The Ramrodder (1969) 720P

The Ramrodder is better characterized as a nudie western. It predates the Supreme Court's re-definition of obscenity. Filmmakers were incorporating un-dressed breasts and buttocks, showing private hair and light bodily movement into various genres of film catering to drive-in audiences in the heartland.

Rancher Rick is our Ramrodder. After a three month cattle drive, he heads over to relieve some pressure with his favorite girl Lucy played by Julia Blackburn. While he was away, Ramrodder procured an agreement from the US Indian Office agent to allow the land of his local tribe to be declared a reservation. The Chief thanks him and gives him a very unique and valuable medallion. On the way back, he is attacked by a saddle-tramp bandit played by Bobby Beausoleil, is robbed of the medallion, and after a struggle, passes out from a concussion. Tuwana, a virgin Indian beauty played by Kathy Williams, stumbles upon Ramrodder and the two hit it off right away, despite Ramrodder being attached to Lucy and Tuwana being betrothed to the chief’s son. Carnage by saddle-tramp bandit continues as he attacks, rapes and kills the Chief’s daughter. The bandit drops the medallion during the attack which is found by the warriors. Rick is then wrongfully accused of the crime and the Indians begin to hunt him. Some of the warriors decide to take an eye for an eye and rape a poor innocent white girl. Tuwana warns Ramrodder and he turns himself into the tribe and professes his innocence. Tuwana backs him up and confesses that he found Ramrodder concussed and had sex with him and the medicine woman checks Tuwana’s stuff and confirms that she is telling the truth and is no longer a virgin. But the damage is done and the Indian agent, because of the rape of the white girl, revokes the tribes reservation, and the tribe is forced to move and become nomads. The movie ends with the Indians capturing the bandit and gutting him out.

There are a lot of sub-plots that are really an excuse to show more breasts, butts, and provocative motion. The producer/director and writer was Ed Forsyth (these guys used fake names fearing prosecution). Roger Gentry and Julia Blackburn were perfectly cast. Kathy Williams and Marsha Jordan did respectable jobs. 

Another little known fact: Significant parts of the movie was filmed at the Spahn Ranch. The ranch was the primary headquarters of the Manson Family. The filming took place just prior to horrific Tate-LaBianca murders. In fact, Bobby Beausoleil, who played the saddle-tramp bandit, gained notoriety shortly after the film's production due to his involvement in the Manson Family and the subsequent Tate-LaBianca murders.

The cinematography is excellent. The film quality is excellent. The plot is fun and does not stagnate. There is an abundance of gratuitous nudity. The term "ramrodder" has its roots in the word "ramrod," which originally referred to a rod used for ramming the charge down the barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm. Over time, ramrodder was used to describe the boss of the drive.