Escort West (1958)

In 1865 Nevada, an ex-Confederate soldier (Victor Mature) and his 10 year old daughter (Reba Waters, who looks 14) are traveling West when they come across the three survivors of an Indian massacre: two sisters (Elaine Stewart, Faith Domergue) traveling to Oregon and a black quartermaster (Rex Ingram, THIEF OF BAGDAD). He takes it upon himself to escort them through hostile Indian territory and to the safety of a cavalry camp. Directed by Francis D. Lyon, this unpretentious western programmer nicely shot in B&W CinemaScope isn't good enough to be called a sleeper but it's good enough to hold your attention for an hour and 16 minutes. It generates a decent amount of suspense and the script gives the actors an opportunity to develop a semblance of characterization. With Slim Pickens, Leo Gordon (who co-wrote the screenplay), William Ching, Noah Beery, Ken Curtis, Harry Carey Jr. and as the film's chief Indian baddie, X Brands (I kid you not, that's how he's billed).