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#1
Bad Movies / Re: Some sort of noteworthy Ev...
Last post by Rev. Powell - Today at 01:27:33 PMJust in: "Melania" nominated for "Best Documentary" by the FIFA Awards.
#2
Games / Re: Answer the question with a...
Last post by Rev. Powell - Today at 01:25:33 PM
How long will our love last?
#5
Bad Movies / Re: RECENT VIEWINGS (Bad Movie...
Last post by M.10rda - Today at 12:45:43 PMTHE OUTLAW (1943):
Do you hate historical accuracy? Then you might love Howard Hughes' THE OUTLAW, the Western that asks: How are gambler & gunfighter Doc Holliday's legacy and legend intrinsically linked to those of Billy the Kid and Sheriff Pat Garrett? Of course the answer is "They're not", because there's no evidence that Holliday ever had anything to do w/ Pat and Billy - but nevertheless this screenplay would have moviegoers (at least those who'd not yet lived to see TOMBSTONE or even 1946's MY DARLING CLEMENTINE) believe that the three old west legends were all in one big lethal bromance together.
THE OUTLAW was Hughes' second film of two, before realizing he wasn't much of a filmmaker and devoting the rest of his life to airplanes, shady Vegas investments, and collecting his own fingernails and urine. It seems like it was better remembered in the 80s - mostly as a low-grade camp/cult item - but it's rarely discussed today, probably because it's not very good but also not Bad enough to be a lot of fun. Some Letterboxd reviews find it rife w/ gay subtext, and yes, Holliday and Billy spend the entire movie arguing over who does a better job riding Holliday's horse.
But I've seen much gayer westerns (unintentional and otherwise) and besides it seems pretty clear that THE OUTLAW was made primarily to showcase Jane Russell, who poonhound Hughes presumably wanted to bang. The movie itself doesn't actually objectify top-billed Jane as much as its poster and promotional photos, which I still remember clearly from early childhood when I spotted them in my Godfather's house. 
She does look nice, though, and (at this early point in her career) does a reasonable job w/ a poorly written supporting role that doesn't seem to have benefitted from much direction.
The bigger issue is Jack Buetel (yeah, who?) as Billy the Kid. To be generous you could say that Buetel's blank-faced flat delivery is a fair portrayal of the real William Bonney's reputed low intelligence and sociopathy. It ain't much fun to watch, though.
The good thing about THE OUTLAW are the performances by Thomas Mitchell (IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE's Uncle Billy!) as Garrett and Walter Huston (father of John) as Holliday. Mitchell is likeable and convincing as the well-meaning lawman until the clumsy writing lets him down in the final scenes. Huston is fourth-billed in spite of Holliday really being the main character and thus THE OUTLAW is one of only two movies I know where Huston plays the lead (the other being DODSWORTH). He gives Holliday some easygoing, humorous highlights that oddly reminded me of Steve Martin at times. But Huston also transitions nicely to more dramatic moments, and would win an Oscar 5 years later for TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE. I assume he (like Russell) didn't get much help from Hughes, who was reportedly most interested in technology and sex. Like tech-bros today, really.
2.5/5 But on the tech side, there is some interesting (low-key, semi-realistic) use of visual and/or make-up FX during the final showdown.
Do you hate historical accuracy? Then you might love Howard Hughes' THE OUTLAW, the Western that asks: How are gambler & gunfighter Doc Holliday's legacy and legend intrinsically linked to those of Billy the Kid and Sheriff Pat Garrett? Of course the answer is "They're not", because there's no evidence that Holliday ever had anything to do w/ Pat and Billy - but nevertheless this screenplay would have moviegoers (at least those who'd not yet lived to see TOMBSTONE or even 1946's MY DARLING CLEMENTINE) believe that the three old west legends were all in one big lethal bromance together.
THE OUTLAW was Hughes' second film of two, before realizing he wasn't much of a filmmaker and devoting the rest of his life to airplanes, shady Vegas investments, and collecting his own fingernails and urine. It seems like it was better remembered in the 80s - mostly as a low-grade camp/cult item - but it's rarely discussed today, probably because it's not very good but also not Bad enough to be a lot of fun. Some Letterboxd reviews find it rife w/ gay subtext, and yes, Holliday and Billy spend the entire movie arguing over who does a better job riding Holliday's horse.
But I've seen much gayer westerns (unintentional and otherwise) and besides it seems pretty clear that THE OUTLAW was made primarily to showcase Jane Russell, who poonhound Hughes presumably wanted to bang. The movie itself doesn't actually objectify top-billed Jane as much as its poster and promotional photos, which I still remember clearly from early childhood when I spotted them in my Godfather's house. She does look nice, though, and (at this early point in her career) does a reasonable job w/ a poorly written supporting role that doesn't seem to have benefitted from much direction.The bigger issue is Jack Buetel (yeah, who?) as Billy the Kid. To be generous you could say that Buetel's blank-faced flat delivery is a fair portrayal of the real William Bonney's reputed low intelligence and sociopathy. It ain't much fun to watch, though.
The good thing about THE OUTLAW are the performances by Thomas Mitchell (IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE's Uncle Billy!) as Garrett and Walter Huston (father of John) as Holliday. Mitchell is likeable and convincing as the well-meaning lawman until the clumsy writing lets him down in the final scenes. Huston is fourth-billed in spite of Holliday really being the main character
and thus THE OUTLAW is one of only two movies I know where Huston plays the lead (the other being DODSWORTH). He gives Holliday some easygoing, humorous highlights that oddly reminded me of Steve Martin at times. But Huston also transitions nicely to more dramatic moments, and would win an Oscar 5 years later for TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE. I assume he (like Russell) didn't get much help from Hughes, who was reportedly most interested in technology and sex. Like tech-bros today, really.2.5/5 But on the tech side, there is some interesting (low-key, semi-realistic) use of visual and/or make-up FX during the final showdown.
#6
Bad Movies / Re: Generate Movie Poster with...
Last post by bob - Today at 11:34:09 AMQuote from: Rev. Powell on Today at 11:12:02 AMQuote from: bob on Today at 08:35:35 AM
I like the poster concept, but I wonder, is it more a Jim Marshall film or a Rick Talbot film? In was written by and drecten by Rick Talbot, Jim Marshall only direeted.
#7
Bad Movies / Re: Your fave movie bloopers?
Last post by M.10rda - Today at 11:26:46 AMHappy Anniversary to this thread! 
Since Archivist brought up STAR WARS...
In the late 90s/early 00s special edition/re-edit, Greedo shoots first.
Since Archivist brought up STAR WARS...
In the late 90s/early 00s special edition/re-edit, Greedo shoots first.
#8
Entertainment / Re: What have you been listeni...
Last post by Rev. Powell - Today at 11:17:15 AM
#9
Bad Movies / Re: Generate Movie Poster with...
Last post by Rev. Powell - Today at 11:12:02 AMQuote from: bob on Today at 08:35:35 AM
I like the poster concept, but I wonder, is it more a Jim Marshall film or a Rick Talbot film? In was written by and drecten by Rick Talbot, Jim Marshall only direeted.
#10
Off Topic Discussion / Re: Picture of the day, part I...
Last post by Rev. Powell - Today at 11:05:09 AMQuote from: Dr. Whom on Today at 09:16:56 AMQuote from: Rev. Powell on January 31, 2026, 12:55:23 PM
New Beverly Cinema's schedule for February.
Quite the selection indeed. Does this actually attract spectators?
No idea.