This biopic of Sam Houston was produced by Republic Pictures, which spent more than the usual on telling the life of the Texas empire-builder Sam Houston, played by the Oscar winner Richard Dix.
The saga contains such historical figures as Jim Bowie, Andrew Jackson, Davy Crockett and General Santa Ana.
Among the film’s impressive set-pieces are the Battle of San Jacinto and the siege of the Alamo, both choreographed by the stuntman Yakima Canutt.
The Academy voters responded to Republic’s valiant effort with three nominations, but no Oscars.
Oscar Nominations: 3
Interior Decoration: John Victor Mackay
Sound Recording: C.T. Lootens
Original Score: Victor Young
Oscar Awards: None
Oscar Context:
Lyle Wheeler won the Art Direction Oscar for Gone With the Wind. Bernard B. Brown won the Sound for When Tomorrow Comes. Herbert Stothart won for his Score for The Wizard of Oz.
Running time: 105 minutes
Directed by George Nichols Jr.