RETURN OF THE BADMEN
1948, 90 minutes, Black and white.
Randolph Scott, Robert Ryan, Anne Jeffreys, Jacqueline White, George “Gabby” Hayes, Lex Barker, Steve Brodie, Robert Amstrong.
Directed by Ray Enright.
Return of the Badmen is a routine 40s western. Randolph Scott had appeared already in many westerns and was to continue to do so for the next fourteen years. George “Gabby” Hayes had also appeared in many westerns, especially with Gene Autry. Robert Ryan is a sadistic Sundance, the villain of the film.
The film focuses on Oklahoma territory, features the Oklahoma Run. It also features a range of outlaws from the past, the Younger brothers, the Doolans, Billy the Kid.
Randolph Scott appears, as usual, as an upright farmer who becomes a marshal and has to confront the outlaws.
1. Entertaining western? A western of the 40s? Fifty-plus years after the events portrayed? The change in the United States from the 1890s to the 1940s?
2. Black and white photography, the re-creation of the west, the western town, the banks, the saloons, the open range? The musical score?
3. The gangs, the outlaws, the bank robberies? As law and order was prevailing, as Oklahoma territory was opening up? The last stand of the bad men?
4. The history of the gangs, the Younger brothers, the Doolans, Billy the Kid? The role of the marshals? The presumptions of the outlaws, robbing banks, being gunfighters?
5. The change in civilising the west, becoming respectable? The cattle auctions? The reliance on the banks? Law and order? Judges, marshals?
6. The presentation of the outlaws, Cheyenne and her being a messenger, the sadism of Sundance, the Doolans and the hesitation, the Youngers? The staging of the robbery – announcing it to the bank owner and then doing the robbery? The falling out amongst the group, Sundance and their disapproval of his action? Cheyenne and her change of heart, returning the bonds? Their arrival in town, the confrontation with Vance and the law enforcers? The shoot-outs, Doolan in prison, Sundance trying to set him free, Sundance murdering Cheyenne, the fight with Vance and his loss?
7. Vance, experience, the farmer, engaged to Madge? The plan to go to California? His love for Johnny? Respect for John and the bank? His encounter with Cheyenne, getting the doctor, talking to her, his being taken by Sundance, the murder of the Indian? His return, persuading Cheyenne to give herself up? Her being allowed out on parole under his care? Madge and her reaction? The final set-up, his being officially the marshal, the fight with Sundance? The future with Madge, the bank?
8. John, the bank, the grizzly old man, letting his friends have loans but not letting it be seen? Love for his daughter, grandson? In the Oklahoma Run? His being robbed, the money returned? His finally going off to California?
9. Madge, the widow, love for Vance, reticent? Jealousy of Cheyenne, Vance asking her to look after her? The marriage? Her son?
10. Cheyenne, tough, the messenger, participating in the robberies, injured, looked after by Vance, remembering his words, pulling the gun on Sundance, her return, giving herself up, paroled, with Madge, telling her the truth about love and getting married, her being murdered by Sundance?
11. The familiar picture of the west, the pioneering days, the outlaws, the establishing of law and order?
