

A cavalry sergeant, a white 'squaw,' and a baby nobody wants to claim—1957's most awkward road trip.
When Apache chief Nanchez is captured by the cavalry, his white squaw and infant son are returned to civilization by Sergeant Hook, but Nanchez escapes custody and attempts to re-claim his son.
Acting
Stanwyck's defiant exhaustion; McCrea's wounded decency.
Writing
The word 'squaw' used unironically—film doesn't flinch from ugliness.

Director
Charles Marquis Warren
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Jack Schaefer's short story—same author as 'Shane,' though this one's far less romanticized.
Susan Kohner, playing the 'mixed' son, was actually white—Hollywood's casting cowardice even for 1957.