Saturday, May 8, 11:00 AM, Charles Theatre 1

Director: William Castle

Cast: George Montgomery, Joan Vohns, Irving Bacon, James Seay, Phyllis Fowler, Ben Astor, Howard Petrie, Lester Matthews, George Lea, Cicely Browne, Louis Merrill

Country: U.S.
Year: 1953
Running Time: 73 minutes
Format: 35mm

In this sequel to the 1940 film, Northwest Passage, Book One: Rogers’ Rangers, George Montgomery leads a ragtag band of colonial irregulars, in their attempt to oust the French from Fort Ticonderoga during the French and Indian War. Meanwhile he has his hands full with two women: one a suspected French spy, and the other an Indian maiden.

Though not especially known as a great film, Fort Ti reinforces director William Castle’s reputation for putting gimmick first, in this case, good use of the 3D technology of the day. (Castle went on to make a name for himself for his gimmicky horror movies like House On Haunted Hill and The Tingler; his gimmicks inspired the use of the “Odorama” cards for John Waters’ Polyester). While the film is filled with topographically inaccurate locations and ridiculously incorrect Indian costuming, it also displays some of the best use of the 3D effect ever put on screen. Expect a relentless barrage of flaming arrows & torches, spears, cannons, muskets, bloody tomahawks, flying Indians, and even saliva to jump off the screen at you. Yes, Fort Ti holds the distinction of being the first 3D movie where an actor spits into the audience (despite The Charge At Feather River holding that claim in film history books). Perhaps that is just one of the reasons this film became one of the highest grossing films of 1953.

-- Skizz Cyzyk