''Natchez Trace'' (also known as ''Bandits of the Natchez Trace'') is a 1960 American film starring Zachary Scott, Marcia Henderson, and William Campbell, produced by Lloyd Royal and Tom Garraway, and directed by Alan Crosland Jr. The now-lost film was based on a novel of the same name by

William Bradford Huie William Bradford Huie (November 13, 1910 – November 20, 1986) was an American writer, investigative reporter, editor, national lecturer, and television host. His credits include twenty-one books that sold over 30 million copies worldwide. In ad ...

Plot

The film takes place in the 1820s focusing on the exploits of John Murrell, a slave trader and bandit who worked the central part of the

Natchez Trace The Natchez Trace, also known as the Old Natchez Trace, is a historic forest trail within the United States which extends roughly from Nashville, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi, linking the Cumberland, Tennessee, and Mississippi rivers. ...

in the 1820s and 1830s. The plot centers around the revenge against Murrell by a bank clerk following the abduction of his

fiancé An engagement or betrothal is the period of time between the declaration of acceptance of a marriage proposal and the marriage itself (which is typically but not always commenced with a wedding). During this period, a couple is said to be ''fi ...

and murder of her father.

Production

The film premiered in

Waynesboro, Tennessee Waynesboro is a city in and the county seat of Wayne County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,449 at the 2010 census, up from 2,228 in 2000. History Waynesboro was founded in 1821 as a county seat for the newly created Wayne Count ...

, near where filming took place in

Perry County, Tennessee Perry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,366, with an average population density of 18.6 persons per square mile (7.2 persons per square km) it is the least densely populate ...

and

Wayne County, Tennessee Wayne County is a county located in south central Tennessee, along the Alabama border. As of the 2010 census, the population was 17,021. Its county seat is Waynesboro. The county is named after General "Mad Anthony" Wayne, a prominent milita ...

in 1957. It is possible that some filming took place in or near

Meridian, Mississippi Meridian is the List of municipalities in Mississippi, seventh largest city in the U.S. state of Mississippi, with a population of 41,148 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census and an estimated population in 2018 of 36,347. It is the count ...

, where the production company was headquartered. Prior to filming commencing, both the film's director and second lead were swapped. Actor

Gene Nelson Gene Nelson (born Leander Eugene Berg; March 24, 1920 – September 16, 1996) was an American actor, dancer, screenwriter, and director. Biography Born Leander Eugene Berg in Astoria, Oregon, he and his family moved to Seattle when he wa ...

had originally been cast as the film's second lead, however Nelson was hospitalized following an injury sustained during rehearsals, causing the role to be taken over by William Campbell. Director

Ray Nazarro Ray Nazarro ''(aka'' "Ray" and "Nat;" ''né'' Raymond Alfred Nazarro; September 25, 1902 – September 8, 1986) was an American film and television director, producer, and screenwriter. Budd Boetticher called him a "ten-day picture guy."Budd Boe ...

was originally slated to direct the film, however a scheduling conflict precluded his participation, causing the producers to offer the job to Crosland.

References

External links

* * {{tcmdb title, 629730 1960 films 1960s American films 1960s English-language films 1960s lost films American historical films Lost American films