Battle of Rogue River
Tags: violence

Plot synopsis:
In the Oregon Territory prior to the American Civil War, Chief Mike (Michael Granger) has fought the US Army and the white settlers to a standstill. As a result, the post commander Major Wallach (Willis Bouchey) is replaced by Major Archer (George Montgomery). On the way to the fort, Major Archer's troop of cavalry accompanied by two field guns spot an ambush by Chief Mike's Indians. Major Archer orders one of the guns to fire knocking down a tree and panicking the "braves" who suffer no casualties.
On arrival at the Fort, Major Wallach has allowed the use of his barracks to recruit more Irregulars for Stacey Wyatt (Richard Denning) who accompany the regulars on their military expeditions. As the recruiting involves free alcohol and kisses by women to the volunteers (and to their Regular comrades-in-arms) Major Archer is furious and immediately takes command of the post to reinstall military discipline, retrain the men and plan another expedition. No one is more outraged than Sergeant Major McClain's (Emory Parnell) daughter Brett (Martha Hyer) who thinks Archer inhuman.
An emissary of Chief Mike comes to arrange a meeting between the new commander to discuss peace but Major Archer initially refuses until orders come for him to negotiate with the Indians. The Major and Chief meet with each respecting each other and arranging a thirty-day truce with the Indians and whites not crossing either side of the Rogue River.
Wyatt is secretly employed to keep the Indian wars going by a consortium of the territory's business community (mining, ranching, lumber, fur trade) who oppose Statehood that would ruin their profits. Wyatt tricks Sgt Major McClain into breaking the treaty by telling him the Indians have attacked a white settlement leading to all but McClain killed after they attack an Indian settlement.

Review: Minor western with a decent cast..
Probably the most distinguishing feature about this "B" western is the choice of names for the characters.
One of the leading men is named Stacey, the leading lady is named Brett and their Native American adversary is named Chief Mike!
Montgomery plays a zero-tolerence, by-the-book Major who comes to an Oregon fort with orders to solve the Indian problem.
There have been skirmishes back and forth across the title river and he's been given instructions to end the conflict, one way or another, to pave the way for Oregon statehood.
(It does complicate matters that his orders from headquarters change on a dime!)  Denning is the head of a civilian militia who is also heavily involved in the fighting.
Both men have their eye on a Sergeant's daughter (Hyer) who has a mind of her own.
Finally, some misunderstanding and manipulation leads to a final stand off between the Cavalry and the Indians.
There isn't a lot that's particularly special about this film, one of dozens of this kind, but it does entertain and is brief enough not to drag much.
Montgomery is handsome, stalwart and charming, even through his icy exterior.
Hyer is spirited and flirtatious.
Crawford looks as if he's going to have a decent role (and it's great to see him looking young and handsome), but it only goes so far before he's lost in the shuffle.
The Indians, aside from Granger as the Chief, don't come off as particularly authentic or menacing.
At least the dialogue has a few decent lines.
Other films have covered this territory better, but it's not a bad time killer.
Directed by infamous showman William Castle just prior to his horror spree, it's a wonder audiences didn't get a clamp that looks like an arrow went through their head with each paid admission!.
Fast-paced and enjoyable "B" Western.
12 O'Clock High Meets Virginia City in Castle-directed "B" programmer.
George Montgomery is adequately tight-lipped as non-nonsense Major taking over failed outpost.
Richard Denning gives a marvelously multi-dimensional performance as Stacey Wyatt, as militia leader with a hidden agenda.
John Crawford adds an interesting interpretation of the Hugh-Marlowe-type role of reformed reprobate.
Martha Hyer provides eye candy and adds a bit of sass to boot.
Good, clean, fast, and unchallenging fun..
Average Western.
Battle of Rogue River (1954) ** (out of 4)Set in Oregon, the Army and Major Frank Archer (George Montgomer) are ordered to make peace with the Indians once and for all.
Archer manages to make a deal with the Indian leader but someone goes against both sides and gets a war started.BATTLE OF ROGUE RIVER is your average Western that features a rather familiar story and in all honesty it really doesn't stand out in a very crowded genre.
These type of stories go back to the silent days as you've got good Americans and bad Indians trying to make peace but of course something happens and the good guys have to rise to the fight.Director William Castle was probably just trying to bring this film in on budget and on time.
I'm going to guess that was much more important than actually delivering some sort of masterpiece.
As it stands, the film is pretty much average on every level as the story isn't original, the performances are decent and the director at least keeps things moving at a decent pace but there's just nothing here that stands out.
