The Outlaw (1943)

I love this movie so much

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

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.

Newly appointed sheriff Pat Garrett is pleased when his old friend Doc Holliday arrives in Lincoln, New Mexico on the stage. Doc is trailing his stolen horse, and it is discovered in the possession of Billy the Kid. In a surprising turnaround, Billy and Doc become friends. This causes the friendship between Doc and Pat to cool. The odd relationship between Doc and Billy grows stranger when Doc hides Billy at his girl, Rio's, place after Billy is shot. She falls for Billy, although he treats her very badly. Interaction between these four is played out against an Indian attack before a final showdown reduces the group's number.Howard Hughes at his bra inventing finest.Jane Russel could never ever act. She had two assets.The movie is famous for them. And they go on and on for 2 hours in what could have been a 90 minute movie.That's about it.

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.