Complete credited cast: | |||
Gary Cooper | ... | Maj. Alex 'Lex' Kearney | |
Phyllis Thaxter | ... | Erin Kearney | |
David Brian | ... | Austin McCool | |
Paul Kelly | ... | Lt. Col John Hudson | |
Philip Carey | ... | Capt. Edward Tennick | |
Lon Chaney Jr. | ... | Pete Elm (as Lon Chaney) | |
James Millican | ... | Matthew Quint | |
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams | ... | Sgt. Snow | |
Alan Hale Jr. | ... | Mizzell | |
Martin Milner | ... | Pvt. Olie Larsen | |
Wilton Graff | ... | Col. George Sharpe |
Major Lex Kearney, dishonorably discharged from the army for cowardice in battle, has actually volunteered to go undercover to try to prevent raids against shipments of horses desperately needed for the Union war effort. Falling in with the gang of jayhawkers and Confederate soldiers who have been conducting the raids, he gradually gains their trust and is put in a position where he can discover who has been giving them secret information revealing the routes of the horse shipments. Written by Doug Sederberg <vornoff@sonic.net>
The dates of the civil War stem from 1861 to 1865. In between, half a million men fought and died on both sides. Then Hollywood introduced the Western and then writers quickly retold the history depicting the many facets within the ranks of the two opposing camps. Here is one such story which if you don't look too closely, is interesting and confusing at the same time. The movie is called " Springfield Rifle " and stars one of the most enduring actors to filled the Silver Screen. Gary Cooper plays Maj. Alex 'Lex' Kearney a Union Officer who is cashiered out of the U. S. Army and branded a traitor. The audience however understands his cover as he joins the renegade outlaws who have been stealing herds of horses for the Confederacy. With danger threatening him on both sides, Kearney walks a tight-wire as he seeks out the ringleader of the outlaws. The movie is a cat-and-mouse game and Cooper is aptly supported with other notable western stars like. David Brian, Paul Kelly, Lon Chaney Jr. Alan Hale Jr. and Martin Milner as Pvt. Larsen. The entire cast assembles to provide real shoot-em-up action with the new Springfield Rifle and plenty of hair-raising excitement. Excellent western fare. ****