A Ticket to Tomahawk

Buy the Ticket to Tomahawk and you've bought a comedy, a musical and action packed western all in one. The great adventure starts when the train has to go from Epitaph to Tomahawk through the Colorado Rockies with 40 miles of track gone, hostlile Indians and a gang of henchmen. Ann Baxter gives a riveting performance as deputy Marshal Kit Dodge Jr, who is better at tottin a gun or knife than the men folk. Dan Daily shows his multiple talents as Johnny Behind-the-Deuces. Daily is skillful at singing, joking and negotiating which comes in handy when dealing with Chief Thundercloud. Walter Brennan as Terence Sweeny has never been better as the frustrated engineer who got more than he bargained for. Rory Calhoun as the stagecoach promoter Dakota plays a tough balancing act as the hired hand trying to play both sides of the fence.

Tomahawk is notable for the debut of Marilyn Monroe in a walk-on cameo as a chorus showgirl and Western star Jack Elam. Also featured is Victor Sen Yung who was Hop Sing of "Bonanza" fame. Will Wright plays the crusty old codger he is well noted for. Pawnee (Chief Yowlachie) adds the much needed protection with his own tomahawk as the faithful deterrent. Rounding out an excellent cast are Connie Gilchrist as Madame Adelaide, Arthur Hunnicutt as Sad Eyes and Charles Kemper as Chuckity. Baxter and Monroe went on to appear in All About Eve together the same year.