Rio Grande

John Wayne stars as Kirby York, a colonel at an army outpost along the U.S. Mexico border where the Apache are always a problem. When his son, Jeff (Claude Jarman Jr.), whom he hasnt seen in more than a decade, arrives at the fort after flunking out of West Point, Yorke treats him coldly, warning the young man not to expect preferential treatment, which Jeff assures him he doesnt want. Yorkes ex-wife, Kathleen (Maureen OHara), appears, intending to persuade Jeff to leave the army. Yorke refuses to do the necessary paperwork to release his son, a decision seconded by Jeff, who has begun to adapt to army life -- and before Kathleen can regroup for another attempt, the fort is attacked by the Apache. (official distributor synopsis)