Union Colonel Brackenby (
Melvyn Douglas) and his second-in-command, Captain Heath (
Glenn Ford), attempt to command a rather inept cavalry unit during the Civil War. General Willoughby (
Jim Backus) heads them out West on assignment rather than allowing them to foul things up where it counts. They soon get involved with Martha Lou, a confederate spy (
Stella Stevens) posing as a prostitute, and her boss, Jenny (
Joan Blondell) as well as a group of renegades and an Indian chief. In spite of their ridiculous slapstick antics, they manage to carry out their mission. This comedy was based on Company of Cowards, a novel by Jack Schaefer. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide