Cavalry Scout


1h 18m 1951

Film Details

Genre
Western
Release Date
May 13, 1951
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Monogram Productions, Inc.
Distribution Company
Monogram Distributing Corp.
Country
United States
Location
Calabasas--Corrigan's Ranch, California, United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 18m
Film Length
7,004ft (8 reels)

Synopsis

In 1876, in the Dakota Territory, pioneers settling in the region find themselves under attack by Indians who fear that they are losing their land. Charged with protecting these settlers are Union Army veterans and former Confederate soldiers, who are stationed at forts along heavily traveled routes. The Indian war parties, composed of Sioux and Cheyenne tribes under the command of Chiefs Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, become a growing threat as the rapid-fire Gatling gun makes its way into the hands of the Indians. Into this volatile situation arrives Kirby Frye, a former Union Army captain, now a Cavalry scout, who takes up his new post at Red Bluff. Posing as a civilian, Frye makes his new home at an inn operated by Claire Coville, who is the sweetheart of Lt. Boyd Spaulding. During his investigation of the smuggling of ammunition into the territory, Frye suspects that the operation is taking place within the post. This assumption angers Spaulding and his fellow officer, Col. Drumm, who have been overseeing things at Red Bluff until Frye arrived. In order to gain a better knowledge of the shipping activities in the area, Frye seeks employment with the Red Bluff Freight Co., which is run by the crooked Martin Gavin, who is behind the secret selling of Gatling guns to the Indians, but he manages to elude Frye and foil his first attempt to stop the smuggling at a new checkpoint. After a failed attempt by one of Gavin's men, Barth, to kill Frye, Frye and Spaulding join forces to find the would-be killer. They eventually find Barth in the woods and kill him in a bristling gun battle. Later, checkpoint inspectors discover the smuggled arms hidden in a bolt of cloth when they fall off the back of a passing coach. After the outlaws scalp the guards at the next checkpoint, they take refuge on an Indian reservation. Claire, who is now Frye's sweetheart, is abducted by Gavin and his men, who suspect that she is spying for Frye. As an Indian uprising begins, Frye sets a trap for Gavin, and with Claire's help, manages to fight off the Indians and put an end to Gavin's operation. Although Spaulding dies in the battle, Frye and Claire are satisfied with their effort to put an end to the gun-smuggling gang.

Film Details

Genre
Western
Release Date
May 13, 1951
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Monogram Productions, Inc.
Distribution Company
Monogram Distributing Corp.
Country
United States
Location
Calabasas--Corrigan's Ranch, California, United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 18m
Film Length
7,004ft (8 reels)

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

Portions of Cavalry Scout were shot on location at Corrigan's Ranch, Calabasas, CA. A Hollywood Reporter production chart lists Jane Darwell in the cast, but she did not appear in the released film.