Michael Mikler plays Johnny Hawk, scout for a cavalry patrol trying to get word to reinforcements that a pass is open, so they won’t have to take the long way around during an Indian uprising.
Well, the pass turns out to be not so open, as Sgt. Chaney (Don “Red” Barry) and his men soon discover as their patrol is whittled down. At first, they suspect a mission Indian named Nicoma has lied to them. She proves herself with a suicide mission, helping blown up a teepee full of rifles and ammunition.
But, soon, the patrol finds another female, Sarah Lundeen, in need of protection. This one is a missionary’s daughter who finds it difficult to believe the Indians he tried to help have murdered him. Sgt. Chaney is reluctant to take her along. This is, though, she knows a route that just might turn their disastrous patrol into a successful one.
Review:
One of a number of grade-Z quickies director Lesley Selander cranked out in the mid-1960s. This one is doomed by wooden performances, too much predictability and far too little tension for the situation the stars find themselves in.
There are also a couple of truly silly scenes. Like when Sarah smacks Johnny for a lewd comment, then immediately worries about whether she hurt him.
As for the females, this was one of only two films for Sarah Lundeen and one of only three for shapely Laurie Mock, who makes way too quick as exit as the Indian girl. But at least it’s an explosive one. Both spent most of their acting careers in TV shows.
Directed by:
Lesley Selander
Cast:
Michael Mikler … Johnny Hawk
Don “Red” Barry … Sgt. Chaney
Davey Davison … Sarah Lundeen
Laurie Mock … Nicoma
Dennis Robertson … Trooper
Charles Horvath … Wolf Hound
Guy Wilkerson … Wooden Face
Michael Carr … Trooper
Fred Krone … Indian
Runtime: 73 min.
Memorable lines:
Trooper: “I’m sure glad he’s on our side.”
Sgt. Chaney: “He ain’t on anybody’s side. I take that back. He’s on the heaviest side.”
Trooper: “The heaviest side?”
Chaney: “Yeah, the side that weighs the most gold.”
Trooper: “Charlie Hawk. I can’t believe he’d fight just for the money.”
Chaney: “That’s because you’re a wet-eared recruit.”
Sgt. Chaney, after watching Nicoma blown to bits: “You satisfied, Hawk? Was she on our side?”
Johnny Hawk: “That’s one hell of a way to prove a point.”
Hawk, giving Sarah a good looking over: “Shame, having to waste all of that.”
She smacks him in the face.
Hawk: “Am I supposed to turn the other cheek.”
Sarah: “You had no right to say that.”
Hawk: “I’m sorry.”
Sarah: “Did I hurt you? I never slapped a man before.”
){kind=link}