Film Preview – Bognor Regis Observer – Friday, 22 January 1954

PAVILION, SELSEY. THE Springfield Rifle has played an important role in American military and frontier history for more than a century. It has been carried by United States soldiers in every war from the Mexican and Indian conflicts of the 1840's through World War II. It provided protection and a means of obtaining food for the pioneers. A chapter in the long saga of this famous firearm has now been dramatized in "SPRINGFIELD RIFLE," the Warner-Color film starring Gary Cooper with Phyllis Thaxter and David Brian. The outdoor drama tells of the efforts of a hardy Westerner in keeping the rifles out of outlaw hands. To do this, he is forced to become one of them and, as a result, almost loses the love of his wife and the respect of his friends. Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton star in the romantic mystery, "MY COUSIN RACHEL" adapted from Daphne du Maurier's famous novel. Burton portrays Philip Ashley who inherits a fortune from his foster father. Out of strict sense of conscience, he makes over £5,000 to his foster father's young and beautiful wife. Rachel, to whom he thought the money should have been left. Ashley loves Rachel and she encourages him until he has made all the fortune over to her. It is then that her attitude changes, giving rise to the question." Was she sincere in her charm or was that merely a weapon to gain the estate?" This question is answered dramatically.