HIAWATHA (1952)

Based on Longfellow's 1855 epic poem, at times this film seems sincere about its treatment of the story with filming locations setting a wonderful tone. Composer Marlin Skiles' score takes the film up a notch, mostly complimenting the location and light action scenes. The movie opens with beautiful visuals and a soothing voice-over reading of a poem, after a fashion. Considering its potential, the low budget is pretty well hidden. Until the actors show up. As an uninterrupted segue from poem to film, the main credits are uniquely held until the end so the viewer stays in the moment. This was the last film produced by Monogram Pictures.

The casting department's budget was thin. An obvious reason for a forgettable film. Most of the cast sound like they just completed their first month at a New York school of drama. The actor pictured (above, top) may be a Manhatten insurance salesman. The main leads, Vincent Edwards, Keith Larsen, and Yvette Dugay, each wearing identical non-gender Indian wigs, do not totally embarrass themselves, however. Edwards seems to fit the part of the even-tempered, peaceful tribesman after a right-of-passage ceremony stripped him of all his chest hairs. He definitely has more charisma than a cigar store Indian. Larsen delivers his lines as if it were the opening night of a melodramatic stage play. With tribal names like Pukkeewis, Megissogwon, Chibiabos, and Mudjekeewis, you better have an encyclopedia handy. Hats off to the canoes. I liked their period appearance though adapted from modern ones. I will say, the arrows shot into a couple of barebacks are very realistically done.

Selected by the Ojibway council, Edwards/Hiawatha is sent on a peace mission to the Dakotah tribe. Fellow tribesman, Larsen, insists Edwards is a weak coward because he is so nice and even-tempered. Larsen constantly spreads fake news and real arrows to undermine Edward's mission so he can elevate himself in the eyes of the tribe. Edwards has a choreographed fight with a black bear costume and you will burst out laughing when the bear takes an arrow from one Dakotah, who comes to Edwards' aide. While recovering, you witness one of the fastest courtships in film history as Dugay/Minnehaha falls in love with Edwards after only their second scene together. She is all gitche gumee about him. The subsequent wedding is clouded by a manufactured war between the two tribes, instigated, naturally, by Larsen, who prefers to make war, not love. Acceptance and peace win out and war is averted as Larsen gets justice thrust upon him once and for all. Rest assured, Edwards and Dugay will one day have a tribe of mini-hahas running around.