BEST OF THE BADMEN

US, 1951, 84 minutes, Colour.
Robert Ryan, Claire Trevor, Jack Beutel, Robert Preston, Walter Brennan, Bruce Cabot, John Archer, Lawrence Tierney, Barton Mac Lane.
Directed by William D.Russell.

The Best of the Badmen is an entertaining Western with historical figures, seeing that most of it is fiction. It is a sequel of sorts to Last of the Badmen, 1948.

The film shows a group of Confederate soldiers surrendering to the Union in order to be free and begin their lives. In the group are Bob and Cole Younger as well as Jesse and Frank James. The oath of allegiance is given to Jeff Clanton, who offers them the opportunity for a different life but is confronted by Matthew Fowler, carpetbagger and director of the Detective agency who wants to control this part of the West.

In a shootout, Clinton kills one of Fowler’s men and is arrested and condemned to hanging. But he is given a gun in his cell by Lily, Fowler’s wife, and there is a long pursuit until he is rescued by Doc and Bob Younger. Clanton is intent on vengeance while the group have been made outlaws by Fowler’s pursuit.

The film has a very strong cast with Robert Ryan solidly as Clanton, Claire Trevor as Fowler’s wife Robert Preston as Fowler, Walter Brennan doing his usual as Doc. A group of impressive character actors take on the roles – with Jack Beutel, making his first film in nine years after The Outlaw, with only a few films and television programs to follow.

The film was directed by William K.Russell, director of only a few films like Dear Ruth and Bride for Sale and then over 15 years directing television until his untimely death.


1. A sequel to Last of the Badman?

2. A post-civil war Western? The continuing enmities? The focus on the James brothers and the Youngers and the group and their loyalty to the Confederacy? What was to happen to them after the war?

3. Clanton, the North, the military, his soldiers coming, the Younger group in the hills, Clanton and his deal? Their accepting? Laying down arms? Going into the town, the administration of the oath? The checking of the documents? Their being free to leave the town?

4. Clanton, the challenge by Matthew Fowler, Clanton and standing up to him, the carpetbaggers and the Detective Agency, wanting to control the region? The men pushing against the soldiers, the shooting, Clanton killing the man? His going on leave, shooting while not in the army, his arrest, the kangaroo trial, the judge and jury bought by Fowler? Clanton condemned to hang? In the jail, Lily coming, the pretence of being a good time girl, giving him the gun, his escape, the shooting, his getting the horse, the posse in pursuit, Clanton under the bridge, his being wounded, travelling through the countryside? Going to the shop, buying clothes, the prospect of the reward money? His escaping with a horse? Fowler’s men catching up, Doc and Bob, rescuing Clanton and taking him to Quinto?

5. Matthew Fowler, power, money, the Agency, protecting banks? His wanting to take the Younger and Confederate group to court? Clanton standing up to him? His continued pursuit? Clanton and the court case, the escape, Lily helping him?

6. The Younger brothers and their history, the surrender, being freed, Fowler and his men against them, their becoming outlaws – with the touch of the ruthless, willing innocent people to be blown up in the tree? Cole and his leadership, Bob and his being younger, and his attraction to Lilly, buying the gift? The James brothers and their prospects, unable to go back to the farm? Curley Ringo and his place in the group? His antagonism, against Bob, listening in to Clanton and Lilly’s conversation, learning the truth, using it against Bob, the group, their ousting him, his betrayal of them to Fowler, the train robbery, Fowler and his men prepared, the pursuit?

7. Doc, the narrative, the Walter Brennan style? In the group, older? Not a horse thief but a souvenir of bridles – which happened to have horses in tow? His rescuing Clanton? His words of advice? Helping Lilly?

8. Lily, the clash with Fowler, her pretence, in the jail, passing the gun? Her leaving, going to Quiinto, singing? Bob’s attraction? Love for Clanton? The revelation of the truth? Her accompanying the group to the train, her being shot, her being tended, on the wagon, the pursuit, Clanton carrying her, Doc and Bob stealing the stagecoach and her being transported to the town, the doctor praising the tending of her wound? The confrontation with Fowler?

9. Fowler, using Lilly as bait, Curley Ringo with him, wanting the money? Clanton and the clever plan, the dynamite, the coach coming into town, Doc waiting, the use of dynamite, Clanton and the fight with Fowler, holding Fowler so that his own men shot him? The final escape?

10. Doc and Bob going to join the gang? Clanton and Lilly going off together?