When the Daltons Rode (1940): Cast & Plot
When the Daltons Rode is a 1940 western directed by George Marshall, starring Randolph Scott as Tod Jackson, Broderick Crawford and Brian Donlevy. It runs 1 hour 21 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 21m (81 min)
- Director
- George Marshall
- Genre
- Western
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is When the Daltons Rode About?
The premise of When the Daltons Rode without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Young lawyer Tod Jackson travels to Kansas to visit his rancher friends, the Daltons, as a corrupt development company threatens their land. His attempt to help triggers a fabricated murder charge branding the Daltons outlaws, turning victims into villains. Torn between loyalty and love for Bob Dalton’s ex‑fiancée Julie, Tod must choose allegiance.
When the Daltons Rode Themes & Keywords
· 48 tags- outlaw western
- sapphire ring
- wild west history
- based on the novel of the same name
- prologue
- year 1891
- 19th century
- 1890s
- brother brother relationship
- dalton gang
- framed for murder
- outlaw gang
+36 more Show fewer
- fugitives
- land rights
- arson
- bank robbery
- engagement
- missouri
- mother son relationship
- newspaper
- real estate speculation
- birthday party
- farmers
- family lawyer
- crooked real estate deal
- melee
- henchman
- shot in the back
- stagecoach robbery
- sheriff
- photographer
- kansas
- rigged trial
- vigilante mob
- crooked surveyor
- law practice
- romantic rivalry
- accidental death
- perjury
- telegraph operator
- lynch mob
- riot
- train robbery
- epic chase
- horse jumping into water
- shootout in a bank
- marriage
- death of gang member
When the Daltons Rode Cast & Characters
Randolph Scott leads the cast as Tod Jackson, with Broderick Crawford as Bob Dalton and Brian Donlevy as Grat Dalton. Directed by George Marshall; 60 actors are credited in all.
- Director George Marshall
- Randolph Scott as Tod Jackson
-
Broderick Crawford as Bob Dalton - Brian Donlevy as Grat Dalton
- Frank Albertson as Emmett Dalton
Also Starring in When the Daltons Rode
· 56 more- Edgar Buchanan Narrator / Old-Timer (uncredited)
- Stuart Erwin Ben Dalton
- Kay Francis Julie King
- George Bancroft Caleb Winters
- Mary Gordon Ma Dalton
- Andy Devine Ozark
- James Flavin Annabella's Brother
- John Beck Townsman
- Stanley Blystone Deputy on Train
- Edgar Dearing Sheriff
- Harry Cording Rigby Henchman
- Tom London Lyncher
- Ethan Laidlaw Rigby Henchman
- Lloyd Ingraham Second Train Engineer
- Erville Alderson District Attorney Wade
- Ed Brady Deputy on Train
Show all 60 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Forrest Taylor The Bailiff
- Bob Reeves Henchman
- William Gould Deputy on Train
- Robert McKenzie Photographer
- Eddie Parker Mason - Rigby Henchman
- Dorothy Granger Nancy
- Joe King Oklahoma Sheriff
- Russ Powell First Train Engineer
- James C. Morton Ed Pickett - Juror
- Henry Roquemore Jim Osborne - Juror
- Kernan Cripps Freight Agent
- Bob Kortman Rigby Henchman
- Walter Soderling Judge Lucius Thorndown [Judge Swain in credits]
- George Guhl Deputy in Baggage Car
- Tom Fadden Townsman
- Walter Long Deputy on Train
- Robert Dudley Pete Norris - Juror
- Jack Baxley Townsman
- Harvey Stephens Rigby
- Al Bridge
- Lafe McKee Doctor
- Pat West Pete - Restaurant Counterman
- Charles Dorety Oklahoma Townsman
- Charles Murphy Tim
- Charles McMurphy Deputy Sheriff
- Jack Rube Clifford Deputy on Train
- Frank Austin Townsman
- Duke York
- James Pierce Deputy Sheriff
- Billy Engle
- Sally Payne Annabella
- Don Rowan Annabella's Brother
- Cyril Thornton First Cronie
- Ian Maclaren Crony #2
- Fay McKenzie Hannah
- Dorothy Moore Girl
- Mary Ainslee Minnie
- June Wilkins Suzy
- Quen Ramsey Wilson
- Mary Cassidy Girl
More from George Marshall
More films directed by George Marshall, best-rated first: How the West Was Won, Eight on the Lam, Hook, Line and Sinker and The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz.
When the Daltons Rode Plot Summary
What happens in When the Daltons Rode from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Old-Timer Edgar Buchanan opens the tale by speaking with Tod Jackson Randolph Scott, who isn’t after a history lesson, just the location of the Dalton brothers’ new home. The Dalton brothers, law-abiding farmers, move from Missouri to Kansas to begin a new life. Bob Dalton [Brian Donlevy] persuades Tod Jackson to defend his kin Ben Dalton [Stuart Erwin] in a court case against a corrupt land-development company. A melee erupts during the trial and the Daltons shoot their way out of the courtroom. Cronies of the land developers and the press portray the brothers as vicious criminals. Ben Dalton is shot in the back, and, unable to live by legal means, the family’s course darkens as they rob a stagecoach, cementing their notoriety as dangerous outlaws.
Full summary
The whole story of When the Daltons Rode, scene by scene
When the Daltons Rode Trailers & Videos
The trailer of When the Daltons Rode.
How Well Do You Know When the Daltons Rode?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays Tod Jackson, the man drawn into the Daltons' fight and ultimately Julie King's husband?
Seen When the Daltons Rode?
Movies Like When the Daltons Rode
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Dalton Gang, The Dalton Girls and The Doolins of Oklahoma.
When the Daltons Rode FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of When the Daltons Rode, each answered in a sentence.
How long is When the Daltons Rode?
When the Daltons Rode runs 1 hour 21 minutes (81 minutes).
When was When the Daltons Rode released?
When the Daltons Rode was released on July 25, 1940.
Who directed When the Daltons Rode?
When the Daltons Rode was directed by George Marshall.
More films by George Marshall Who is in the cast of When the Daltons Rode?
When the Daltons Rode stars Randolph Scott as Tod Jackson, Broderick Crawford as Bob Dalton and Brian Donlevy as Grat Dalton, among 60 credited actors.
Does When the Daltons Rode have a post-credit scene?
No. When the Daltons Rode has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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