The Bushwhackers (1951)

Plot here has Confederate veteran Jeff Waring arriving in Independence, Missouri shortly after the Civil War, and intending never again to use a gun. He finds that rancher Artemus Taylor, ... See full summary »

Director:

Rod Amateau

Writers:

Tom Gries (screenplay), Rod Amateau (screenplay)

Stars:

John Ireland, Wayne Morris, Lawrence Tierney

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Ireland	...	Jefferson Waring
Wayne Morris	...	Marshal John Harding
Lawrence Tierney	...	Sam Tobin
Dorothy Malone	...	Cathy Sharpe
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Artemus Taylor (as Lon Chaney)
Myrna Dell	...	Norah Taylor
Frank Marlowe	...	Peter Sharpe
William Holmes	...	'Ding' Bell (as Bill Holmes)
Jack Elam	...	Cree
Ward Wood	...	Second Henchman (as Bob Wood)
Charles Trowbridge	...	Justin Stone
Norman Leavitt	...	Deputy Yale
Stuart Randall	...	Slocum
George Lynn	...	Guthrie
Gordon Wynn	...	John Quigley (as Gordon Wynne)

Storyline

Plot here has Confederate veteran Jeff Waring arriving in Independence, Missouri shortly after the Civil War, and intending never again to use a gun. He finds that rancher Artemus Taylor, an arthritic despot, and his henchies, Sam Tobin and Cree, are forcing out the settlers in order to claim their land for the incoming railroad. The plot nearly predates "The Great Train Robbery" in age but the gritty execution and well-acted performances take it out of the norm... way out, in a couple of instances. Brassy Myrna Dell is on hand as Taylor's independent daughter, only slightly less meaner than her father, and the always welcome Dorothy Malone is the pretty school marm on the side of good. Needless to say, Ireland's passive outlook on life changes before the end.

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Plot Keywords:

female gunfighter | ex confederate | opening action scene

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Taglines:

REVENGE - Frightening in it's Naked Fury!

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

October 1951 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Rebel

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jack Broder Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Jefferson Waring: I can't feel a thing for ya, Taylor. You're a beaten old man and I'm not sorry. You've ruined so many lives yours isn't even a down payment.

User Reviews

a civil war vet, turned pacifist, becomes involved in a range war

At times this seems like two separate movies:the first half is a mature study of a disgruntled war vet-the second half degenerates into a routine shoot 'em up. Ireland is great as the brooding war vet, Tierney(as in "Resevoir Dogs")the sullen villain. Chaney is reminiscent of Barrymore as the wheel-chair bound cattle baron. Highlight of the film is Chaney's damning accusation "You lose, soldier. You lose again!" Once the fireworks begin,all is predictable. Morris shows flashes of real talent as the corrupt town sheriff; Dell is good as the vixen. This one almost seems to be a pimer for the Ireland directed "Hannah Lee" that was released the following year. Worth staying up for, or at least setting the VCR.