THE DOOLINS OF OKLAHOMA
US, 1949, 90 minutes, Black and white.
Randolph Scott, George Macready, Louise Allbritton, John Ireland.
Directed by Gordon Douglas.
The Doolins of Oklahoma is an efficient action-packed western directed by Gordon Douglas who was to make a number of western and action thrillers during the 50s and 60s. It is also a star vehicle for Randolph Scott who was to make many B Budget but effective westerns during the 50s.
The film takes up the theme of the outlaws, giving some explanatory background to the reasons for the cowboys becoming outlaws after the invasion of the farmers in such territories as Oklahoma and pushing the range further west. the film focuses on the Dalton gang, its being massacred by law enforcement agents, and Bill Doolin forming another gang. The moral of the story is very strongly that crime doesn't pay. However, Randolph Scott endows the character of Bill Doolan with some moral strength, a man seemingly forced into being an outlaw by the law, by his gang. George Macready has an effective role as the pursuing Marshall.
1. Interesting and entertaining western? Of the 50s? Perspective of the cowboys and outlaws?
2. Black and white photography, small budget, locations and atmosphere, the west of the 1890s? Rousing score?
3. The title, the focus on Oklahoma territory and its history, the gangs, the outlaws and the Doolin gang?
4. The focus on Bill Doolin and Randolph Scott's screen presence? The attack by the Dalton gang on the town and their being killed? His surviving, the encounter with the marshall and discussions about shooting in the back? The betrayer of the gang and Doolin shooting him in self-defence? Having to leave the town? Meeting the other members of the gang, reforming the gang, their robberies, motivation? Their hiding out in the town? The marshall pursuing them? The breaking up of the gang for three months, Doolin and his going to the town, escaping the law, going to church, meeting Elaine and her family, the decision to stay, buying the farm: and ousting the owners with so much money?
5. Becoming settled, married? The group reforming, the pressure on Doolin the marshall's finding him? Regrouping with the gang, the train robbery? The price on his head? The pursuit of the law, the escape from the town, holing up, the deaths of the gang? Doolin and little John going to the farm, encountering Elaine, the plan to escape, the horse stampede, his being shot? Sympathetic portrait of an outlaw? the waiter, knowing the gang, coming along, sharing in the experience of Doolin? escaping with the horses? The motivations of the gang, money, greed, the use of their money? Doolin and his giving so much money to the town?
6. The Marshall, a fair man, the pursuit of the gang, shrewdness in tracking them down, using his agents? The census visit, tracking down Doolin, the final confrontation? The Marshall's voiceover?
7. Elaine and her family, God fearing people, the church, her love for Bill? Discovering the truth and her being hurt? Her parents and their reaction? The deacon saying that Doolin was a deadman? Elaine receiving the escapees, the plan to go to Colorado, the death of Doolin and her grief?
8. The themes of the American west in the 19th century, the range and cattle, the cowboys the coming of the farmers, the bankers, civilization and law and order? The dilemma for the cowboys and their becoming outlaws?
