The
novel 'The Brothers of Broken Lance' by Clair Huffaker was published by
Random House in April 1958. 20th Century Fox bought the film rights prior
to publication and announced that Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra would
play the two brothers. However, negotiations with the two stars broke down.
The title was then changed to 'Flaming Lance' and, on 12th June 1960, it
was announced that Elvis would be starring in the movie. Huffaker had written
the book in ten days but when he and screenwriter Nunnally Johnson collaborated
on the script, it took them thirty weeks to write it.
The working title became 'Black Heart', then 'Flaming Heart' and the pre-release
title was then 'Flaming Lance.' When it was known as 'Black Heart', then
'Black Star,' Elvis recorded a song with that title, but then it had to
be changed with the word 'Flaming' replacing 'Black', but using the same
lyrics and tune. The film was directed by Don Seigel, produced by David
Weisbert and was premiered in Los Angeles on 20th December 1960 on a double
bill with 'For The Love of Mike.'
Four songs were recorded for the film, although only two were used - 'Flaming
Star,' written by Sid Wayne and Sherman Edwards, which was heard as the
opening credits rolled and 'A Cane And A High Starched Collar,' penned by
Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett. Elvis sang the number 'Summer Kisses Winter
Tears' to Indians at their camp, but preview audiences laughed at it, so
it was cut from film. Another song, 'Britches' was recorded for film. It
was meant for Elvis to sing the song while riding his horse to the crossing
with his brother Clint, but Elvis didn't want to perform it on horseback.
The musicians who recorded the music were - Elvis, vocals; Howard Roberts,
Tiny Timbrell, guitars; Myer Rubin, bass; Bernie Mattinson, drums; Dudley
Brooks, piano; Jimmy Haskell, accordion; The Jordanaires, backing vocals.
The film was photographed on three ranches in the San Fernando Valley, outside
Los Angeles, and the 'Flaming Star' of the title referred to a vision some
Indians claim to see as a sign of impending doom.
Elvis played Pacer, the half-breed son of Neddy Burton (Mexican actress
Dolores Del Rio), Sam Burton's (John McIntyre) second wife, a Kiowa Indian.
Steve Forrest played Clint Burton and Barbara Eden portrayed his girlfriend
Roslyn Pierce. Her part originally went to British actress Barbara Steele,
who wouldn't wear the blonde wig and didn't like the part, so she walked
out on the movie and destroyed her career in Hollywood movies. Talking about
the Roslyn character, Pacer refers to her as 'the girl who wears britches'.
Incidentally, several of the film's publicity photos had Elvis and Barbara
Eden together, looking as if they were romantically involved, yet the romance
in the movie is with her and the character of his half brother. With the
theme being about the son of a white father and Indian mother, the movie
was banned in South Africa on racial grounds.
The film opens with Pacer and Clint arriving home at their parent's ranch
to find that a surprise party has been organised for Clint, attended by
their friends, the Howards. Returning from their ten mile journey home,
the Howards are attacked by a Kiowa war party led by Buffalo Horn (Rodolfo
Acosta) who kill them all, with the exception of Will Howard (Douglas Dick),
and burn their ranch, then begin raiding neighbourhood homesteads.
Some white men, furious at the Indian raids, arrive at the house and insult
Neddy. Shots are fired which scare off the cattle, so Pacer and Clint have
to ride out the next morning to round them up.
Buffalo Horn approaches Pacer and asks him to join the Kiowa war party,
which he refuses, but due to the increasingly tense situation he and Neddy
go to the Kiowa camp to try and talk them into making peace. The Kiowa refuse
and tell Pacer he has to make a decision to either join them or fight them.
They are escorted home by a friendly Indian, Two Moons, but are attacked
by Will Howard who kills Two Moons and wounds Neddy.
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