Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Buffalo Bill go up against Indians and a gunrunner.
Direction
DeMille's spectacular set pieces that invented the Western template.
Costume
Jean Arthur's buckskins — historically dubious, iconically fabulous.
Acting
Cooper's effortless cool making everyone else look like they're acting.
Director
Cecil B. DeMille
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
General George A. Custer
Frank McGlynn Sr.
Abraham Lincoln
Granville Bates
Van Ellyn
Anthony Quinn
Cheyenne Indian
George 'Gabby' Hayes
Breezy
Frank Albertson
A Young Trooper
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
DeMille filmed the climactic battle with 1,000 extras, 500 horses, and 200 Native American performers — though many roles were still played by white actors in makeup.
This film cemented the 'Wild West show' version of Buffalo Bill into popular consciousness, despite being released the same year the real Buffalo Bill's autobiography revealed far messier truths.
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