Title: American Empire
Year: 1942
Genres: Western
Director: William C. McGann

Cast:

• Richard Dix as Dan Taylor
• Leo Carrillo as Dominique Beauchard
• Preston Foster as Paxton Bryce
• Frances Gifford as Abigail “Abby” Taylor
• Robert Barrat as Crowder
• Jack La Rue as Pierre (Beauchard’s henchman)
• Guinn “Big Boy” Williams as Sailaway
• Cliff Edwards as Runty
• Merrill Rodin as Paxton Bryce Jr.
• Chris-Pin Martin as Augustin (Beauchard’s henchman)
• Etta McDaniel as Willa May

Synopsis:

In the aftermath of the Civil War, former riverboat captain Dan Taylor and his friend Paxton Bryce pool their savings to start a cattle operation in Texas. Their fledgling ranch flourishes until Creole rustler Dominique Beauchard, cheated out of his herd, returns to reclaim his stock—and exact revenge. As Beauchard’s gang raids pens and stirs local hostilities, Dan and Paxton must weather betrayal, harsh weather, and dwindling supplies. When Paxton marries Dan’s sister Abby and tensions mount, the partners face a final confrontation on the open prairie to defend their land and restore justice to the Texas frontier.

Trivia:

• Released in the U.K. under the title My Son Alone.
• Music by Gerard Carbonara and cinematography by Russell Harlan brought a sweeping scope to its 82-minute runtime.
• Produced by Harry Sherman for Paramount Pictures on a modest budget, typical of wartime Westerns.
• U.S. copyright was not renewed after its initial term, placing the film in the public domain.