Three bandits, led by Ike Vaughn (Gig Young) rob a stage of a cache of jewels. Inside the stage is pretty Lorabelle Larkin (Virginia Grey), who pretends to be mighty mad about the holdup, but is really in cahoots with the outlaws and stashes the jewels in her dress.
Problem is, the outlaws need to steal horses when making their escape and wind up killing a couple of Navajo Indians in the process. That prompts Chief Paako to declare war, and everyone winds up taking refuge at the Fort Marcy, under command of Capt. Dempster (Brian Donlevy).
Lorabelle pretends to be on her way to San Francisco to visit her ill mother. She does her best to charm the captain. She also befriends his daughter. Then Vaughn shows up, looking to retrieve her and the jewels.
Review:
Wonderful example of how a Western doesn’t have to have a huge budget to be thoroughly entertaining. Anyone who doesn’t smile watching this little film doesn’t have a sense of humor.
And the whole thing is put to ballad, which adds to the film’s quaint appeal. Speaking of a sense of humor, Andy Devine’s character helps, with his tales of heroics. And watch for his odd way of playing poker, including the Sneaky Peaky.
A ballad called “Hoofbeat Serenade” is used to move the narrative along. It’s one of six songs featured in the film, all performed by Terry Gilkyson as Sing-along. This one was of just four films he appeared in and his only credited role other than the part of balladeer in “Star in the Dust” (1956). He’s perhaps best known for writing the hit song “The Bare Necessities” for Disney’s “The Jungle Book” (1967).
Directed by:
Irving Allen
Cast:
Brian Donlevy … Capt. Dempster
Gig Young … Ike Vaughn
Virginia Grey … Lorabelle Larkin
Andy Devine … Sgt. Macintosh
Robert Hutton … Lt. Morgan
Lew Bedell … Hardsaddle
Robin Fletcher … Nancy Dempster
Ric Roman … Chief Paako
Terry Gilkyson … Singalong
Lois Hall … Susan
Myron Healey … Heath
Ken Koutnik … Levering
Runtime: 76 min.
Songs:
“Hoofbeat Serenade”
“Ballad Bandelier”
“I Wish I Wuz”
“The Girl in the Wood”
“Everyone’s Crazy ‘Ceptin’ Me”
“Jittery Deer-Foot Dan”
Memorable lines:
Lorabelle: “I thought you were an officer and a gentleman.”
Capt. Dempster: “I’m the commander of Fort Marcy. The gentlemen, you’ll find in San Francisco.”
Sgt. Macintosh to Hardsaddle, during an Indian attack: “Thought you said you were the hottest Indian fighter east of the Rio Grande.”
Hardsaddle: “East of the Rio Grande. West of the Rio Grande I ain’t so hot.”
Large-sized female dancer during fort social: “You know, I can look into your eyes and see you have led a gay, romantic life. If I’m not too personal, what do you do for a living?”
Male dancer: “I sell coffins.”
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