Springfield Rifle (1952): Cast & Plot
Springfield Rifle is a 1952 war western directed by André De Toth, starring Gary Cooper as Maj. Alex 'Lex' Kearney, Ben Corbett and Michael Chapin. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- André De Toth
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Springfield Rifle About?
The premise of Springfield Rifle without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Major Lex Kearney, discharged for cowardice, volunteers to go undercover to stop raids on Union horse shipments. His mission is vital to Union war effort, as the horses are needed for cavalry. He infiltrates a gang of jayhawkers and Confederate soldiers, gains their trust, and works to uncover the informant leaking the routes of the livestock.
Springfield Rifle Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- american civil war
- freebooter
- new mexico territory
- courage
- wilhelm scream
- u.s. cavalry horses
- rifle
- confederate spy
- spy ring
- based on story
- u.s. army major
- husband wife reunion
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- husband wife estrangement
- counter intelligence agent
- double agent
- top secret mission
- colorado
- horseback riding
- new weapon
- southern sympathizer
- cover story
- secret code
- saved from hanging
- springfield rifle
- espionage thriller
- private detective
- false accusation
- murder
- horse rustling
- gun battle
- starting a fire
- posing as a traitor
- reinstatement
- head of intelligence
- military intelligence
- father son reunion
- reversal of fortune
- spy thriller
- union army
- counter intelligence operation
- traitor in the ranks
- horse
- punched in the face
- gun
- husband wife relationship
- ambush
- framed as a traitor
- wagon goes over a cliff
- dishonorable discharge
- court martial
Springfield Rifle Cast & Characters
Gary Cooper leads the cast as Maj. Alex 'Lex' Kearney, with Ben Corbett as Sergeant Major (uncredited) and Michael Chapin as Jamie Kearney (uncredited). Directed by André De Toth; 38 actors are credited in all.
- Director André De Toth
-
Gary Cooper as Maj. Alex 'Lex' Kearney - Ben Corbett as Sergeant Major (uncredited)
- Michael Chapin as Jamie Kearney (uncredited)
- Phyllis Thaxter as Erin Kearney
Also Starring in Springfield Rifle
· 34 more- Philip Carey Capt. Edward Tennick
- Lon Chaney Jr. Pete Elm (as Lon Chaney)
- Paul Kelly Lt. Col John Hudson (Ft. Hedley CO)
- Vince Barnett Cook (uncredited)
- James Brown Pvt. Ferguson (uncredited)
- Fred Kelsey Barfly (uncredited)
- Dick Gordon Man in Corridor (uncredited)
- Edward Hearn Calhoun (uncredited)
- Guinn "Big Boy" Williams Sgt. Snow
- Philo McCullough Barfly (uncredited)
- James Millican Det. Matthew Quint
- Jack Tornek Trooper (uncredited)
- Stuart Hall Judge (uncredited)
- Ralph Sanford Barfly (uncredited)
- Art Felix Indian (uncredited)
- Alan Hale Jr. Mizzell
Show all 38 cast members Show fewer cast members
- George Eldredge Judge Advocate (uncredited)
- Rory Mallinson Barfly (uncredited)
- Artie Ortego Spectator at Ceremony (uncredited)
- Wilton Graff Col. George Sharpe
- George Sowards Trooper (uncredited)
- William Fawcett Cpl. Ramsey (uncredited)
- Richard Hale Gen. Halleck (uncredited)
- Martin Milner Pvt. Olie Larsen
- Fess Parker Jim Randolph (uncredited)
- Mike Ragan Red (uncredited)
- David Brian Austin McCool, Raider Leader
- Ric Roman Guard (uncredited)
- Nedrick Young Sgt. Poole (uncredited)
- William Steele Trooper (uncredited)
- Tony Urchel Indian (uncredited)
- Jack Woody Sims (uncredited)
- Ewing Mitchell Capt. Spencer (uncredited)
- Poodles Hanneford Cpl. Hamel (uncredited)
More from André De Toth
More films directed by André De Toth, best-rated first: House of Wax, Play Dirty, Gold for the Caesars and The Mongols.
Springfield Rifle Plot Summary
What happens in Springfield Rifle from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
During the Civil War, the Union Army faces a desperate need for horses to move troops and supplies. In Colorado, a Confederate spy feeds freebooting horse rustlers with precise information about the timing and routes of the herds heading north, allowing them to seize and sell the animals to the South. Major Lex Kearney [Gary Cooper] is publicly drummed out of the Union Army after abandoning his herd when outnumbered four-to-one, and a harsh stain of cowardice marks him for life. His disgrace deepens at home, where his wife Erin Kearney [Phyllis Thaxter] cruelly tells him their harried son has run away in shame.
Full summary
The whole story of Springfield Rifle, scene by scene
Springfield Rifle Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Springfield Rifle.
How Well Do You Know Springfield Rifle?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Major Lex Kearney?
Springfield Rifle Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “Gegenspionage” and “La maschera di fango”.
- Also known as
-
- Gegenspionage
- La maschera di fango
- El honor del capitán Lex
- La mission du Commandant Lex
- L’honor del comandant Lex
- Renegado Heróico
- Springfieldka
- Стрелок из Спрингфилда
- 콜로라도의 혈전
- スプリングフィールド銃
- Tropem Koniokradów
- Ölüm Harbi
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- 火海神枪
- Springfieldska puška
- 火海神槍
Seen Springfield Rifle?
Movies Like Springfield Rifle
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Gun That Won the West, The Great Missouri Raid and Cavalry Scout.
Springfield Rifle FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Springfield Rifle, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Springfield Rifle?
Springfield Rifle runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was Springfield Rifle released?
Springfield Rifle was released on October 22, 1952.
Who directed Springfield Rifle?
Springfield Rifle was directed by André De Toth.
More films by André De Toth Who is in the cast of Springfield Rifle?
Springfield Rifle stars Gary Cooper as Maj. Alex 'Lex' Kearney, Ben Corbett as Sergeant Major (uncredited) and Michael Chapin as Jamie Kearney (uncredited), among 38 credited actors.
Does Springfield Rifle have a post-credit scene?
No. Springfield Rifle has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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