Popcorn and Inspiration: ‘Rio Grande’: The Fantastic Finale to John Ford’s Cavalry Trilogy

(L–R) Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke (John Wayne), Kathleen Yorke (Maureen O’Hara), and Sgt. Maj. Timothy Quincannon  (Victor McLaglen), in “Rio Grande.” (Republic Pictures).

Passed | 1h 45min | Romance, Western | 1950

After I’d watched 1949’s “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,” I learned that it was part of director John Ford’s “Cavalry Trilogy.” I recently watched and reviewed the first film in the series, 1948’s “Fort Apache,” and now I’ve seen 1950’s “Rio Grande.” I’m actually glad that I viewed the first and third films back-to-back, as “Rio Grande” is nearly a sequel to “Fort Apache.”