Basically, this is RKO's answer to Universal's threesome of Dracula, Frankenstein's monster and the Wolf Man when they met Abbott and Costello. This joins together famous outlaws of the old west who may never even have met, the James brothers, the Younger clan and a few fictional ones that have subtle hints of other real life old criminals. It's an all-star gathering of RKO's most macho contract players, some better utilized than others.
Filmed in a rather dull looking color that isn't very good, this has lots of action among real life historical references, and yet rings false. Robert Ryan and Robert Preston are both on the right sides of the law but have different ideas of how they should deal with these criminals. Jack Buetel, Bruce Cabot, John Cliff and Robert J. Wilke are the Youngers, and Lawrence Tierney and Tom Tyler are the James brothers, with John Archer thrown in as another criminal I'd never heard of named Curly.
For earthy wisdom, there's Walter Brennan providing the narration and a sense of reason, but his character lacks the subtle humor you expect from him. Claire Trevor, fresh from her Oscar win, plays the tough talking Lily and basically walks off witg the film, the only real female in the film, and more than just window dressing. Having seen so many films about the criminal elements of the old west that were so much better, I found this one a major disappointment, and can only believe that it's the fault of the script and direction, not the cast.
Filmed in a rather dull looking color that isn't very good, this has lots of action among real life historical references, and yet rings false. Robert Ryan and Robert Preston are both on the right sides of the law but have different ideas of how they should deal with these criminals. Jack Buetel, Bruce Cabot, John Cliff and Robert J. Wilke are the Youngers, and Lawrence Tierney and Tom Tyler are the James brothers, with John Archer thrown in as another criminal I'd never heard of named Curly.
For earthy wisdom, there's Walter Brennan providing the narration and a sense of reason, but his character lacks the subtle humor you expect from him. Claire Trevor, fresh from her Oscar win, plays the tough talking Lily and basically walks off witg the film, the only real female in the film, and more than just window dressing. Having seen so many films about the criminal elements of the old west that were so much better, I found this one a major disappointment, and can only believe that it's the fault of the script and direction, not the cast.