Massacre River
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
John Rawlins
Guy Madison
Rory Calhoun
Carole Mathews
Cathy Downs
Johnny Sands
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
At an Army post near the Wachupi River, Chief Yellowstone visits Col. James Reid to discuss their new treaty. Just as the chief is urging Reid to respect their agreement, a lieutenant enters with news that several white buffalo hunters have been found scalped near the Wachupi, which has become known as "Massacre River" for the many bloody clashes that have occurred there. When Reid asks the chief what he knows about these killings, he explains that his rebellious braves are anxious for war. Later, soldiers Phil Acton and Larry Knight, best friends and suitors for the hand of Reid's daughter Kitty, learn from her brother Randy that she will be hosting a party that evening before her departure for St. Louis. At the party, Phil asks Kitty to marry him, but she tells him that she loves Larry. Later, Reid sends Phil and Larry out on patrol but warns them not to cross the Wachupi into Indian territory. When the stagecoach arrives at the fort, passenger Sgt. Johanssen explains that the suitcase he is carrying belongs to Laura Jordon, the woman with whom he had shared the stagecoach. He states that she inadvertently left the suitcase on board and asks Phil to take it to her at the Blue Star Hotel. Meanwhile, Laura tells Blue Star owner Burke Kimber that her deceased husband left his stake in the hotel to her. When Burke insists that he is the sole owner of the hotel, the sheriff shows him the deed proving her claim. Later, while out on patrol, Randy becomes separated from his unit and is shot by Indian braves, who then quickly return to their side of the Wachupi. Randy struggles back to the fort, where Laura removes the bullet and dresses the wound. Later, Larry arrives and tells Laura that he loves Kitty. In the hotel saloon, Larry overhears Laura talking about their love triangle and realizes that he actually loves her. When Phil senses Larry's change of heart, he visits Laura and tries to seduce her to prove that she is a tramp, but Laura perceives his purpose and asks him to leave. Later, Burke arrives and asks her to sell her interest in the hotel, but she declines. In desperation, Burke threatens to kill her, and when Larry arrives, the two men grab their guns. Larry, however, is quicker on the draw and shoots Burke first. When Reid tries to question Larry about the incident, he does not respond except to say that he is resigning from the Army. Randy then finds Phil with Laura and fires at them, but Larry shoots Randy, killing him, and reports to Reid that he shot Randy in self-defense. Larry tells Laura that he killed Randy, and she reaffirms her feelings for him and warns him to avoid Phil. Larry and Laura then elope, and Phil tracks them for days. He finally catches up to them and begins fighting with Larry. Just then, the entire tribe attacks, and Laura is shot and killed. Some time later, after Laura is buried and Larry has left the fort, Kitty and Phil are married.
Director
John Rawlins
Cast
Guy Madison
Rory Calhoun
Carole Mathews
Cathy Downs
Johnny Sands
Steve Brodie
Art Baker
Iron Eyes Cody
Emory Parnell
Queenie Smith
Eddie Waller
James Bush
John Holland
Douglas Fowley
Harry Brown
Kermit Maynard
Gregg Barton
Olin Howlin
J. W. Cody
Crew
Clem Beauchamp
Frank Beetson
Bert Briskin
Richard Cahoon
Lucius O. Croxton
Otto Englander
Harry S. Franklin
Jack R. Glass
Lud Gluskin
John Leipold
Julian Lesser
Jack Mackenzie
Col. Henry J. Matchett U.s.a.
Gale Mcgarry
Frank Melford
Norbert Miles
Lucien Moraweck
W. J. Murphy
Ann Peck
Morris Rosen
Morris Rosen
Jean L. Speak
Louis Stevens
Charles Straumer
John Sturtevant
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title for this film was When a Man's a Man. The opening credits include the following written acknowledgment: "The exterior scenes of this motion picture were photographed thru the courtesy and cooperation of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the National Park Service and the Office of Indian Affairs." According to Hollywood Reporter production charts, interiors were shot at Monogram Studios. A Hollywood Reporter production news item indicated that portions of the film were shot in Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Northern Arizona. A Hollywood Reporter news item dated October 6, 1948 reported that two endings of the film were to be shot and shown to test audiences to determine which to use.
