Roughshod begins out on the range in the old west as three convicts who have just broken out of the penitentiary are on the loose and murder three cowboys in cold blood. They are led by a psychopath, Lednov (John Ireland), and you might surmise at this juncture that the film is about their actions and eventual capture. But actually the plot about these criminals is only tangential to the story.
Instead, Roughshod covers two themes: the relationship between a cowboy named Clay and his younger (teenage) brother Steve (Claude Jaman Jr.). They are on their way to their ranch in Sonora, California and have a herd of ten horses which they must deliver there. The second theme involves a group of four "saloon girls" (presumably women of ill repute) who have just been expelled from a small town and end up stranded after their wagon breaks down. Clay and Steve agree to take the four women to the first ranch they come to on the trail.
The stories of the four women are a mixed bag. Marcia (Martha Hyer) is soon picked up by a boyfriend and leaves so we find out nothing more about her. Elaine (Jeff Donnell) is depressed for unexplained reasons and is dropped off at the first ranch run by Ma and Pa Wyatt which turns out to be the home of her parents. While we learn nothing more about the nature of her depression (possibly homesick without wanting to admit it), the Wyatts have a troubling encounter (prior to Clay and Steve's arrival) with Lednov and his dangerous gang.
Helen (Myrna Dell), who one can describe as the unlikable "angry one," ends up staying with an Irish prospector who's eventually murdered by Lednov. That leaves the star of the film, Mary, played by the always enjoyable Gloria Grahame (known mainly for her femme fatale film noir roles). Here she's thoroughly sassy and goes up against Clay who really doesn't want her along on the trek to California. Halfway through, Mary tries to drive off in a wagon and wrecks it, almost getting killed in the process.
Clay basically agreed to have Mary come with them since she was helping brother Steve with his abc's. After the wagon incident, he has no choice but to put her on a stagecoach to the next town. The climax comes when Clay and Steve finally confront Lednov and company-there's a shootout, all the bad guys are killed but Steve sustains a flesh wound.
Back in town where Steve is being treated, Mary shows up to comfort the teenager. Clay obviously appreciates it, realizes that she's really the woman for him and they end up in a sensual kiss at film's end.
Roughshod is a mildly entertaining rom-com with enough violent scenes for (mainly) male western aficionados. Grahame has such magnetism that it's worth watching this film just to see her welcome performance. Sterling (who was primarily known for his stint on the Topper TV back in the early 50s) does well as the reluctant romantic foil to the iconic, energy-laden Grahame. Special mention for Claude Jaman Jr., a noted child actor who later ran the San Francisco International Film Festival for 15 years until 1980.
Instead, Roughshod covers two themes: the relationship between a cowboy named Clay and his younger (teenage) brother Steve (Claude Jaman Jr.). They are on their way to their ranch in Sonora, California and have a herd of ten horses which they must deliver there. The second theme involves a group of four "saloon girls" (presumably women of ill repute) who have just been expelled from a small town and end up stranded after their wagon breaks down. Clay and Steve agree to take the four women to the first ranch they come to on the trail.
The stories of the four women are a mixed bag. Marcia (Martha Hyer) is soon picked up by a boyfriend and leaves so we find out nothing more about her. Elaine (Jeff Donnell) is depressed for unexplained reasons and is dropped off at the first ranch run by Ma and Pa Wyatt which turns out to be the home of her parents. While we learn nothing more about the nature of her depression (possibly homesick without wanting to admit it), the Wyatts have a troubling encounter (prior to Clay and Steve's arrival) with Lednov and his dangerous gang.
Helen (Myrna Dell), who one can describe as the unlikable "angry one," ends up staying with an Irish prospector who's eventually murdered by Lednov. That leaves the star of the film, Mary, played by the always enjoyable Gloria Grahame (known mainly for her femme fatale film noir roles). Here she's thoroughly sassy and goes up against Clay who really doesn't want her along on the trek to California. Halfway through, Mary tries to drive off in a wagon and wrecks it, almost getting killed in the process.
Clay basically agreed to have Mary come with them since she was helping brother Steve with his abc's. After the wagon incident, he has no choice but to put her on a stagecoach to the next town. The climax comes when Clay and Steve finally confront Lednov and company-there's a shootout, all the bad guys are killed but Steve sustains a flesh wound.
Back in town where Steve is being treated, Mary shows up to comfort the teenager. Clay obviously appreciates it, realizes that she's really the woman for him and they end up in a sensual kiss at film's end.
Roughshod is a mildly entertaining rom-com with enough violent scenes for (mainly) male western aficionados. Grahame has such magnetism that it's worth watching this film just to see her welcome performance. Sterling (who was primarily known for his stint on the Topper TV back in the early 50s) does well as the reluctant romantic foil to the iconic, energy-laden Grahame. Special mention for Claude Jaman Jr., a noted child actor who later ran the San Francisco International Film Festival for 15 years until 1980.