I will say that the cinematography was quite good and the final battle sequence was nice..
Mighty Despicable Treason.
Battle Of Rogue River is fought by George Montgomery as a newly arrived major in the Oregon territory who is charged to bringing the Indians under Chief Mike down and when that's done the path to admission as a state will be smooth.
A very important issue for many reasons, those expressed in the film and with the Civil War looming another free state in the union.
Curious that that fact was never brought up in the film.Montgomery finds the discipline lax at the fort and soon puts that to right.
As for the Indians and the tribe is never mentioned it is probably the Shoshone and they've been causing havoc the way Cochise and the Apaches were in Arizona.
It's either beat them or deal with them.His new orders opt for the latter, but some sinister forces have their own reasons for keeping Oregon wild and free.
They pull some mighty despicable treason to do it.
Evenly matched against Montgomery is frontier girl Martha Hyer who's full of sass, she's the daughter of the post sergeant Emory Parnell.
And leader of the civilian militia Richard Denning has more than a passing interest in her.Battle Of Rogue River is produced by Sam Katzman who over at Monogram Pictures never saw the kind of budget this B western had.
A good western it's still the kind of item that was showing up frequently on the small screen for free..
Assembly Line Western Demands Nothing...Competent Not Compelling.
There are a Few Things of Interest in this "Assembly Line" Picture that was made in the Middle of the Decade Long Love Affair with the "Western".Directed with a Surprising Lack of Style by Horror Manipulator William Castle.
It has a Strong B-Movie Cast Playing Cookie Cutter Characters.
Nothing here Elevates but it is Competent, in Color, Widescreen and Short (71 min).It is one of those Professional Only Entertainments that 1950's Movie Going Audiences were Offered that didn't Give a Hoot about Anthony Mann or Budd Boetticher.
It's sort of a Pedestrian Escape and one of Many Traditional Following the John Ford Mantra.Try and Catch all the Interesting Names of the Leading Characters.
Slightly Above Average of its Kind and Plays it Safe all the way.
It Stars Middle Budget Stalwarts George Montgomery, Richard Denning, Michael Granger, as "Chief Mike" the most polite and even handed "Savage" You're likely to see, and Martha Hyer as the Only Woman in the Movie, a Feisty Female with Brains and Beauty..
Step Up to the Mike!.
"Battle of Rogue River" is another of the Producer Sam Katzman, Director William Castle collaborations.
This one takes place in pre Civil War Oregon Territory where the U.S. Army is having trouble with the Indians who are continuously resisting their attempts to drive them out.Major Frank Archer (George Montgomery) is assigned to take over the task.
A hard nosed by the rules commander, Archer at first meets with opposition for his no nonsense command.
Civilian Stacey Wyatt (Richard Denning) and his civilian volunteers fight along side the army against Chief Mike (Michael Granger) and his tribe.
Archer is at first, ready to attack the Indians but a change of orders comes in ordering him to negotiate a peace with the Indians.
Archer meets with Chief Mike and a mutual respect develops.
They eventually negotiate a 30 day armistice where neither side is permitted to cross from their side of the Rogue River.Sgt. McLain (Emory Parnell) ia assigned to patrol the Army's side of the river during the armistice.
One day Wyatt rides up and informs Mclain that his daughter Brett (Martha Hyer) has been taken by a group of maverick Indians and are holding her just across the river.
Sgt. McLain thinking his daughter is in danger, crosses the river with his men who are ambushed and killed by the Indians except for McLain.
This provokes Archer in to prepare an attack on the Indians.Wyatt returns to the fort unaware that McLain has survived and continues his treachery.
Unscrupulous businessmen including Matt Parrish (Charles Evans) have been using Wyatt to prolong the Indian crisis for their own gains.
Sgt. McLain returns to the fort exposing Wyatt and Parrish .Meanwhile, Archer has planned an attack on the Indians using his artillery when he learns of Wyatt's treachery, but it is too late to prevent the artillery barrage and...................................................
I have to admit that I was caught off guard with Denning's treachery,.
He usually was a good guy.
I was also awaiting the explanation of the name "Chief Mike" which is used in all seriousness.
I expected some sort of humorous back story.
It never came.
Martha Hyer, tight leather pants and all, was just starting to emerge as a an "A" features player.Castle gives us some exciting battle scenes and a few surprises.
The color photography is excellent as well.
Also in the cast are John Crawford as Captain Hillman the second in command, Willis Bouchey as Major Wallach who turns over his command to Archer, Steven Ritch as Chief Mike's right hand man and Kathleen Freeman with a nice little bit at the recruiting sequence.