MONTANA BELLE

US, 1951, 80 minutes, Colour.
Jane Russell, George Brent, Scott Brady, Forrest Tucker, Andy Devine, Jack Lambert, Ray Teal.
Directed by Alan Dwan.

Montana Belle was directed by Alan Dwan, a veteran of genre movies from the silent era. This is a star vehicle for Jane Russell had made such an impact as the sultry heroine of The Outlaw and as a star, with Bob Hope, in Paleface and Son of Paleface. She was making thrillers with Robert Mitchum and was about to star in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

At first she is stiff and sultry in the role of Belle Starr but warms up when she goes to town, and dons blonde wig and beautiful gowns and sings in a saloon.

This is also a story of the Dalton gang, their being betrayed by Belle Starr, their finally being arrested.

George Brent appears as the owner of a saloon, after being one of the romantic stars of the 1930s at Warner Brothers.


1. A small, entertaining Western? A Jane Russell film? Belle Starr’s story?

2. Oklahoma Territory, colour photography, the country, the town of Guthrie, police, the Birdcage saloon, the hideouts? The musical score?

3. Jane Russell, her popularity of this time, the sultry lead, sometimes a stiff performance, other times seductive, as Belle Starr and her reaction to her husband’s death, as Montana Belle, the blonde wig, in the saloon, the showstopping songs and the impact?

4. The Dalton gang, the reputation, robbing the banks, the headlines, hiding out? The bonds between the brothers? Ringo and his helping out, his hideout? Mac, partner with the brothers? The headlines of the newspapers? The rewards offered? Bob, bringing home Belle, rescuing her from prison, the cutting of the chains? The reactions to Belle, Ringo against her, the wariness of the brothers? Living with them, working, her being exasperated? Not able to respond to Bob, the interest of Mac?

5. The Birdcage, Tom Bradfield, owner, his discussions with the Federal agents, the deal for the reward for getting the Daltons? Pete, informant, the deal with Tom, his going to the Indian, the setup for the robbery of the Birdcage, his going back to Tom? His travelling wagon?

6. The message, the Daltons decision to go, Mac and Ringo, planning with Belle, robbing the Birdcage before the Daltons arrived? Tom and his looking into Belle’s eyes? And the later recognition?

7. The Indian Scout, giving the information to the posse, the shootout, Belle and her thinking the Daltons had betrayed them? Bob coming into town, the confrontation with Tom, Bellel shooting his guns, his being put in prison, Belle learning the truth? The plan to get him out of prison, the success?

8. Tom, falling in love with Belle, her disguise, the blonde wig, the gowns, being partner after her winning at blackjack? Her accepting, the running of the saloon? Falling in love, Tom’s love for her despite knowing who she was, going out on the picnic, telling the truth, the plan for her to go to Mexico, marriage, return, serve her time?

9. The Daltons taking Belle, make her ride with them to rob the bank? Pete and his intervention? The setup, newspaper headlines and everybody ready to capture the Daltons? The shootout, their deaths? Belle, the rescue, the agent and his surprise at Tom, letting Belle go?

10. Outlaws, men and women, robberies, the law, the saloons, the songs in the saloons – typical western material?