The Guns of Fort Petticoat (1957)
Opposing his commanding officer's decision to attack a group of innocent Indians and wipe them out, Lt. Frank Hewitt leaves his post and heads home to Texas. He knows that the attack will send all of the tribes on the warpath and he wants to forewarn everyone. He gets a chilly reception back home however. With most of the men away having enlisted in the Confederate army Frank, a Union officer, is seen by the local women as a traitor. He convinces them of the danger that lies ahead and trains them to repel the attack that will eventually come.
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Just perfect...
If you don't like this, we can't be friends.
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.
Audie Murphy plays Union officer Lt. Frank Hewitt, who disobeys his officer's orders to massacre Native Americans at Sand Creek. He deserts his unit as he knows the massacre will only incite the tribe to take revenge upon American citizens. He heads home for Texas, where his friends and neighbours consider him a traitor, for defecting the calvary. With the proof of an impending tribal attack, Hewitt must train the women to defend themselves, as all the men are away at war. He trains them at an abandoned missionary, and when the angry Indians arrive, the women defeat them. Hewitt the deserter is found not-guilty during court-martial proceedings, however his former commander is not so lucky, and is charged with the Sand Creek carnage. This film is surprisingly very good. The cast gives solid performances, with the stand-out mention of Hope Emerson and young Kathryn Grant playing Murphy's feisty love interest. There are some good tense and gripping scenes, that take place during the attack on the mission. Murphy's performance is cool as he whips the woman into fighting shape. I really enjoyed this entertaining film and suggest it's worth a look.
The man who left the mission did not tell the Indians about the women at the mission. That was done by three "bad guys" he told. As was usual for movies of the 50's, they came to bad end. The theme is a morality play as were most westerns. It was also of interest to see Kathryn Grayson before she married Bing Crosby. There is little to give one a reason to watch except for nostalgia. It must have been released as a "B" movie even though Audie Murphy was a star of sorts. For an hour of time requiring suspension of belief and no worries about thinking, this is just the one to watch. I would rate it as a five at most! You can probably catch it on cable on the Western Channel.
I wonder why no one who commented on this movie before noticed how this is the sort of scenario that made El Alamo the thrilling film it was, and that led to so many re-makes. There is a surrounded group, with no escape, and decided not to surrender to a bitter enemy... That this group was of women only, and that they died battling with bravery, makes me wonder where the cable televisions are, what video producer will discover this gem first - a gem it is, as people who saw this film only had praise for it! I'll be the first to buy a VHS or DVD copy of this film. Just tell me where it is.
i have seen this film several times. also, i am looking forward to seeing it again on television this week.my only regret is that when we visited Arlington cemetery in 1990 we did not visit Audie Murphy's grave.