The Outlaw (1943)

Geschreven door CinemaSerf op 2 mei 2024

It's all a little light-weight and what action there is is all sandwiched into the last ten minutes, but it's still quite an enjoyable western that pitches three of the most famed from the Wild West in an amiable scenario. "Doc Holliday" (Walter Huston) gets off the train to meet with old pal and sheriff "Pat Garrett" (Thomas Mitchell) only to bump into his old (stolen) horse and it's new owner. Introductions present us with "Billy the Kid" (Jack Buetel) who plans on keeping his new horse! Some entertaining manoeuvring now goes on between these men as the "Doc" begins to quite like the "Kid" and the "Kid" gets accused of a murder that pitches him against the lawman. Add to the mix the temptations of the glamorous "Rio" (Jane Russell) and a rather comedic soundtrack from Victor Young and we are delivered of a cheery soap-style adventure that is, admittedly, completely devoid of action and peril, but has just about enough charisma from Mitchell and Russell to keep it moving along. Nope, you'll never remember it, it's far, far, too long and Buetel is clearly only there for eye-candy purposes, but it's not the worst.