Other Titles • Angel and the Badman • The Angel and the Outlaw • Der Schwarze Reiter (1949)
Synopses for Angel and the Badman (1947)
1.
How can you go wrong with a movie featuring the great Harry Carey as a philosophical lawman named Wistful McClintock? Well sir (or ma'am), you can't, and this first production from John Wayne's personal unit at Republic is simply one of the loveliest Westerns anybody ever made. The producer-star plays gunslinger Quirt Evans who, wounded by his archrival Laredo Stevens (Bruce Cabot), is taken in and sheltered by a Quaker family--in particular, by the daughter of the household, a dark-eyed angel (Gail Russell) who could entice Satan himself to the path of virtue. Not that these good people get pushy about converting "Brother Evans." For his part, Marshal McClintock, who's amiably looked forward to hanging Quirt someday, keeps dropping by to see which happens first--Quirt's reformation, or Laredo's return to finish the job he started.
Entrusting the direction to screenwriter James Edward Grant, Wayne bolstered Grant's debut by tapping Yakima Canutt to handle the hard-riding second-unit stuff. The Duke also stole a few moves from a little project he'd been working on with Howard Hawks, Red River. Such larceny may have been superfluous. Grant wrote far and away the best script Wayne had ever had at Republic, creating a gallery of memorable characters (including comparative bystanders) and developing some very entertaining business for them--especially for such juicy character actors as Paul Hurst (the Quakers' mean-spirited neighbor), Olin Howlin (a braggadocious telegraph operator), and Hank Worden. The result was a minor classic deftly blending humor, romance, authentic sweetness, and just enough leathery menace to keep things on the generic up-and-up. This one's a real treat. --Richard T. Jameson
2.
An old-fashioned Western with John Wayne at his best as a gunfighter who must choose between the girl he loves and his guns which always seem to attract trouble. When outlaw Quirt Evans (Wayne) is wounded during a bank robbery, he is taken in by a gentle Quaker family and nursed back to health by their lovely daughter Penelope Worth (Gail Russell). Quirt begins to rethink his violent lifestyle after falling in love with Penelope and being hounded by his rival Laredo Stevens (Bruce Cabot) and a laconic U.S. marshal named Wistful McClintlock (Harry Carey). With its excellent script, quirky characters, and a sweet-natured blend of comedy and action, ANGEL AND THE BADMAN is justly considered one of the best Westerns ever made.
3.
The Duke detours on the other side of the law in this Western directed by Oscar nominated screenwriter James Edward Grant (The Sheepman), with whom he later collaborated on a dozen more films. Badly wounded gunman Quirt Evans is taken in and nursed back to health by a beautiful and innocent Quaker girl, Penelope Worth (Wayne's Wake of the Red Witch co-star, Gail Russell), and her family. While it's love at first sight for her, the Society of Friends has its work cut out for it in changing Quirt's violent ways, especially with his old enemy, Laredo Stevens (Bruce Cabot), around to make trouble. After Laredo's larcenous activities nearly cost Penny her life, Quirt's better instincts will soon be put to the ultimate test in the tense final showdown of this unusual film, the first produced by Wayne himself.
4.
Hollywood Classics
The first film produced by and starring John Wayne, Angel & the Badman is the story of an outlaw trying to change his life. Wayne, wounded, collapses on the doorstep of a Quaker family. While they nurse him back to health, he begins to fall in love with the daughter, played by Gail Russell. The gunslinger's strive to change his ways is offset by his strong desire to avenge his foster father's murder.
John Wayne On Film This documentary takes us on a trip through John Wayne's legendary film career, from his struggles in the 1930s to the unforgettable classics that propelled him to the ranks of stardom.
5.
The first film produced by John Wayne, and a favorite among Wayne fans, Angel And The Badman traces the outlaw Quirt Evans (John Wayne). Wounded in a gunfight, Evans is sheltered by a caring Quaker family. But when he falls for the daughter, Prudence (Gail Russell), Evans must decide between the life of violence he is accustomed to and the peaceful world in which the Quakers live.
6.
John Wayne and Gail Russell star in "Angel and the Badman," a classic American Western good versus evil, played out before beautiful canvas of the Colorado sky. Against this backdrop, the all around bad guy, Quirt Evans (Wayne), is sought by an innocent Quaker girl (Russell) who nurses him back to health after his near-fatal shooting in a fight over a mining claim. A quintessential John Wayne Western that has lost none of its power.
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