The First Texan
Encyclopedia
The First Texan is a 1956 film directed by Byron Haskin
. It stars Joel McCrea
and Felicia Farr
.
, travels to San Antonio, Texas
to begin a new life. He encounters Jim Bowie, who is determined to free the territory from Mexico's rule.
Bowie is tried for treason. Houston represents him in court and successfully argues that the charge against Bowie must be dismissed because Mexico was not under martial law
at the time.
Katherine Delaney comes into Houston's life. He is still married back home, but separated and dictates a letter requesting a formal divorce. Katherine will not become involved with Houston unless he promises not to become actively involved in the fight to free Texas.
Davy Crockett
] relays a message from U.S. president Andrew Jackson
, who wants Houston to lead the revolution. There are not enough troops at the Alamo
to hold off General Santa Ana and the large Mexican army. And when Houston appears to be in full retreat, some of his men begin to feel he must be replaced.
It turns out Houston was planning a surprise attack. His forces are told to "remember the Alamo" and they proceed to overwhelm Santa Ana and his men. Texas is declared a free republic and Sam Houston its first president, a movement that eventually will lead to statehood.
Byron Haskin
Byron Conrad Haskin was an American film and television director. He was born in Portland, Oregon.He is remembered today for directing 1953's The War of the Worlds, one of many films where he teamed with producer George Pal. In his early career, he was a special effects artist, with a number of...
. It stars Joel McCrea
Joel McCrea
Joel Albert McCrea was an American actor whose career spanned 50 years and appearances in over 90 films.-Early life:...
and Felicia Farr
Felicia Farr
Felicia Farr is a former American actress and model.-Biography:Felicia Farr appeared in several modeling photo shoots and advertisements throughout the 1950s and 1960s...
.
Plot
Sam Houston, a lawyer and former governor of TennesseeTennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, travels to San Antonio, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
to begin a new life. He encounters Jim Bowie, who is determined to free the territory from Mexico's rule.
Bowie is tried for treason. Houston represents him in court and successfully argues that the charge against Bowie must be dismissed because Mexico was not under martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
at the time.
Katherine Delaney comes into Houston's life. He is still married back home, but separated and dictates a letter requesting a formal divorce. Katherine will not become involved with Houston unless he promises not to become actively involved in the fight to free Texas.
Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett
David "Davy" Crockett was a celebrated 19th century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician. He is commonly referred to in popular culture by the epithet "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the U.S...
] relays a message from U.S. president Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
, who wants Houston to lead the revolution. There are not enough troops at the Alamo
Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a battle fought during the Texas Revolution.Alamo may also refer to:-Places:*Alamo Mission in San Antonio, Texas*Alamo, California*Alamo, Georgia*Alamo Township, Michigan*Alamo, Nevada*Alamo, New Mexico...
to hold off General Santa Ana and the large Mexican army. And when Houston appears to be in full retreat, some of his men begin to feel he must be replaced.
It turns out Houston was planning a surprise attack. His forces are told to "remember the Alamo" and they proceed to overwhelm Santa Ana and his men. Texas is declared a free republic and Sam Houston its first president, a movement that eventually will lead to statehood.
Cast
- Joel McCreaJoel McCreaJoel Albert McCrea was an American actor whose career spanned 50 years and appearances in over 90 films.-Early life:...
as Sam HoustonSam HoustonSamuel Houston, known as Sam Houston , was a 19th-century American statesman, politician, and soldier. He was born in Timber Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, of Scots-Irish descent. Houston became a key figure in the history of Texas and was elected as the first and third President of... - Felicia FarrFelicia FarrFelicia Farr is a former American actress and model.-Biography:Felicia Farr appeared in several modeling photo shoots and advertisements throughout the 1950s and 1960s...
as Katherine Delaney - Jeff Morrow as Jim BowieJim BowieJames "Jim" Bowie , a 19th-century American pioneer, slave trader, land speculator, and soldier, played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution, culminating in his death at the Battle of the Alamo...
- Wallace FordWallace FordWallace Ford was an English film and television actor who, with his friendly appearance and stocky build later in life, appeared in a number of film westerns and B-movies....
as Henry Delaney - Abraham SofaerAbraham SofaerAbraham Sofaer was a stage actor of Burmese-Jewish descent who became a familiar supporting player on film and television in his later years. He was born in Rangoon, Burma...
as Don Carlos