Massacre River is a cavalry story, but don't expect John Ford's cavalry here. The
story concerns a pair of army lieutenants Guy Madison and Rory Calhoun, both who are courting the commanding officer's daughter Cathy Downs. Her brother
Johnny Sands is a shavetail from West Point and he's friends with both.
Downs kinda sorta favors Madison but then saloon girl Carole Mathews arrives in
town and she takes over half of the town saloon from Steve Brodie. When Madison starts showing an interest in Mathews all the drama ensues.
A couple of brief skirmishes with some Indians who have not respected treaty
boundaries, one of them at the end of the film are the action. Monogram
Studios believe it or not splurged on some location money for this film. And
then wouldn't go for color. Seems a waste.
And this rather trite soap opera wasn't meant for the wide open spaces. Except
at the climax.
