Molly and Lawless John (1972)

Director:

Gary Nelson

Writer:

Terry Kingsley-Smith (writer)

Release Date:

1 January 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Plot:

Molly, the shy, romance-starved wife of an arrogant frontier sheriff, finds herself drawn to a prisoner in her husband's jail...

Plot Keywords:

Sheriff | Jail | Bare Chested Male | Nude Bathing | Beefcake

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

Vera Miles	...	Molly Parker
Sam Elliott	...	Johnny Lawler
Clu Gulager	...	Deputy Tom Clements
John Anderson	...	Sheriff Marvin Parker
Cynthia Myers	...	Dolly Winward
Charles Pinney	...	Reverend
Bob Westmoreland	...	Telegraph Operator
Melinda Chavaria	...	Pregnant Apache
Pasqualita Baca	...	Ancient Apache
George Le Bow	...	Marshal
Dave Burleson	...	Volunteer
Grady Hill	...	Deputy
Dick Bullock	...	Bill Bartley
Terry Kingsley-Smith	...	Man in Bed

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Cerrillos, New Mexico, USA

Soundtrack:

Take Me Home

Much more than just a little Western!

I came upon this little old Western because I like Sam Elliot in just about anything I see. I think he is a fine actor, underrated by many as just a one character actor. This early one proves them wrong. I thought that this movie had an early tone of the current independent movies being made. Also a little of a European quality to the way it was presented. Quiet, not a lot of background music. Sometimes seemingly slow, but well paced and always going somewhere. Sam Elliot's character of Johnny, was wonderfully played. We don't know him in the beginning, only his reputation. He reveals himself verbally at first, and by his actions as the movie progresses. Vera Miles as Molly, was so touching. A woman self described as once bright and fun when she was young, now afraid to speak. Her hopes and dreams gone with the dust of the town and aging without the much wanted children. Her husband, Marvin is the Sheriff. Softly played by John Anderson, he shows us how hard life has made him, and later his true caring underneath. This is a great script. It is about selfishness, and selflessness; the inability to change, and the ability to change; needing protection, and the empowering chance to protect. They just used a Western set as a backdrop. I wish that this great little movie could find wider distribution now with videos. I thought it was truly well played and well made!!