Kentucky Rifle (1955)

A man escorts a wagon load of Kentucky rifles through Indian territory and must find a way to get through without losing the rifles to the Indians. Unfortunately the Indians know about it, ... See full summary »

Director:

Carl K. Hittleman

Writers:

Carl K. Hittleman (story), Lee Hewitt (story),

Stars:

Chill Wills, Lance Fuller, Cathy Downs

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Chill Wills	...	Tobias Taylor
Lance Fuller	...	Jason Clay
Cathy Downs	...	Amy Connors
Sterling Holloway	...	Lon Setter
Henry Hull	...	Preacher Bently
Jeanne Cagney	...	Cordie Hay
Jess Barker	...	Daniel Foster
John Pickard	...	Ruben Hay
John Alvin	...	Luke Thomas
I. Stanford Jolley	...	Jed Williams
Rory Mallinson	...	Indian Chief
George Keymas	...	Interpreter
Clyde Houck	...	Clyde Thomas
Alice Ralph	...	Mrs. Thomas (as Alice Rolph)

Storyline

A man escorts a wagon load of Kentucky rifles through Indian territory and must find a way to get through without losing the rifles to the Indians. Unfortunately the Indians know about it, and give the occupants an ultimatum: either the rifles or their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

rifle | indian | kentucky | comanche indian | b movie | 

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Taglines:

His Wits, Weapons and Women, Turned Defeat Into Victory!

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Genres:

Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 July 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

El rifle de Kentucky

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Howco Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Jason Clay: So, what do you think, Tobias.
Tobias Taylor: Jason, we get this bunch of cotterstoves over that last mountain pass, we be droppin' them tenderfeet down into the valley of the promised land. And to think of it - it's ole Sweet Betsy that's seein' us through safe. You made this, Jason. I'll want to tell you somethin', that's the sweetest piece of shootin' iron I ever had a grip on. Kentucky rifle!

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Soundtracks

"Sweet Betsy From Pike"
Traditional
Sung by Chill Wills

User Reviews

A 50's western that feels as long as a Kentucky rifle's barrel.

Kentucky Rifle is one of those movies that is immediately recognizable as having been made in the 1950's. The "western" accent used in the movies and television matches nothing I have ever heard anywhere else. The gritty version of the west was just starting to emerge at the time this movie came out, but it wasn't completely there yet.

Not completely void of a story, Kentucky Rifle gives us a simple plot that literally and figuratively goes nowhere. A wagon with a broken axle is left behind a wagon train that must keep its schedule. The wagon contains crated Kentucky Rifles that are of financial interest and a matter of personal honor to Jason Clay (Lance Fuller). Comanche Indians also have an interest in obtaining the rifles. From the start of the movie until the end we only see the characters arguing and reasoning for and against trading the rifles to the Comanches for safe passage once the wagon is repaired. Thankfully the philosophical dialogue is kept brief, and the action is given more weight in this production. Both Jason Clay and Tobias Taylor (Chill Wills) encounter the Comanches and work to keep the group of travelers together and alive for most of the movie. The wagon stays put the entire time. The most important attribute of the story is the will and leadership of Clay and Tobias, and the decisions they are forced to make.

Kentucky Rifle is not a total disaster, but it is hardly worth seeking. Enjoy it in a DVD collection like I did. I rated it with a generous 5, but I have a positive bias when it comes to westerns.