The Outlaw (1943)
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89% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
36% of users liked it
(1,456 ratings)
Perhaps Hollywood's greatest success du scandal of the 1940s, this odd psychological Western became a box office hit largely thanks to the costuming of leading lady Jane Russell (or, more accurately, its relative absence). Billy the Kid (Jack Buetel) and Doc Holliday (Walter Huston) are close… More Perhaps Hollywood's greatest success du scandal of the 1940s, this odd psychological Western became a box office hit largely thanks to the costuming of leading lady Jane Russell (or, more accurately, its relative absence). Billy the Kid (Jack Buetel) and Doc Holliday (Walter Huston) are close friends until lawman Pat Garrett (Thomas Mitchell) attempts to ambush Billy and put him behind bars. Doc brings Billy to his ranch to hide out, but when Billy meets Doc's mistress Rio (Russell), he's instantly attracted to the buxom beauty. An intense chemistry quickly grows between them, despite the fact that Billy murdered Rio's brother. Billy and Rio secretly marry, but their love runs hot and cold, and soon Billy, Doc, and Rio are fighting among themselves as they're chased through the desert by Garrett and his posse. Director Howard Hawks and screenwriter Ben Hecht both worked on The Outlaw, but they went uncredited after disputes with the legendarily difficult financier (and sometimes producer/director) Howard Hughes, whose battles with the censors resulted in the film spending three years on the shelf before finally gaining wide release in a cut version in 1946. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Howard Hughes
- Written By
- Jules Furthman
- Genres
- Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics
G,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1943 Wide
- Studio
- American Pop Classics
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
One of the weirdest westerns of all time, reflecting the eccentricities of its producer and credited director, Howard Hughes.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
By today's standards the film is naive and amateurish, but in 1943, it was one of the most scandalous features Hollywood has made due to Howard Hughes brilliant campaign to exploit Jane Russell's buxum.
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Stagey, not that well written, acted or directed (by Howard Hughes) western. More infamous than good.
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Phil Hall, Film Threat
There are only two reasons why anyone was intrigued with this film...can you guess?
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Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
The film would be G-rated today, but at the time, that hint of skin was enough to send people scampering for a little water to put on their brow.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jack Buetel
as Billy the Kid
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Jane Russell
as Rio
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Thomas Mitchell
as Pat Garrett
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Walter Huston
as Doc Holliday
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Mimi Aguglia
as Aunt Guadelupe
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Joe Sawyer
as Charley
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Gene Rizzi
as Stranger
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Bob Callahan
as Boy
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Frank Darien
as Shorty
- Dick Elliott
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Martin Garralaga
as Waiter
- Ben Johnson
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Cecil Kellogg
as Officer
- Ethan Laidlaw
- Arthur Loft
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Ted Mapes
as Guard
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William Newell
as Drunk Cowboy
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Emory Parnell
as Dolan
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Edward Peil Sr.
as Swanson
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Nina Quartero
as Chita
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Wallace Reid Jr.
as Bystander
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Julian Rivero
as Pablo
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John Sheehan
as Salesman
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Lee Shumway
as Dealer
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William Steele
as Deputy
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Carl Stockdale
as Minister
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Pat West
as Bartender
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Lee "Lasses" White
as Coach Driver
- Dick Jones
- Ed Brady
