The Plainsman - 1937

The cavalry sequences were shot with members of the Wyoming National Guard. Two guardsmen were badly hurt during filming of a charge scene.

2,000 Indian actors were used as extras for the Custer massacre sequence.

Paramount executives wanted Wild Bill Hickok to survive the card-game shootout, but Cecil B. DeMille resisted and got his way.

Anthony Quinn told Cecil B. DeMille that he spoke fluent Cheyenne. Quinn's description of the Custer battle is gibberish, but DeMille was impressed.

Film debut of Hank Worden.

The script originally had Anthony Quinn's character entering the campsite with no concern because he thought it was the camp of another Indian. Quinn told Cecil B. DeMille that a real Indian would know the difference between a white man's camp and that of another Indian's, and should show caution when entering. When Quinn insisted, DeMille thought about it and agreed that's how the character ought to react.

An excellent horseman from his youth in Montana, Gary Cooper did most of his own riding stunts, including the shot where he rode "hanging" between two horses.

One of over 700 Paramount productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.

John Wayne very much wanted the role of Wild Bill Hickok, which he felt certain would make him a star, but director Cecil B. DeMille wanted Gary Cooper instead.

Cast of The Plainsman

Gary Cooper Wild Bill Hickok

Jean Arthur Calamity Jane

James Ellison William "Buffalo Bill" Cody

Charles Bickford John Lattimer

Helen Burgess Louisa Cody

Porter Hall Jack McCall

Paul Harvey Yellow Hand

Victor Varconi Painted Horse

John Miljan Gen. George A. Custer

Frank McGlynn Sr. Abraham Lincoln

Granville Bates Van Ellyn

Frank Albertson Young trooper

Purnell Pratt Capt. Wood

Fred Kohler Jake (teamster) (as Fred Kohler Sr.)

Pat Moriarity Sgt. McGinnis (as Pat Moriarty)

Charles Judels Tony (barber)

Harry Woods Quartermaster sergeant

Anthony Quinn Cheyenne Indian

Francis McDonald River gambler

George Ernest Boy

George MacQuarrie Gen. Merritt

George 'Gabby' Hayes Breezy (as George Hayes)

Fuzzy Knight Dave

Hank Worden Deadwood townsman (uncredited)