Best of the Badmen (1951)

The outlaws of the Clanton and Younger gangs are the heroes of this fictionalized biography.

Director:

William D. Russell

Writers:

Robert Hardy Andrews (screenplay), John Twist (screenplay),

Stars:

Robert Ryan, Claire Trevor, Jack Buetel

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Ryan	...	Jeff Clanton
Claire Trevor	...	Lily
Jack Buetel	...	Bob Younger
Robert Preston	...	Matthew Fowler
Walter Brennan	...	'Doc' Butcher
Bruce Cabot	...	Cole Younger
John Archer	...	Curley Ringo
Lawrence Tierney	...	Jesse James
Barton MacLane	...	Joad
Tom Tyler	...	Frank James
Robert J. Wilke	...	Jim Younger (as Bob Wilke)
John Cliff	...	John Younger
Lee MacGregor	...	Lieutenant Blaine
Emmett Lynn	...	Oscar
Carleton Young	...	Wilson

Storyline

After the Civil War, Union Major Clanton captures survivors of Quantrill's Raiders, and gets them clemency at the cost of shooting a mob member. Convicted of murder by a kangaroo court, Clanton escapes and joins the former raiders in a gang devoted to robbing everything protected by the corrupt detective agency of his enemy Fowler; culminating in a personal showdown.

---

Plot Keywords:

husband wife relationship | bartender | henchman | held at gunpoint | post civil war | 

---

Taglines:

Here they come!

---

Genres:

Western

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 November 1951 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Der Rächer

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In several scenes immediately after being shot in the leg, Clanton's pant leg shows no holes or signs of blood.

---

Quotes

Stagecoach driver: You're Jeff Clanton. I've seen your picture!
Doc Butcher: Now what could you do with $5000 in a cemetery?

---

Connections

Follows Badman's Territory (1946)

User Reviews

routine, but that is the charm of the westerns of the fifties

I saw "Best of the Badmen" when I was nine years old, loved it could not stop talking about it for weeks. curious that it was b&w probably they were trying to cut costs by making part of the copies in a less expensive way. Few actors were as good as Robert Ryan, specially in westerns, and his presence is what most counts here. Same goes for Claire Trevor. I was a bit deceived with the James brothers, they are kind of insipid in the film, after seeing so many films about them and the Youngers we got spoiled and expect for a bit more of their character to be shown. Funny that Cole Younger acts as their leader (in the film), I don't think they would have accepted that. The story is pretty routine stuff, but that is exactly the charm of the westerns of the fifties. Tremendous difference between the Jack Buetel of "The Outlaw" and the "nice" Younger that he plays here. I greatly enjoyed seeing this western after so many years, it remains very good. (and in color)