The Indian Fighter

Kirk Douglas stars as the titular character in the 1955 Andre De Toth directed western The Indian Fighter. Douglas plays Johnny Hawks, a man leading a wagon train of settlers through Indian country. Along the way he learns of a secret Indian gold mine and falls in love with the daughter of a Sioux chief, played by the luminous Elsa Martinelli. Hawks must contend with backstabbers in his company though, and the Chief’s son Grey Wolf, who doesn’t take too kindly to having the white man in his midst. Walter Matthau and Lon Chaney, Jr. contribute memorable supporting performances, but this is Kirk Douglas’ show, and he lights up the screen as a man just as fast with a fist as he is with a kiss.