
I. V. Willat
Tom Keene
Rita Cansino
Will Morgan
Robert Fiske
Raphael Bennett
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
On October 16, 1803, the Spanish governor of Louisiana, alarmed at the growing American trade on the Mississippi, imposes a tax on all American goods shipped through New Orleans. Luke E. Gilmore, factor of the Louisiana Fur Company, sends his henchman Flint to stir up a rebellion among the American settlers so that Gilmore can become head of the territory. However, respected leader John Colfax persuades the Americans to hold off any action until he lays their grievances before President Thomas Jefferson, whom John once saved. After Flint, sent to kill John, fails, John convinces Jefferson of Gilmore's plot. Jefferson, who wants to acquire the territory peacefully, signs a note stating that the settlers should follow John's leadership. On the ferry back across the Mississippi, John meets Dona Angela Gonzalez, the daughter of the district governor of Upper Louisiana. After John and his scout Kentuck throw a bale of tobacco, containing hidden guns for Gilmore, into the river, they fight Gilmore's men. John escapes with Angela and takes her to her home in St. Louis, where her father insists that according to Spanish custom, John and Angela must marry because they spent the night together in the woods. When John argues against it, Angela is insulted. Her father arrests John because Gilmore and Flint accuse him of smuggling the guns, and they find Jefferson's letter. Angela gets a message to Kentuck and John's friends, who break him out of jail, after which he confesses his love to Angela. Meanwhile, Gilmore and Flint organize men to attack Gonzalez' soldiers and then try to convince Gonzalez to declare Louisiana an independent republic. When he refuses, they threaten to kill him and Angela if he doesn't sign a resignation note, but John and the settlers arrive and rescue them. Kentuck kills Flint and Gilmore is arrested for treason. John, hugging Angela, agrees willingly to remain until confirmation is received concerning the Louisiana Purchase, and now happily consents to Gonzalez' request that he observe the Spanish custom still in force regarding marriage.
Director
I. V. Willat
Cast
Tom Keene
Rita Cansino
Will Morgan
Robert Fiske
Raphael Bennett
Bud Buster
Carlos Devaldez
Ramsay Hill
Allan Cavan
Wally Albright
Crew
Donald Barratt
E. B. Derr
Mary Ireland
Paul Ivano
Edward C. Jewell
Arthur Martinelli
Frank Melford
Abe Meyer
Bernard A. Moriarty
John T. Neville
Raoul Pagel
Karl Zint
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The first working title of the film was Drums of Destiny, which was the title of John T. Neville's original story. Crescent subsequently released another Tom Keene film using this title. The working title of this film was later changed to The Louisiana Purchase. John Auer was originally scheduled to direct this film, according to a Daily Variety news item. Reviews noted that this was part of a series of American history action films produced by E. B. Derr and starring Tom Keene. According to a news item in Hollywood Reporter, Keene and cameraman Paul Ivano planned to leave on January 3, 1937 for St. Louis to shoot river backgrounds. Studio production did not begin until February 3, 1937, however, according to a Hollywood Reporter news item. Although a contemporary review credits Ramsay Hill with the role of a Spanish official, modern sources state that he played Secretary of State James Madison. According to NYSA, the title of this film was changed in 1943 to Louisiana Gal, which was the title of the print viewed. Rita Hayworth's name is above the title in this version; however, all reviews of the 1937 release list her as Rita Cansino and list Tom Keene above her in the credits. The film was possibly re-released at that time to capitalize on Hayworth's fame. It is possible that Keene's name was above the titles in the original version. Modern sources credit Lou Brown as costume supervisor and Steve Corso as makeup supervisor.
