Raw Edge
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
John Sherwood
Rory Calhoun
Yvonne De Carlo
Mara Corday
Neville Brand
Rex Reason
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
In 1842 in Oregon, a territory claimed by both the United States and Great Britain, there is no law, save that of Gerald Montgomery, who dominates the area like a feudal baron and has decreed that an unmarried woman is owned by the first man to claim her. Montgomery's wife Hannah is attacked in a dark barn by an unseen assailant, but she manages to bite him before she passes out. Pop and Tarp Penny, Montgomery's henchmen, tell him that they suspect trapper Dan Kirby, who is involved in a land dispute with Montgomery, of the attack. Dan's guilt is seemingly confirmed when they find a scar that he received in a previous fight on his arm. Paca, Dan's Indian wife, seeks Hannah's help, and she admits that her attacker was a heavier man than Dan. However, Hannah and Paca return too late to prevent Montgomery from hanging Dan. When Paca attempts to return to her people, the Yakima, she is pursued by Montgomery's men. Indian brave Five Crows tries to defend her but is killed, and Paca is claimed by Sile Doty as his wife. Later, after Montgomery leaves his stockade to do a land survey, Hannah discovers that her Indian maids are deserting her. At a saloon in town, a stranger who has stopped at the Kirby ranch and found Dan's body, meets gambler John Randolph and is advised to see Doty if he wants work on Montgomery's land. At Doty's place, the stranger, Dan's brother Tex, is suprised to find Paca, whom he knew as Dan's wife, but she explains Montgomery's law to him. Later, Doty pressures Paca into revealing that Tex is Dan's brother, and Randolph informs him that Tex has quite a reputation as a gunfighter. The Pennys set out to warn Montgomery at his mountain camp, but Randolph tips off Tex that an ambush is being prepared for him. Pop Penny intends to let Montgomery be killed, however, and then claim his land and widow. At the stockade, Randolph also warns Hannah that Tex is gunning for her husband. When the Indians go on the warpath as a result of Five Crows' death, the Pennys return to the safety of the stockade, where Hannah accuses them of abandoning her husband. Later, Tex enters the stockade to await Montgomery's return, and the Pennys agree to let Tex continue his mission. The next day, Doty and Paca ride into Montgomery's camp, but they are trapped by the Indian uprising. Montgomery asks Paca for help, warning that she will hang if she refuses, and she goes to speak with Chief Kiyuva. At the stockade, Hannah confesses to Tex that she no longer loves Montgomery because of what he has become. When Pop and Tarp Penny start drinking and feuding over who is going to get Hannah, Randolph involves them in a card game to determine who will own Hannah, and as they begin to brawl, Hannah escapes. Tarp finds her and offers to take her to her husband but, on the way, attacks her, and she realizes that it was he, not Dan, who previously assaulted her. Tex catches up with them and sends Tarp on his way. Although Hannah still thinks that Tex intends to kill her husband, they move on, followed by Tarp who shoots Hannah in the shoulder. Due to a growing affection for Hannah, Tex decides to return with her to the stockade. Paca reports to Montgomery that Chief Kiyuva will allow him and his men to leave if he helps find the killer of Five Crows. Montgomery intends to hand over Tex as the killer, but when Paca takes him to meet Chief Kiyuva, Montgomery himself is indentified as the man the Indians want. He pleads for Paca's help as he is dragged away, but the next day, his body is delivered to the stockade, and Paca rides off with her people. When Tarp returns, Pop draws a gun on Tex and Randolph. After Tarp deliberately shoots his own father, Tex enters the house where Tarp is holed up and a gunfight ensues. When their ammunition runs out, they continue brawling until Tarp impales himself on the horns of a fallen steer's head. Tex plans to leave for San Antone, and Hannah accepts his invitation to accompany him.
Director
John Sherwood
Cast
Rory Calhoun
Yvonne De Carlo
Mara Corday
Neville Brand
Rex Reason
Emile Meyer
Herbert Rudley
Robert J. Wilke
John Gilmore
Gregg Barton
Ed Fury
William Schallert
Francis Mcdonald
Robert Hoy
Julia Montoya
Paul Fierro
Richard James
Crew
Adele Cannon
Leslie I. Carey
Ray Decamp
Norman Deming
Harry Essex
William Fritzsche
Russell A. Gausman
Joseph Gershenson
Maury Gertsman
Terry Gilkyson
Alexander Golitzen
Harold Goodwin
Robert Hill
John Kemp
Joseph E. Kenny
William Kozlenko
Ruby R. Levitt
George Lollier
James Benson Nablo
Ed Sandlin
Russell Schoengarth
Joe Sikorski
Joan St. Oegger
Clifford Stine
Alfred Sweeney
Bill Thomas
Bud Westmore
Frank H. Wilkinson
Albert Zugsmith
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
According to a September 1955 "Rambling Reporter" item in Hollywood Reporter, Universal considered casting Lita Baron in Raw Edge, opposite her then real-life husband, Rory Calhoun. According to a October 25, 1955 Hollywood Reporter news item, some scenes were shot on location at Idyllwild, CA. Story writer James Benson Nablo died of a heart attack on October 17, 1955, just before filming on Raw Edge began.
