The Guns of Fort Petticoat

This movie was first released in 1958, is in technicolor and full screen 1.33.1 and runs 81 minutes. The picture and sound quality is very good and the action scenes are well made. The film is based on story by William Harrison, photography by Ray Rennehan. It is a joint production of Brown/Murphy and directed by George Marshall.
The cavalry has made every effort to keep Indians on their reservation. The movie starts with Lt Hewitt(AUDIE MURPHY) finding some Indians out of reservation. He reports to the headquarters, but the army wants to teach the Indians a lesson on San-Creek. Lt Hewitt is arrested as he disagrees with the army. He escapes trying to warn the settlers of an Indian attack. The army charges a peaceful Indian village and kills many. Lt Hewitt heads for 'JONESVILLE' on the Texas border. He is not welcomed in this south town, but they change their mind when he helps them repel the Indian attack. He heads to meet 'Stella' (who is already married) and he is not welcome there either. Then he brings in 'Dora Hartley' dead, by the Comanche, to show the people, so they may believe him. They bury her in the mission, full of women (Men were fighting away). Lt Hewitt appoints Miss Hannah as second in command and she appoints 'Anne Martin' and Stella as her assistants. He gets the women trained in shooting. They use the church to pack water and supplies. Then smoke is seen on the hills in the distant.
How will this end? Will the Indians come and attack? Are the women tough enough to face any attack? Will they believe Lt Hewitt? What will the army do to Lt Hewitt?
AUDIE LEON MURPHY was born on 20.6.1924 in Kingston, Texas , to a very poor Irish family. He was 6th of 12 children. His father abandoned the family in 1936, so he had to drop out of school to support the family. His mother died when he was 15. His dream to join the military was dashed when he was turned down twice for being short(5' 5") and under weight(50 kg). When later accepted, he became most decorated American soldier of World War II. He received MEDAL OF HONOR and 38 additional medals and citations. After the War, he suffered from depression and nightmares. In september 1945, JAMES CAGNEY, invited him to Hollywood. His book in 1949, of his autobiography "TO HELL AND BACK" became a national best seller, which in 1955, was made into a film. He made 44 films, 33 of them westerns, in 25 years. He was also a successful country music song writer. He was married twice and had 2 children with PAMELA ARCHER, Terry(1952) and James(1954). Audie Murphy was killed on 28.5.1971, aged 46, when his private plane crashed into BUSH MOUNTAIN, Virginia.
Some of his westerns are:-
(1) Whispering Smith 1959
(2) Apache Rifles 1964
(3) The Dual at Silver Creek 1952
(4) No Name on The Bulliet 1959
(5) Gunfight at Comanche Creek 1964
(6) Ride Clear of Diablo 1954
(7) Night Passage 1957
(8) Gunsmoke 1953
(9) Six Black Horses 1962
(10)Walk The Proud Land 1956
(11)Unforgiven 1960
(12)Posse From Hell 1960
(13)Gunpoint 1966
Being a western fan, I enjoyed watching this Movie.
Watch and ENJOY.

Audie Murphy calls his posse of women, his 'men'; they're armed, laid up in a sort of fortified mission and awaiting Indian attack after a reprisal.

Lt. Frank Hewitt, (Murphy) is an Army deserter and on the run, back to his home in Texas. He has refused to take part in an attack on Indians at Sand Creek but when said Indians are out for revenge for the attack, he chances upon this ramshackle group of women and children.

Much of the (shortish) film is taken up by trying to prepare the women for imminent battle. Giving them firing practice with rifles and generally a battle of wits and the sexes as he has to bully and cajole them into new thinking and tactics. Hope Emerson, at 6'2" and 230 pounds, a formidable lady by any standards takes to the challenge with gusto and enthusiasm, whilst others, especially ones with strong religious beliefs cannot abhor fighting and don't so easily, whilst Kathryn Grant, a young feisty woman, becomes romantically entwined with Frank Hewitt.

It's quite a good film, quite likeable, but not quite enough for four stars. There's good comarderie and dialogue and some neat action scenes when they come. However, Audie Murphy never really struck with me, his persona, or perceived one always seeming a little bland. He looks just too boyish and sweet to be bossing these women around, whereas someone with more gravitas and snarl would make for a more interesting film.

That's just a personal view and I know Audie Murphy has his fans out there, too.

Columbia Pictures Corporation presents "THE GUNS OF FORT PETTICOAT" (1957) (82 min/Color) -- Starring Audie Murphy, Kathryn Grant, Hope Emerson, Jeff Donnell & Jeanette Nolan

Directed by George Marshall

Cavalryman Lt. Frank Hewitt (Audie Murphy) deserts the Union Army to warn former Texas neighbors of impending Indian attacks triggered by Army massacre. He overcomes initial distrust and convinces the homesteaders (all women whose men are away fighting in the Confederate Army) to take refuge in an abandoned mission. He trains them to fight and shoot in anticipation of the attack. The only other man at the mission runs away o save his scalp and ends up leading the Indians back to the mission. Surrounded and outnumbered, the defenders prepare for the final assault

The cast and characters are interesting, Audie Murphy gives a very good performance letting us in on something that could happen. Entertaining little gem that all but forgotten.

Good direction by George Marshall, with some of the best supporting cast around Jeanette Nolan, Hope Emerson, Jeff Donnell and Kathryn Grant (Mrs Bing Crosby).

Wonderful character actor Ray Teal, who was one of the most versatile character actors in the business. In his almost 40-year career he played everything from cops to gunfighters to sheriffs to gangsters to a judge at the Nuremberg War Crimes trials. He could play a kindly grandfather in one film and a heartless, sadistic killer. Was Sheriff Roy Coffee on the long-running western series "Bonanza" (1959),

BIOS:
1. George Marshall (Director)
Date of Birth: 29 December 1891 - Chicago, Illinois
Date of Death: 17 February 1975 - Los Angeles, California

2. Audie Murphy [aka: Audie Leon Murphy]
Date of Birth: 20 June 1924 - Kingston, Texas
Date of Death: 28 May 1971 - near Roanoke, Virginia

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 82 min on DVD/VHS ~ Columbia Pictures Corporation ~ (May 7, 1997)