Purely Joyful Movie!

Load of rubbish!!

A Disappointing Continuation

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

A western that was pretty notorious when it was released but seems tame by today's standards. It's at least partly directed by Howard Hawks, although Howard Hughes gets the sole screen credit as director. The movie was filmed in 1941 but sat on the shelf for two years due to all the hullabaloo over Jane Russell's cleavage. The story concerns gunfighter Doc Holliday (Walter Huston), outlaw Billy the Kid (Jack Buetel), and lawman Pat Garrett (Thomas Mitchell). Basically it goes like this: Pat and Doc are friends. Then Billy shows up and Doc takes a liking to him, which Pat doesn't like. Then Doc's girlfriend Rio (Jane Russell) takes a liking to Billy, which Doc doesn't like. So then the four of them are all circling each other and liking or not liking each other as the plot calls for. Historically speaking it's pretty laughable but it's a movie not a documentary so I give it a wide berth on factual accuracy.Walter Huston and Thomas Mitchell are both screen legends. They've done better than this but they still do good work here, elevating an otherwise pedestrian movie to something watchable. Busty Jane Russell makes her screen debut here. She's gorgeous, of course, but the role requires little else of her. Also, despite her being the primary selling point for this movie for over half a century, she's not the star. Jack Buetel also makes his screen debut but nobody remembers him for anything other than this. He didn't do another movie until the '50s and then some TV work for a decade before retiring. He's the weakest actor in this cast for sure. Vets Huston and Mitchell seem to be propping him up in every scene he has with them. It's really hard to dislike any movie with cinematography by the great Gregg Toland. His work is probably the best thing about this. Well, that and Russell's bosom. It's a slow and talky movie, which is made all the worse by the film's length and the bad dialogue. The script is terrible but there are some pretty unintentionally funny exchanges between the characters. Try not to laugh during a certain character's funeral scene. Also this movie features some of the worst misuse of music I've ever had the misfortune of experiencing. The music is obtrusive and seems to punctuate every scene, whether it's an action scene or comedy or romantic or whatever -- it just never stops! So do I recommend it? Well, obviously it's a must-see if you're a fan of Russell, Huston, or the two Howards. I suppose any good film buff should also see it for the history behind it as well as the talent involved. But no I wouldn't recommend it to any casual viewer just interested in seeing an entertaining movie. Judged objectively this is pretty bad. But there is worth in it for certain viewers, like myself, who are a fan of older films...and also a fan of bazoombas.

At least wily old Walter Huston looks like he's having a good time burlesquing his character. That may be the only redeeming feature of this otherwise god-awful mess. Oh yes, there are at least two more redeeming features, and I like the way her tops sag lower and lower as time goes on. At least that kept me interested. Certainly nothing else did. There's no story to speak of, only a series of poorly written, sometimes pointless encounters.Some reviewers see a subtext about trust and friendship. Maybe so, but it looks more like a homo-erotic triangle that the makers (Hughes & co.) were having fun with, especially when the Tchaikovski love theme accompanies Pat's reconciliation with Doc. No need to belabor the limp pacing, the horrible scoring, the meandering script, or the inept Beutel. Actually, my sympathies lie with Russell whose uncertain presence sort of dangles as she tags along after the guys. But then, her best years lie ahead, unlike those of the guys. Then too, she's the only reason this rich man's plaything wasn't consigned to the dust bin long ago—a place where it so richly belongs.

More famous for Jane Russell's curves, the furore they caused, and Howard Hughes' resulting struggles to have the movie released, than for anything else. Still, it is a reasonable story, though the plot verges on the random from time to time. Howard Hughes' direction is OK, though maybe a bit wayward in spells. It should be remembered that, for all his fame in the movie business, Howard Hughes was essentially a producer. He only directed two movies - this and Hell's Angels (1930). Good performance by Jack Beutel, especially, as Billy the Kid. Clint Eastwood would have taken cues from his cool and confident demeanor. Walter Huston is solid as Doc Holliday. This all said, Jane Russell is the best thing about this movie. Jane Russell, or, more accurately her assets, steal(s) the show. She is stunningly beautiful. So curvy that Hughes had problems getting the movie released. The movie is very tame by today's standards, but by 1943 standards it was regarded as semi- pornographic.Worth seeing, for Jane Russell, and for historic reasons, as this is a movie that help push the boundaries of artistic freedom.

Jack Buetel (September 5, 1915 – June 27, 1989) was an American film and television actor.Born in Dallas, Texas, Buetel moved to Los Angeles, California in the late 1930s with the intention of establishing a film career. Unable to find such work, he was employed as an insurance clerk when he was noticed by an agent who was impressed by his looks.Introduced to Howard Hughes, who was about to begin filming The Outlaw, Buetel was signed to play the lead role as Billy the Kid, with the previously signed David Bacon being dropped from the film. Hughes also signed another newcomer, Jane Russell, for the female lead, and realizing the inexperience of his two stars, also signed veteran actors Thomas Mitchell and Walter Huston.Buetel was signed to a standard seven-year contract at $150 per week and was assured by Hughes that he would become a major star. Filmed in late 1940 and early 1941, The Outlaw officially premiered in 1943 but was not widely seen until 1946. It was notable for suggesting the act of sexual intercourse, uncommon in mainstream movies of the era, and for allowing characters to "sin on film", without a suitable punishment also being depicted, in violation of the Production Code. Much of the publicity surrounding the release of the film focused on Jane Russell, and she established a solid film career, despite critics giving her performance in The Outlaw poor reviews.Buetel's performance was also highly criticised, and he languished with Hughes refusing to allow him to work. The director Howard Hawks tried to secure his services for the film Red River (1948), but after Hughes refused to allow Buetel to take part, Montgomery Clift was chosen and Clift went on to an active film career.In 1951 Buetel appeared in Best of the Badmen, his first film appearance in eleven years. Over the next few years he appeared in five more films, and made infrequent appearances on television. In 1956, he landed the role of 41-year-old Jeff Taggert in Edgar Buchanan's syndication western series, Judge Roy Bean. Others who appeared regularly in the 39-episode series, set in Langtry, Texas, were Jackie Loughery, X Brands, Tristram Coffin, Glenn Strange, and Lash La Rue. Buetel's last acting role was in a 1961 episode of Wagon Train. He also appeared as himself in the 1982 Night of 100 Stars television special.He died in Portland, Oregon, and was buried at Portland Memorial Park.The first time I saw this movie was in 1950 in a local cinema in Barcelona,(​​double session). in those days was something daring for a film the scenes between Jack Russell and Jean Beutel, although personally I was impressed mainly by the beauty of Jane Russell. I love the way the plot of the film, especially by the end of the story, unlike some other versions as to the truth of whether it was who killed Pat Garrett Billy the Kid. I prefer this ending for me was a surprise. It was a pity that Howard Hughes thus ruin the career of a good actor like Jack Beutel, but it also happened with other very good players, which ended up being ignored and forgotten. back to the movie I liked a lot. photography is excellent, the normal dialogs, the correct interpretation, since the lack of a good director and best screenplay had yielded better results. definitely a good movie.