The Outlaw (1943)

Western legends Pat Garrett, Doc Holliday and Billy the Kid are played against each other over the law and the attentions of vivacious country vixen Rio McDonald.

Director:

Howard Hughes

Writer:

Jules Furthman (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Buetel, Jane Russell, Thomas Mitchell

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jack Buetel	...	Billy the Kid (as Jack Beutel)
Jane Russell	...	Rio McDonald
Thomas Mitchell	...	Pat Garrett
Walter Huston	...	Doc Holliday
Mimi Aguglia	...	Guadalupe
Joe Sawyer	...	Charley Woodruff
Gene Rizzi	...	Stranger who draws on The Kid

Storyline

Newly appointed sheriff Pat Garrett is pleased when his old friend Doc Holliday arrives in Lincoln, New Mexico on the stage. Doc is trailing his stolen horse, and it is discovered in the possession of Billy the Kid. In a surprising turnaround, Billy and Doc become friends. This causes the friendship between Doc and Pat to cool. The odd relationship between Doc and Billy grows stranger when Doc hides Billy at his girl, Rio's, place after Billy is shot. She falls for Billy, although he treats her very badly. Interaction between these four is played out against an Indian attack before a final showdown reduces the group's number.

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Plot Keywords:

billy the kid | doc holliday | new mexico | horse | sheriff | 

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Taglines:

The picture that couldn't be stopped!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

7 November 1946 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Geächtet

Filming Locations:

General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Howard Hughes Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Howard Hawks started as director but quit after 2 weeks, ostensibly to direct Sergeant York. But Howard Hughes, who had the dailies flown to Los Angeles daily, had complained that Hawks was not spending enough time filming, which probably precipitated his leaving. Hughes took over as director in December 1940 and announced all scenes would be re-shot by Gregg Toland, who replaced the original cinematographer, Lucien Ballard. However, screenwriter Jules Furthman filled in for Hughes as director on 31 December 1940 and often thereafter.

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Goofs

Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) appear in several scenes. Joshua tree occurs in southeastern California (mostly, southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and extreme southwestern Utah, but not in New Mexico, where the story takes place.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Townsman: Doc Holliday just got off the stagecoach! Do you want me and some of the boys to come along with you?
Pat Garrett: Why do ask that?
Townsman: Well, I certainly wouldn't want to fool around with him if I were alone.
Pat Garrett: I don't blame you, but I ain't gonna make no trouble for Doc Holliday. He's my best friend!

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Connections

Version of Billy the Kid (1941)

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Soundtracks

"Gwine to Rune All Night"
(1850) (uncredited)
("De Camptown Races")
Music by Stephen Foster
Played on piano offscreen in the saloon

User Reviews

Nursing the Outlaw

Jane Russell nurses Jack Buetel back to health - but, that's not all.

I've watched the film three times. The first time, I resisted. I watched with amazement… this movie has an incredible "look". I suppose it's a film made in the '40s, seen mostly in the '50s, looking very much like an early '30s "talkie" - but, ACTED IN SLOW MOTION! I wanted to dislike the film, but I really could not. I loved the saloon - reading the visible graffiti on the walls, never knowing who was going to shoot who, when, why...

When Mr. Buetel and Ms. Russell tumble in the hay, I recognized the scene from a dozen subsequent westerns; yet, it seemed suspenseful the way Mr. Hughes shot it here. I could not really state there is a rape (others may); and, I think, later scenes imply there was no rape. I believe the scene simply ended with her shirt torn.

There certainly is a lot of ambiguity! I agree there are some lines between the male actors which could be taken sexually. I caught those upon viewing the film during a second sitting. Early on, Mr. Huston wonders if Mr. Buetel might want to bunk with him if he doesn't "have a girl". BUT, Huston has Russell already lined up. There is also the age old question of whether the western hero needs his horse, or his girl, more. Of course, the western hero picks his horse! I believe these ambiguities add to the enjoyment of the film. They are additional things to think about during repeated viewing. During my second viewing, I just enjoyed the movie more… it's just so unusually interesting. With all "classic" films, I think about different meanings, and things going on… this movie has the ability to grow stronger thematically with repeated viewings. That's something I look for when rating a movie highly. A movie can take on a life of its own.

I love the performances… Mr. Mitchell and Huston are older, more experienced actors while Buetel and Russell are younger. They all work well together. I especially enjoy "Billy" and "Rio" as she nurses him to health. The most recent viewing (today) had me wondering about how the peculiar "look" of this film was achieved. It's very claustrophobic, but has some "location" stuff. I watched those scenes more carefully. I watched Mr. Buetel's guns during his "exchange" near the end. I noticed Ms. Russell's attire became more alluring with each scene.

I noticed the tombstone closing: "HERE LIES…" The tombstone is a "LIE". Could this play on words have been intended? This is a film I would call "chance art." I have no idea what effect the filmmakers were looking for - was it just intended as a showcase for Jane Russell's attributes? That was achieved. All the rest is icing. I submit that "The Outlaw" creates a unique and entertaining "world" of its own. The four main performers are riveting. I think "The Outlaw" is a world worth repeated revisiting.

Next, I need to keep my eyes on Billy the Kid's ears, and see when the blood drops appear on his shirt.

********** The Outlaw (2/5/43) Howard Hughes ~ Jack Buetel, Jane Russell, Walter Huston, Thomas Mitchell