Whilst not the most naturally obvious of casting here, the dynamic between the Calamity Jane-esque "Mary Stuart" (Eleanor Parker) and trapper "Bushrod" (Robert Taylor) works quite well. He is a bit of an heart-breaker who has an altercation with some Indians in the Kentucky wilderness and is luckily saved when she comes to his rescue. She takes him to her family's settlement where she lives with her father "Cadmus" (a slightly understated Victor McLaglen) and her four brothers. They take to him, he takes to them - and he stays a little longer than planned starting an amiably comedic will they/won't they relationship with "Mary Stuart". Now here is a woman who is determined to get her man! It's all very predictable, but along the way we have some fun escapades with the Indians and the brothers - including Russ Tamblyn - with plenty of fisticuffs, bows-and-arrows, tomahawks, and some engaging role-reversal, raccoon-clad, entertainment. It's a bit over-scripted and Roy Rowland struggles to keep the initially quickly paced action and dialogue sustained throughout, but it's still quite a decent watch that puts a different slant on the pioneering west.
Review of Many Rivers to Cross
