La battaglia di Fort River

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!

The Indians, under Chief Mike, have been defeating the Army in Oregon for years. The new commander, Major Archer, plans to defeat the Indians once and for all, but his orders are changed to attempt a peaceful settlement. But there are certain people who do not want Oregon to become a state and they will attempt to keep the Indians on the war path.

The Battle of Rogue River is an unpretentious, straightforward, typical "Cavalry vs Indians" tale from Columbia Pictures . It's paced well, the plot holds things together and it has a modicum of action with a bit of a twist in regard to who is really a bad apple. Richard Denning plays the bad apple. George Montgomery is usually reliable and plays a stern officer with an obsession for following rules. Martha Hyer is quite stunning. The dialogue between Chief Mike and two of his braves when the braves are relating their experience with the "terrible weapons" that the major used against them is quite amusing.

In this reminder of his journeyman days as a director of westerns for Columbia William Castle was already showing signs of the cynical sense of humour that soon became a feature of his exploitation pictures in his depiction of the US cavalry as an ill-humoured bunch; the Indians not being much better as the chief berates his braves for sustaining insufficient casualties during a raiding party

George Montgomery shows a natural talent for winding his men up the wrong way and certainly lives up to his admonition that "An officer's weakness is measured by every one of his men that likes him personally".

Martha Hyer, meanwhile, as a comely lass in a blouse and tight britches shows she has other fish to fry when she gazes longingly at him and coos "Did you ever notice what blue eyes he has?"; to which Montgomery's idea of banter when he tells Hyer "Not another word" and she replies "Fine!" is to respond "That's another word!"

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.

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.