The Guns of Fort Petticoat

source: The Guns of Fort Petticoat

The Guns of Fort Petticoat

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.

This film is one of hundreds of westerns churned out in the post-WWi era; in fact, westerns ruled the roost of cinema until the late 60s, most of which were made quickly, inexpensively, and predictably. Some of the big stars, who were able to command slightly larger budgets and better writers, were John Wayne, Randolph Scott, and WWII hero Audie Murphy. In this delightfully entertaining escapade, Murphy opposes the US Army's massacre of an Indian village populated with women and children, and, knowing the actions of the soldiers will lead to retribution, rides to his home state of Texas to warn the settlers (almost all of whom are, or course, women - the men being off fighting the civil war). Take a guess as to whether the women and Murphy survive and whether or not at least one of the women fall in love with him. Yeah, right. Anyway, you will not regret seeing this great example of the B- westerns that your grandparents grew up watching each weekend in double features for 35 cents.

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.

In 1864, in a Colorado fort, Lt. Frank Hewitt (Murphy) deserts after failing to talk his commanding officer, Col. Chivington (Ainslie Pryor) out of attacking an Indian village that has only women and children in it. The village is located on Sand Creek. Chivington and his company massacre the inhabitants, and their male survivors swear vengeance. The rest of the film is about Hewitt's race to inform the female settlers and children (the men are away fighting the Civil War) that they are in danger. To complicate matters, the settlers are Confederate, and Hewitt is on the Union side. Murphy is earnest and sincere in his role, and it's a relief to see him lose his temper in a film for a change. Kathryn Grant made no impression whatsoever, aside from being pretty. As Hannah Lacey, Emerson was the best player in the film. Whether she was ready to kill Hewitt at first sight, or turning thirty some women into soldiers, she was a funny, welcome presence.

When I first saw the movie title as a boy, I thought it might be something almost ridiculous, but now that I've seen it my thoughts have been somewhat amended. The storyline is brief: during the Civil War an army officer (played well by the veteran western actor Audie Murphy) leads a group of women from Texas against hostile, attacking Indians who want to destroy the old fort where the women are found. Again, I was ready to laugh when I saw the title, but I do not think that in real life I would have wanted to tangle with any of these women who, led by Murphy, became practically sharpshooters. They held off Indians and outlaws well. This cinematic piece was exciting and the action good, which is shown through the fact that the women were very emotional. In one point the matter of killing is addressed, so in one place the movie is controversial. Because of the beautiful scenery, exciting western action, and good story, this has become a favorite western of mine.

Audie Murphy plays a lieutenant who deserts the army so he can return to his Texas hometown to warn them about the impending Comanche attack, and ends up training a group of women who vary in degrees in personality, to defend their position. That's just an arduous task than the actual impending attack. A highly enjoyable Murphy western with great performances all round, especially from Hope Emerson, who is elected as sergeant. Plenty of action, suspense. Audie is really good here and it's pity he didn't stick with Harry Joe Brown ( who produced the great Randolph Scott films). Along with Tumbleweed, drums across the river and Ride clear of Diablo, the guns of Petticoat is one of his best 50's westerns.

The Guns Of Fort Petticoat is a nice little western flick. Telling the story of Lt. Frank Hewitt, a man who deserts the Union when his colonel decides to attack friendly Indians returning to Sand Creek, resulting in the Sand Creek massacre, he has to prepare a townstead of women to defend themselves as Indians commit attacks in the state in retaliation to the massacre. This is a neat movie. The idea of women defending their homestead is a bold move, but it works out. The story has everything to expect in a western: action, romance, suspense. If you never saw this, I recommend doing so.