Al Jennings of Oklahoma (1951)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Ray Nazarro

Writers:

Al J. Jennings (book) and
Will Irwin (book) ...

Release Date:

17 January 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Tagline:

THE BOLDEST BANDIT OF A LAWLESS ERA! (original ad - all caps)

Plot:

Bank robber serves his time in prison, tries to go straight.

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel | Based On Book | Character Name In Title

Cast

Dan Duryea	...	Al Jennings
Gale Storm	...	Margo St. Claire
Dick Foran	...	Frank Jennings
Gloria Henry	...	Alice Calhoun
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams	...	Lon Tuttle
Raymond Greenleaf	...	Judge Jennings
Stanley Andrews	...	Marshal Ken Slattery
John Ridgely	...	Railroad Detective Dan Hanes
James Millican	...	Ed Jennings
Harry Shannon	...	Fred Salter

Runtime:

79 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | USA:Approved (PCA #14616) | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Goofs:

Continuity: After killing Marsden, Jennings leaves the house and holsters his pistol, however in the next shot he has his pistol in his hand again

Quotes:

Al Jennings: There's an old saying about juries - the longer they're out, the better your chances.

Not a bad little film, but not much plot

For 1951, not a bad little Western, with some bright colour photography, but after it was over I thought there was little substance to it. A quick Google confirms that Jennings wasn't much success as a crook and that the film took lots of liberties with his story, though I couldn't determine whether the reward for his capture every topped $20,000, as shown in the film. What made his life interesting was his political career after release from prison, but I guess that wouldn't have added much to an "action" Western.

Having fled Oklahoma because he fears being betrayed by his fellow gang members, Jennings returns to them, which didn't seem too bright. And the botched final raid on the train and its meagre rewards seem to sum up his career as a bad man. But the posse wasn't too bright, either, with its 20 or so members failing to capture the depleted Jennings gang at the ranch, though at least this led to a chase and final showdown.

It was good to see a youngish John Dehner, and Guinn Williams in a role where his character wasn't too empty-headed.