Law and Order (1953)

50% of users liked it
(66 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

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Nathan Juran
Genres: Western, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: May 13, 1953 Wide
On DVD: May 6, 2003
Studio: Universal Studios Home Video

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ronald Reagan doesn't make it as an actor.

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Cast

            Ronald Reagan as Frame Johnson

            Dorothy Malone as Jeannie Bristow

            Preston S. Foster as Kurt Durling

            Alex Nicol as Lute Johnson

            Ruth Hampton as Maria Durling

            Russell Johnson as Jimmy Johnson

            Barry Kelley as Fin Elder

            Chubby Johnson as Denver Cahoon

            Jack Kelly as Jed

            Dennis Weaver as Frank Durling

            Wally Cassell as Durango Kid

            Richard Garrick as Judge Williams

            Holly Bane as Horseman

            Gregg Barton as Wingett

            Tristram Coffin as Parker

            Richard H. Cutting as Card Player

            Jack Daly as Allie Marshall

            Don Garner as Johnny Benton

            Martin Garralaga as Mexican Man

            William Gould
            
            Harry Harvey as Land Agent

            Thomas Brown Henry as Dixon

            Jack Ingram
            
            Valerie Jackson as Clarissa

            Ethan Laidlaw
            
            Kenneth MacDonald as Rancher

            Kermit Maynard as Onlooker

            Eddie Parker as Man

            Victor Romito
            
            Buddy Roosevelt
            
            James F. Stone as Martin

            Britt Wood as Drunk

            William Tannen as Stranger

            Watson Downs as Doctor

            John Carpenter (III)
            
            Russell Hampton
            
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