Movie Review: Return Of The Bad Men (1948)

Genre: Western  

Director: Ray Enright  

Starring: Randolph Scott, Robert Ryan, George "Gabby" Hayes, Anne Jeffreys  

Running Time: 90 minutes  

Synopsis: It's the 1880s in the Oklahoma territories. Populations are on the move as statehood and a land rush looms, and outlaws like the Youngers, the Daltons, and Billy the Kid plot to take advantage of the lawlessness. In the town of Braxton, rancher and former lawman Vance Cordell (Randolph Scott) is engaged to Madge (Jacqueline White), daughter of crusty banker John Pettit (George "Gabby" Hayes). Vance's plans to relocate to California are disrupted when the gang of Bill Doolin (Robert Armstrong), which includes Bill's niece Cheyenne (Anne Jeffreys) and brutal killer the Sundance Kid (Robert Ryan), targets John's bank.

What Works Well: The director and producer combination of Ray Enright and Nat Holt team up again for a successor to 1946's Badman's Territory, featuring the same historical setting and many of the same cast members (but in different roles). This is a notably better effort with rational pacing and an engaging plot line extending to two towns (Braxton is abandoned and the characters settle in Guthrie). A viable love triangle and a redemption arc (through Cheyenne's story) add texture, and shades of grey emerge among the outlaws. Robert Ryan makes for a chilling villain, and George "Gabby" Hayes spreads his wings (a bit) in a role other than "sidekick".

What Does Not Work As Well: The production never threatens to exceed solid B groundings. The historical explanation about towns abandoned for other towns is sketchy at best, the action scenes are executed with practiced clunkiness, and the idea of stuffing most of the famous bandits of the west into the same time and place is blatantly contrived and in any case toothless.

Conclusion: Trots straight between proficient and unexceptional.



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Movie Review: Trail Street (1947)

Genre: Western

Director: Ray Enright

Starring: Randolph Scott, Robert Ryan, Anne Jeffreys, George "Gabby" Hayes, Madge Meredith

Running Time: 84 minutes

Synopsis: The town of Liberty, Kansas is in the middle of a conflict between cattlemen and farmers. Allen Harper (Robert Ryan) is a landowner helping farmers deal with the harsh conditions, while the evil Logan Maury (Steve Brodie) wants to build a cattle empire and is happy to chase the farmers back east. Both men pursue a romance with Susan (Madge Meredith), but saloon girl Ruby (Anne Jeffreys) is in love with Logan and resents his interest in Susan. With the violence increasing, legendary Marshal Bat Masterson (Randolph Scott) arrives in Liberty to impose the rule of law.

What Works Well: This sturdy B-western delivers a conflict-filled plot inspired by the struggle to raise crops in dry and barren land. A romantic quadrangle, bursts of action, and a couple of good saloon songs (courtesy of Anne Jeffreys) maintain engagement. A deep cast of colourful characters includes Gabby Hayes in fine form as the talkative side-kick, and slimy saloon owner Carmody (Billy House) provides annoyingly effective support to the bad side of the street. Director Ray Enright animates Liberty with an army of extras, leading to a raucous climax.

What Does Not Work As Well: The film never threatens to rise above its humble ambitions, not helped by a rather disinterested Randolph Scott as Bat Masterson (an actual legend of the west). After wandering into town about halfway through, he stretches credibility by imposing his will through mere presence. 

Conclusion: A worthwhile if competently routine trip out west.



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