Massacre River (1949)

Guy Madison is Larry Knight; Rory Calhoun is Phil Acton; they’re young cavalry officers and good friends stationed out West, near Massacre River.

And the river could soon live up to that name again because whites are trespassing on the Indian reservation. And the Indian braves are retaliating by killing and scalping buffalo hunters, bringing the two sides to the brink of war.

But Knight and Acton have even more in common; they’re in love with the same woman, Kitty Reid, daughter of their commanding officer.

Acton has known Kitty since they were childhood friends and, upon hearing that she’ll soon be leaving for St. Louis, pops the question.

But she confesses her love for Knight, and they become engaged instead.

It’s at that point that Laura Jordan enters the picture, returning to the town of Jackson to claim half share in the saloon her now deceased partner once owned.

Burke Kimber grudgingly allows her to become part of the venture, though he doesn’t exactly like her way of managing things.

Laura takes a quick liking to Larry. He’s wary of her, but falls in love nevertheless.

That won’t bode well for his engagement, his military career or his friendship with Acton.

Guy Madison as Larry Knight, an engaged man letting his interest stray in Massacre River (1949)

Rory Calhoun as Phil Acton, testing Laura Jordan’s ability to resist his charm in Massacre River (1949)

Review:

The film’s allure is getting to see future Western stars Guy Madison and Rory Calhoun in a film together. Take away that, and you’re left with a very routine film in which the focus is on Madison’s love life. Even then, it’s difficult to understand what he sees in dour saloon girl Laura Jordan.

As for the film’s title, if you’re looking for fast-paced or large-scale cavalry vs. Indian action, looks elsewhere. The only Indian attack comes at the film’s climax, isn’t very well done and ends rather ridiculously.

Cathy Downs, who plays the scorned lover here, appeared in a number of other Westerns. But her first Western role — and only her second credited part — was probably her best. She played Clementine Carter opposite Henry Fonda in John Ford’s “My Darling Clementine” (1946).

Carole Mathews as Laura Jordan, letting the sparks fly when she finds Larry Knight rummaging through her luggage in Massacre River (1949)

Cathy Downs as Kitty Reid, demanding answers from former fiancee Larry Knight in Massacre River (1949)

Directed by:
John Rawlins

Cast:
Guy Madison … Larry Knight
Rory Calhoun … Phil Acton
Carole Mathews … Laura Jordan
Cathy Downs … Kitty Reid
Johnny Sands … Randy Reid
Art Baker … Col. James Reid
Steve Brodie … Burke Kimber
Iron Eyes Cody … Chief Yellowstone
Emory Parnell … Sgt. Johanssen
Queenie Smith … Mrs. Johanssen
Eddy Waller … Joe
James Bush … Eddie
John Holland … Roberts
Douglas Fowley .. Simms
Harry Brown … Piano player

Runtime: 78 min.

Johnny Sands as Randy Reid, a younger brother concerned about the way Larry Knight has treated his older sister in Massacre River (1949)

Steve Brodie as Burke Kimber, Laura Jordan’s reluctant business partner in ownership of a saloon in Massacre River (1949)

Memorable lines:

Ranny Reid, a young officer eager for action: “Ever since I got here from the Point, day after day, nothing but routine drills and a lot of paperwork. I’m fed up.”
Phil Acton: “Don’t worry, sonny. One of these days your pappy will decide it’s about time for his boy to get killed.”

Laura Jordan, complaining about Larry Knight’s perceived rudeness: “Brave, aren’t you? By the way, how did you ever get to be an officer? You’re no West Pointer.”
Larry Knight: “And you? You’re no Lilly.”

Larry Knight: “You know, Laura, you think you’re wise. But being cynical, that’s not wisdom.”

Phil Acton: “I don’t know why I don’t kill you, why I can’t kill you. But I know I told you once I was going to knock the daylights out of you. Well, this is it.”

Art Baker as Col. James Reid, pointing out the predicament facing his cavalry in Massacre River (1949)

Iron Eyes Cody as Chief Yellowstone, leader of the Indians negotiating with the whites in Massacre River (1949)

Carole Mathews as Laura Jordan and Guy Madison as Larry Knight, running into a roadblock en route to starting a new life in Massacre River (1949)

Guy Madison as Larry Knight and Rory Calhoun as Phil Acton, awaiting orders in Massacre River (1949)