Tyrone Power always seemed to fare well in westerns, even if 20th Century Fox didn't cast him in too many of these films. His biggest hit in the genre was 1939's JESSE JAMES in which he played the title character. The studio re-released the picture several times in the 1940s, so it was seldom out of circulation. His next western finally occurred in 1951, with Susan Hayward as his costar. In RAWHIDE he was no longer an outlaw, but a station manager.
A year later he appeared in PONY SOLDIER, which I suppose to differentiate the drama from those earlier stories, was set in Saskatchewan. The novelty of having Power play an officer of the law in the Canadian Rockies is somewhat diminished by the fact the studio and director Joseph Newman chose to shoot on location in Sedona. It's very obvious the exteriors are Arizona standing in for Canada.
The plot is quite simple. Our star is a Royal Canadian Mountain Policeman who is sent by a superior to a Cree settlement to keep the peace. Brokering this peace is complicated by several unexpected developments. First, a scheming scout (Thomas Gomez) has a few secrets that may upend the operation.
Second, a white farmer is killed and the man's wife (Penny Edwards) is taken captive by the Cree. It seems that a brave (Cameron Mitchell) has decided she would make a good bride for his brother, despite her strenuous objections. Power must deal with Mitchell's refusal to let the woman go. These are among the more tense scenes in the movie.
Meanwhile, another white captive is embroiled in the conflict, since he was near the site where the farmer was killed. This man (Robert Horton) is running from something but won't say what it is. Eventually Power learns that the guy had committed a bank robbery and escaped from prison. So besides saving Miss Edwards' life, Power has to make sure Horton is returned to the proper authorities. Of course, Horton has other ideas.
In order to successfully deal with these issues, Power in his red tunic, rides to the Cree settlement to speak to their leader (Stuart Randall). Power insists that the Cree must turn the captives over, and also they must go to an assigned reservation which they refuse to do. There is considerable haggling, and the chief is clearly reluctant to recognize the Queen's Law.
However, all this changes when a mirage convinces the chief that Power has the ability to perform magic. Naturally, Power exploits the superstitious beliefs of the Cree to his advantage. Soon he is engaged in a meeting with the chief's council, which is rather humorous.
Despite Power's alliance with the chief, Mitchell and his brother are still determined to keep Edwards as a bride. And in a western, we know this is building to a standoff. Mitchell has Edwards carried off into the mountains, and Power goes after them. Power receives assistance from a young native orphan (Anthony Earl Numkena). Oh yes, I should mention the orphan takes Power's name and becomes his adopted son, which is rather endearing.
While all of this is taking place, an elderly tribeswoman (Adeline De Walt Reynolds) sits quietly in the background. She is a wise old sage who communicates mostly by her facial expressions. But she does have one memorable line of dialogue. And when she talks, the people listen to her.
Fortunately, Power is able to rescue Edwards, and it is a foregone conclusion that they will marry. She will help Power raise the boy after they return to his command post. As for the Cree, they have now decided to surrender and travel to the reservation.
All in all this is not a bad way to spend an hour and a half. Tyrone Power would make one more western, freelancing at Universal the following year...in a smash hit called THE MISSISSIPPI GAMBLER.
A year later he appeared in PONY SOLDIER, which I suppose to differentiate the drama from those earlier stories, was set in Saskatchewan. The novelty of having Power play an officer of the law in the Canadian Rockies is somewhat diminished by the fact the studio and director Joseph Newman chose to shoot on location in Sedona. It's very obvious the exteriors are Arizona standing in for Canada.
The plot is quite simple. Our star is a Royal Canadian Mountain Policeman who is sent by a superior to a Cree settlement to keep the peace. Brokering this peace is complicated by several unexpected developments. First, a scheming scout (Thomas Gomez) has a few secrets that may upend the operation.
Second, a white farmer is killed and the man's wife (Penny Edwards) is taken captive by the Cree. It seems that a brave (Cameron Mitchell) has decided she would make a good bride for his brother, despite her strenuous objections. Power must deal with Mitchell's refusal to let the woman go. These are among the more tense scenes in the movie.
Meanwhile, another white captive is embroiled in the conflict, since he was near the site where the farmer was killed. This man (Robert Horton) is running from something but won't say what it is. Eventually Power learns that the guy had committed a bank robbery and escaped from prison. So besides saving Miss Edwards' life, Power has to make sure Horton is returned to the proper authorities. Of course, Horton has other ideas.
In order to successfully deal with these issues, Power in his red tunic, rides to the Cree settlement to speak to their leader (Stuart Randall). Power insists that the Cree must turn the captives over, and also they must go to an assigned reservation which they refuse to do. There is considerable haggling, and the chief is clearly reluctant to recognize the Queen's Law.
However, all this changes when a mirage convinces the chief that Power has the ability to perform magic. Naturally, Power exploits the superstitious beliefs of the Cree to his advantage. Soon he is engaged in a meeting with the chief's council, which is rather humorous.
Despite Power's alliance with the chief, Mitchell and his brother are still determined to keep Edwards as a bride. And in a western, we know this is building to a standoff. Mitchell has Edwards carried off into the mountains, and Power goes after them. Power receives assistance from a young native orphan (Anthony Earl Numkena). Oh yes, I should mention the orphan takes Power's name and becomes his adopted son, which is rather endearing.
While all of this is taking place, an elderly tribeswoman (Adeline De Walt Reynolds) sits quietly in the background. She is a wise old sage who communicates mostly by her facial expressions. But she does have one memorable line of dialogue. And when she talks, the people listen to her.
Fortunately, Power is able to rescue Edwards, and it is a foregone conclusion that they will marry. She will help Power raise the boy after they return to his command post. As for the Cree, they have now decided to surrender and travel to the reservation.
All in all this is not a bad way to spend an hour and a half. Tyrone Power would make one more western, freelancing at Universal the following year...in a smash hit called THE MISSISSIPPI GAMBLER.