Law and Order (1953)
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45% of users liked it
(68 ratings)
The first film version of W.R. Burnett's novel Saint Johnson was filmed as Law and Order in 1932. Essentially an all-names-changed retelling of the Wyatt Earp legend, the film scored on its humanity and restraint. The 1953 remake eschewed the shadings and subtleties of the original in favor of a… More The first film version of W.R. Burnett's novel Saint Johnson was filmed as Law and Order in 1932. Essentially an all-names-changed retelling of the Wyatt Earp legend, the film scored on its humanity and restraint. The 1953 remake eschewed the shadings and subtleties of the original in favor of a traditional shoot-em-up, replete with gratuitous violence. Ronald Reagan stars as the Earp counterpart this time, who has sworn to bring criminal Preston S. Foster to justice. The original Law and Order had no love interest at all; the Reagan version pairs up the star with beautiful Dorothy Malone, and offers a second leading lady in the form of Ruth Hampton. The original had a hanging sequence which was treated as business as usual; the remake turns this sequence into a brutal lynching. Common to both films was the final showdown between Reagan and Foster, given added melodrama in the later version by the fact that Reagan had previously sworn to give up his guns for the love of his lady. Like most of Ronald Reagan's 1950s vehicles, Law and Order paid its way and was then forgotten. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Nathan Juran
- Genres
- Western, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- May 13, 1953 Wide
- Studio
- Universal Studios Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ronald Reagan doesn't make it as an actor.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Ronald Reagan
as Frame Johnson
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Dorothy Malone
as Jeannie Bristow
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Preston S. Foster
as Kurt Durling
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Alex Nicol
as Lute Johnson
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Ruth Hampton
as Maria Durling
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Russell Johnson
as Jimmy Johnson
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Barry Kelley
as Fin Elder
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Chubby Johnson
as Denver Cahoon
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Jack Kelly
as Jed
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Dennis Weaver
as Frank Durling
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Wally Cassell
as Durango Kid
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Richard Garrick
as Judge Williams
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Holly Bane
as Horseman
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Gregg Barton
as Wingett
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Tristram Coffin
as Parker
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Richard H. Cutting
as Card Player
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Jack Daly
as Allie Marshall
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Don Garner
as Johnny Benton
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Martin Garralaga
as Mexican Man
- William Gould
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Harry Harvey
as Land Agent
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Thomas Brown Henry
as Dixon
- Jack Ingram
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Valerie Jackson
as Clarissa
- Ethan Laidlaw
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Kenneth MacDonald
as Rancher
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Kermit Maynard
as Onlooker
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Eddie Parker
as Man
- Victor Romito
- Buddy Roosevelt
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James F. Stone
as Martin
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Britt Wood
as Drunk
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William Tannen
as Stranger
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Watson Downs
as Doctor
- John Carpenter (III)
- Russell Hampton
