Review of The Outlaw (1943) by Paul D — 31 Jan 2011
More famous for the discovery of Jane Russell, The Outlaw was a mess of a project as much as it is a mess of a film, albeit an entertaining one. Contained in this two hours of celluloid lie a myriad of stories and myth, a Hollywood curio made by men who were cinema.
Howard Hawks began directing the project and was instrumental in casting two unknowns in the lead roles, a 19 year old Jane Russell and a 23 year old Jack Beutel (changed almost imperceptibly to Buetel).
The film belonged to Howard Hughes however, the two Howard's having worked together on Scarface eight years earlier in 1932. Hughes disliked the dailies and fired Hawks although some say it was very much a mutual decision.
Where Hawks would have covered up Russel's ample cleavage, Hughes was mesmerised by it and his constant attention on it was made the censor take note and it was banned for three years before being released intermittently until 1950 where it was very successful at the box office.
The film is a mess of ideas, acting and pacing but some positives can be taken from it. Walter huston's Doc Holliday is fantastic as is Russell's youthful anger and vigour. Thomas Mitchell as Pat Garrett doesn't stack up after watching James Coburn's in Peckinpah's version of the Billy The Kid story.
Buetel has some great moments but doesn't sustain the pace throughout every scene. An essential watch for a historian of the cinema but not flawless by any means.
This review of The Outlaw (1943) was written by Paul D on 31 Jan 2011.
The Outlaw has generally received mixed reviews.
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