Yellowstone Kelly (1959)

Clint Walker stars as Yellowstone Kelly. He’s been trapping in Sioux territory for seven years, but life is about to get complicated. Against his better judgment, he allows a young man (Edd Byrnes as Anse) to accompany him into the hills.

The bigger complication comes when Sioux Chief Gall has him kidnapped so he can operate on a young Arapahoe captive. Seems years earlier, Yellowstone saved Gall’s life by removing a bullet. Now Gall wants him to do the same for Wahleeah (Andra Martin).

What makes this Arapahoe so special? Well, she’s quite the lovely young squaw. Gall’s nephew Sayapi wants her for his own. Gall won’t admit it at first, but he’d like to have her too. And when she regains her health and flees to the cabin where Yellowstone and Anse are living … well, they aren’t immune to her charms. As for Wahleeah, she makes no secret of the fact that she intends to run away and return to her people if she has the chance.

Meanwhile, a young cavalry major is determined to make a name for himself by chasing the Sioux back to the Dakotas. And he isn’t heeding any of Yellowstone’s warnings about how fatal such folly might be.

Review:

The improbable plot spoils what could have been a much better Western. The ending is pretty improbable, too. In between, there’s more focus on the tension Wahleeah causes than the hostilities between the Indians and cavalry.

At the time this film was made, Andra Martin was married to Ty Hardin. They had twin sons together, but were divorced in 1961. And this was one of only a handful of films she appeared in; most of her work came on TV shows.

If the cavalry major looks familiar, it’s because he bears a close resemblance to his better known acting brother, Rex Reason. And if you watch closely, you’ll spot Warren Oates in an early film appearance as one of the soldiers who taunts Yellowstone early in the film; then is killed in the climatic battle. And Edd Brynes has already started a starring role as Kookie in the TV series “77 Sunset Strip,” a fact referred to in the poster for this film.

There really was a Yellowstone Kelly, who served in the Civil War, trapped in Sioux country, scouted for the cavalry, participated in the pursuit of the Nez Perce and was later appointed as an Indian agent.

Directed by:
Gordon Douglas

Cast:
Clint Walker … Yellowstone Kelly
Edd Byrnes … Anse Harper
Andra Martin … Wahleeah
John Russell … Gall
Ray Danton … Sayapi
Rhodes Reason … Major Towns
Claude Akins … Sergeant
Gary Vinson … Lieutenant
Warren Oates … Corporal

Runtime: 91 min.

Memorable lines:

Sergeant, heckling Yellowstone Kelly: “You must be a tame Indian.”
Yellowstone: “I wouldn’t count on that.”

Yellowstone Kelly to Anse Harper, who’s hoping to become his helper: “Look, boy, I like being alone. It’s a good way. I intend to keep it like that.”

Maj. Towns, trying to convince Kelly to be a scout for an expedition against the Sioux: “In other words, you refuse.”
Kelly: “In any words, I refuse.”

Yellowstone Kelly to young Anse: “That’s the trouble with Indians. You never know what they’ll do next. They don’t either.”

Anse Harper, when Yellowstone Kelly starts arguing with Gall: “Don’t you think you’d better take it easy, Mr. Kelly?”
Yellowstone Kelly: “You can’t back down to them. They can smell fear in a man’s sweat.”

Sergeant, about his commanding officer’s strategy: “The major’s in a hurry to get buried on a Montana mountain.”

Wahleeah, expressing her plan to be an obediant servant, but only until she can run away to Arapaho country: “You saved my life. I sleep beneath your blankets.”
Yellowstone Kelly: “So?”
Wahleeah: “Many things can happen before spring.”
Kelly: “You gettin’ out of this valley ain’t gonna be one of them.”
Wahleeah: “We shall see.”

Yellowstone Kelly to Maj. Towns, advising against a river crossing in Sioux territory: “I’m telling you once more, major. On this side (of the river), you’re in trouble. On that side, you’re dead.”