1955's "The Indian Fighter" was a star vehicle for Kirk Douglas made by his own Bryna production company, its first feature film since forming in 1949, with Andre de Toth as director and Italian newcomer Elsa Martinelli literally making a splash as female lead. Shooting took place on location in Bend, Oregon, a lavish Western in which Kirk's Johnny Hawks is the titular character, a free spirit and former Confederate roaming the wilderness following the Civil War, acting as guide for a wagon train destined for (where else?) Oregon, where Sioux Chief Red Cloud (Eduard Franz) has declared death as punishment for any member of his tribe who reveals the location of hidden gold. Hawks has greater reason to keep peace with his red brothers now that the chief's daughter Onahti (Elsa Martinelli) has grown into beautiful womanhood, catching his eye during a nude swim on his way back to the fort of Captain Trask (Walter Abel). Walter Matthau (in only his second screen role) and Lon Chaney instigate all the trouble as gold seekers using 'fire water' to entice weak willed Indians, leading to a thrilling attack on the fort where a massacre is certain without the timely intervention of Hawks, accused of deserting his post just to see Onahti. An early effort to depict sympathetic Indians with a code of ethics to match their white counterparts, one can see how easily both sides can be deceived in the pursuit of justice, a magnificent film all around with its CinemaScope photography and realistic characterizations. Lon Chaney hasn't much chance to outshine legendary scene stealer Matthau, but among his few moments in particular (a bit of Lennie-like contemplation) is his inept attempt to trail Johnny Hawks, who won't be denied the opportunity to slip away and see his new lady friend. While Matthau's Wes Todd is a slippery snake capable of talking his way out of trouble, Chaney's Chivington is like a bull in a china shop, unable to escape the penalty of his numerous lies, such as claiming that his captured partner was scalped and killed (Walter Abel's fort captain makes the fatal error of allowing the pair to leave with the wagon train, resulting in yet greater harm). Douglas would continue to prosper with Bryna over the years, later earning the rights to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" as a vehicle for himself, ultimately winning a Best Picture Oscar for his son Michael as acting producer in 1975, Jack Nicholson replacing Kirk in the lead.
Review of The Indian Fighter
