Battle of Rogue River ** (1954, George Montgomery, Richard Denning, Martha Hyer, John Crawford) – Classic Movie Review 12,935

William Castle’s 1954 film Battle of Rogue River stars George Montgomery, Richard Denning, Martha Hyer, and John Crawford. It is a rather dull, over-familiar low-budget Western, though well directed and filmed in nice Technicolor

‘THE LAW OF THE LAST FRONTIER…FIGHT OR DIE! ‘

Director William Castle’s 1954 Technicolor film Battle of Rogue River stars George Montgomery, Richard Denning, Martha Hyer, and John Crawford. It is made by Sam Katzman Productions for release by Columbia Pictures.

It is a rather dull, familiar and uneventful, low-budget Western, though filmed in nice Technicolor by Henry Freulich, about tough US Cavalry Major Archer (George Montgomery) arriving in Oregon to arrange a truce with the Indians. It turns out that his buddy Stacey Wyatt (Richard Denning) is stirring up racial rivalry with the Native Americans, so he can snatch their lands and cream off the mineral deposits. Mmm.

The over-used plot in the screenplay by Douglas Heyes, some routine acting and much pedestrian technical work in the production help to sink it. But Castle’s direction is sturdy and taut enough and at least the star roles are reasonably performed.

It is produced by Sam Katzman and was filmed on the Newhall Ranch, California.

Though set during the Rogue River Wars (1855–1856) in the Oregon Territory, the production uses the regular post-American Civil War Western film costumes, and all of the troopers are wearing 1872 issue US Cavalry uniforms.

The cast are George Montgomery as Major Frank Archer, Richard Denning as Stacey Wyatt, Martha Hyer as Brett McClain, Willis Bouchey as Major Wallach, John Crawford as Captain Richard Hillman, Emory Parnell as Sergeant Major McClain, Michael Granger as Chief Mike, Lee Roberts as Lieutenant Keith Ryan, Bill Bryant as Corporal, Freeman Morse as Private Reed, Frank Sully as Private Kohler, Jimmy Lloyd as Private Hanley, Charles Evans as Matt Parish, and Steven Ritch as Indian.

Release date: March 1, 1954.

Battle of Rogue River is directed by William Castle, runs 70 minutes, is made by Sam Katzman Productions, is released by Columbia, is written by Douglas Heyes (story and screenplay), is shot in Technicolor by Henry Freulich, is produced by Sam Katzman, and is scored by Mischa Bakaleinikoff and George Duning (uncredited), with Art Direction by Paul Palmentola.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 12,935

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com

George Montgomery (above left).