Chad Hanna (TCF 1940, Henry Fonda, Dorothy Lamour)

Chad Hanna was a romantic circus drama starring Henry Fonda as a young man who runs away with the three-wagon circus. He first falls for the daring ‘high rider,’ Dorothy Lamour, who is amused by his affections but eventually leaves. Fonda then falls in love with her equestrian successor, Linda Darnell, and marries her. Filmed in Technicolor, the movie’s big-top atmosphere creates a visual spectacle (the red and white rococo wagons, acrobats in pink tights and gold fringe, the blare and glare of the trombones).

Chad Hanna was the third of three Walter D. Edmonds novels to become films and the third to star Henry Fonda. The first two were The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935) based on the novel Rome Haul and Drums Along the Mohawk (1939).

production details
USA | Twentieth Century Fox | 86 minutes | 1940
Director: Henry King
Script: Nunnally Johnson, Walter D. Edmonds,

cast
Eddie Conrad as Fiero
Paul E. Burns as Budlong
Sarah Padden as Mrs. Todd
John Carradine as B. D. Bisbee
Dorothy Lamour as Albany Yates / Lady Lillian
Roscoe Ates as Ike Wayfish
George Davis as Pete Bostock
Louis Mason as Constable
Olin Howland as Cisco Tridd
Paul Sutton as Bruiser in Audience
Clarence Muse as Henry Prince
Ted North as Fred Shepley
Rondo Hatton as Canvasman (uncredited)
Herbert Ashley as Townsman
Payne B. Johnson as Boy at Circus Parade
Harry Tenbrook as Canvasman
Guy Kibbee as A. D. Huguenine
Dick Rich as Bruiser in Audience
Ben Carter as Bell Boy
Henry Fonda as Chad Hanna
Linda Darnell as Caroline Tridd Hanna
Jane Darwell as Mrs. Bettina Huguenine
Frank M. Thomas as Burke
Frank Conlan as Mr. Proudfoot
Edward McWade as Elias
Edward Mundy as Joe Duddy
Leonard St. Leo as Mr. Pamplon
Elizabeth Abbott as Mrs. Pamplon
Tully Marshall as Mr. Mott
Virginia Brissac as Landlady
Si Jenks as Farmer
Victor Kilian as Potato Man
Ora May Carlson as Little Girl
Dick Gilbert as Bruiser in Audience
Nelson McDowell as Townsman
James Pierce as Big Man
Allen D. Sewall as Tavern Patron
Maxine Tucker as Servant Girl
Blackie Whiteford as Bruiser in Audience