Red Tomahawk (1967)

Howard Keel is Capt. Tom York, a cavalryman on special assignment who stumbles upon the carnage of the Little Big Horn.

His mission at that point becomes clear: Warn two other cavalry columns headed in that direction of the massacre, to keep them from falling victim to the same fate.

Then he learns of two Gatling guns in private possession in the nearby town of Deadwood. With the help of Ep Wyatt (Scott Brady), he heads there and begins negotiating with their owner, Dakota Lil (Joan Caulfield).

Seems the Gatlings were purchased at a bargain price by her husband with plans to resell them to the cavalry. When it turned out the cavalry wasn’t interested in used guns, her husband’s partner wanted to make a deal with the Indians instead.

Dakota’s husband wouldn’t go along with that plan. The result: Indians attacked her ranch, killing her husband, her child and dragging her off for the enjoyment of the braves.

She eventually escaped and buried the Gatlings, determined they’d never be used again.

Well, Capt. York needs them now. But the townsfolk of Deadwood are demanding them too, as protection against a Sioux attack they think could wipe out the town at a moment’s notice.

Howard Keel as Capt. Tom York, arriving in Deadwood in hopes of preventing another Indian massacre in Red Tomahawk (1967)

Joan Caulfield as Dakota ‘Lil McCoy, the woman with two Gatlings buried on her ranch in Red Tomahawk (1967)

Review:

One of the low-budget Westerns A.C. Lyles Productions pumped out in the 1960s featuring aging stars. In this case, Broderick Crawford and Wendell Corey also have key roles.

Director R.G. Springsteen keeps the action coming fast and furious, with a liberal use of stock footage when it comes time for the climatic cavalry vs. Indian battle.

But the film is still a rather tiresome affair with some silliness sprinkled in as Capt. York keeps interrupting his urgent mission to provide those around him history lessons on the Gatling gun.

At one point, he’s reassembled the Gatling only to realize one piece is missing. No sooner has he spoken the words than Dakota Lil rushes up, clutching said piece, which had been hidden in a separate location.

Scott Brady as Ep Wyatt, the former lawman who helps Capt. Tom York in Red Tomahawk (1967)

Broderick Crawford as Columbus Smith, the brawler who first fights, then helps Capt. York in Red Tomahawk (1967)

Directed by:
R.G. Springsteen

Cast:
Howard Keel … Capt. Tom York
Broderick Crawford … Columbus Smith
Scott Brady … Ep Wyatt
Joan Caulfield … Dakota ‘Lil McCoy
Wendell Corey … Sy Elkins
Richard Arlen … Telegrapher
Tom Drake … Bill Kane
Tracy Olsen … Sal
Ben Cooper … Lt. Drake
Don “Red” Barry … Bly
Gerald Jann … Wu Sing
Regis Parton … Prospector
Dan White … Ned Crone
Henry Wills … Samuels

Runtime: 82 min.

Score: Jimmy Haskell

Wendell Corey as Sly Elkins, trying to get his hands on the Gatling guns to protect Deadwood in Red Tomahawk (1967)

Tracy Olsen as Sal, horrified by what she finds inside a stagecoach that’s been attacked by Indians in Red Tomahawk (1967)

Memorable lines:

Miner Ned Crone to Capt. Tom York: “Mister, there ain’t no Injun born that can make me leave here now.”
Moments later, a Sioux brave fires an arrow into his chest.

Wu Sing, throwing one of Columbus Smith’s shirts back on him: “How can I wash this? It smell. Nobody can wash this.”
Columbus takes a sniff of the shirt: “That’s right, it smells, but try again.”

Ep Wyatt, trying to interrupt Dakota Lil to take about Gatling guns: “Lil, this could mean the lives of all of us.”
Dakota Lil: “Maybe we’d be better off dead.”
Capt. Tom York: “Well, maybe we would. ma’am. But I’m afraid you’re not the one to decide that.”

Sy Elkins, trying to find out the location of the ammo for the Gatling guns: “When I get through with you, you’ll talk your head off.”
Dakota Lil: “That’s what the Indians thought. But I didn’t tell them anything.”

Capt. Tom York to the preacher: “How come you aren’t running scared?”
The preacher: “I’m scared. I’m just not running.”

Don ‘Red’ Barry as Bly, a deserter up to no good in Red Tomahawk (1967)

Tom Drake as Bill Kane, the doomsday preacher who sympathizes with Capt. York in Red Tomahawk (1967)

Richard Arlene as the Deadwood telegrapher, getting news of Custer’s massacre in Red Tomahawk (1967)

Howard Keel as Capt. Tom York, protecting Dakota Lil’ McCoy from a saloon mob in Red Tomahawk (1967)