The "Massacre River" of the title is a river boundary separating Indian lands from that of the white community. A treaty has been negotiated by Col. Reid (Art Baker) and Chief Yellowstone (Iron Eyes Cody) setting the boundaries.
Two young lieutenants, Larry Knight (Guy Madison) and Phil Acton (Rory Calhoun) care competing for the affection of Col. Reid's daughter Kitty (Cathy Downs). She chooses Larry over Phil and a wedding is planned. While on patrol, Kitty's younger brother Randy (Johnny Sands) is wounded. He is brought to the town of Jackson by Larry where he is treated by "saloon girl" Laura Jordan (Carole Mathews). Laura is in partnership in the local saloon with the shady Burke Kimber (Steve Brodie).
With mixed emotions, Larry falls for Laura. In a dispute with Kimber Laura is about to be shot by him when Larry intervenes and kills Kimber. Larry must now tell Kitty of his plans. Because of the situation, Larry resigns his commission and plans to go away with Laura. Randy becomes enraged that Larry has broken off his engagement to his sister. Randy goes gunning for Larry but is shot down by Laura when he tries to shoot Larry in a fight. Larry takes the blame for the shooting.
Larry and Laura flee for a new life in the west but Phil, thinking that Larry shot down Randy, pursues them. Phil catches up to the pair and..........................................
In spite of the title, there are no massacres in the movie. There are a couple of battles with renegade Indians though to satisfy action fans. Unfortunately, we have to endure a politically correct Hollywood ending but the the move flows nicely nevertheless. Madison and Calhoun's stars were on the rise at the time. Madison went on to plat "Wild Bill Hickock" on TV and Calhoun had a lengthy career playing in "B" plus westerns.
Others in the cast are Emory Parnell as Sgt. Johansson, Eddy Waller as the bartender, Kermit Maynard as a scout, Rory Mallinson as Marshal Towne, Jason Robards Sr. as a lawyer and Douglas Fowley and John Holland as a couple of gamblers.
Worth a look.
Two young lieutenants, Larry Knight (Guy Madison) and Phil Acton (Rory Calhoun) care competing for the affection of Col. Reid's daughter Kitty (Cathy Downs). She chooses Larry over Phil and a wedding is planned. While on patrol, Kitty's younger brother Randy (Johnny Sands) is wounded. He is brought to the town of Jackson by Larry where he is treated by "saloon girl" Laura Jordan (Carole Mathews). Laura is in partnership in the local saloon with the shady Burke Kimber (Steve Brodie).
With mixed emotions, Larry falls for Laura. In a dispute with Kimber Laura is about to be shot by him when Larry intervenes and kills Kimber. Larry must now tell Kitty of his plans. Because of the situation, Larry resigns his commission and plans to go away with Laura. Randy becomes enraged that Larry has broken off his engagement to his sister. Randy goes gunning for Larry but is shot down by Laura when he tries to shoot Larry in a fight. Larry takes the blame for the shooting.
Larry and Laura flee for a new life in the west but Phil, thinking that Larry shot down Randy, pursues them. Phil catches up to the pair and..........................................
In spite of the title, there are no massacres in the movie. There are a couple of battles with renegade Indians though to satisfy action fans. Unfortunately, we have to endure a politically correct Hollywood ending but the the move flows nicely nevertheless. Madison and Calhoun's stars were on the rise at the time. Madison went on to plat "Wild Bill Hickock" on TV and Calhoun had a lengthy career playing in "B" plus westerns.
Others in the cast are Emory Parnell as Sgt. Johansson, Eddy Waller as the bartender, Kermit Maynard as a scout, Rory Mallinson as Marshal Towne, Jason Robards Sr. as a lawyer and Douglas Fowley and John Holland as a couple of gamblers.
Worth a look.