SYNOPSIS: Angel and the Badman (1947) begins with Quirt Evans, a notorious gunman, collapsing from exhaustion and a gunshot wound near the farm of a devout Quaker family, the Worths. Penelope Worth, the daughter of the family, finds Quirt and convinces her family to take him in and care for him despite his dangerous reputation. The Worth family, led by Thomas Worth, reluctantly agrees and nurses Quirt back to health, all while hoping to change his violent ways through their peaceful and compassionate lifestyle.

As Quirt recovers, he begins to develop feelings for Penelope and becomes increasingly conflicted about his past life of violence. Penelope, innocent and pure-hearted, sees the good in Quirt and believes he can change. Quirt is also pursued by Marshal McClintock, who is determined to bring him to justice. Throughout the film, Quirt struggles with his desire for revenge against Laredo Stevens, a rival gunman, and his growing affection for Penelope and the peaceful life she represents.

Quirt's internal conflict reaches a climax when he faces a final showdown with Laredo. Penelope and her family's influence ultimately lead Quirt to renounce his violent ways and embrace the Quaker principles of peace and forgiveness. In the end, Quirt decides to stay with Penelope and the Worth family, leaving his guns behind and choosing a life of peace and love over his former life as a feared gunman.

PLOT Spoiler Alert: Angel and the Badman opens with Quirt Evans (John Wayne), an injured gunslinger, collapsing on the doorstep of a Quaker family. Penelope Worth (Gail Russell) and her family take him in, tending to his wounds despite their pacifist beliefs. Quirt, known for his violent past and quick temper, is initially resistant to the Quaker way of life but is grateful for their help.

As Quirt recuperates, he grows close to Penelope, who embodies the values of kindness, patience, and nonviolence. Penelope’s father, Thomas Worth (John Halloran), and her mother (Irene Rich) welcome Quirt into their home without judgment, treating him as one of their own. The peaceful and serene environment of the Quaker household stands in stark contrast to Quirt’s tumultuous and dangerous lifestyle.

Despite his efforts to recover quietly, Quirt’s presence in the Quaker community does not go unnoticed. His old enemy, Laredo Stevens (Bruce Cabot), learns of his whereabouts and plots to finish him off. Marshal Wistful McClintock (Harry Carey) also keeps a close eye on Quirt, suspecting that he may return to his criminal ways once he regains his strength.

Quirt attempts to leave the Quaker community several times, drawn by his desire for revenge and the unfinished business with Laredo. However, Penelope’s gentle influence and unwavering faith in his goodness make it increasingly difficult for Quirt to revert to his old habits. He finds himself questioning the choices he has made and the path he wants to follow.

In a pivotal scene, Quirt is tempted to return to his violent ways when he confronts Laredo. Instead of seeking vengeance, he decides to let go of his past grievances, influenced by Penelope’s teachings of forgiveness and love. This decision marks a significant turning point in Quirt’s life, demonstrating his inner transformation and his commitment to a new way of living.

As Quirt’s bond with Penelope deepens, he becomes more integrated into the Quaker community. He helps with farm chores and participates in community activities, gradually shedding his tough exterior. Penelope’s love and the Worth family’s acceptance provide Quirt with a sense of belonging and purpose he has never experienced before.

The climax of the film occurs when Laredo and his gang confront Quirt one final time. Despite being outnumbered and unarmed, Quirt stands his ground, refusing to resort to violence. The showdown is tense, but Quirt’s resolve and the support of the Quaker community ultimately disarm Laredo and his men without bloodshed. This nonviolent resolution underscores the film’s central theme of redemption and the power of love and compassion.

In the end, Quirt fully embraces the Quaker way of life, renouncing his past and committing to a future with Penelope. The film concludes with a sense of hope and renewal, highlighting the transformative power of love and the possibility of change, even for a hardened gunslinger like Quirt Evans.

PRODUCTION: Angel and the Badman marked a significant milestone in John Wayne's career as it was his first production under his own company, John Wayne Productions. By 1947, Wayne had firmly established himself as a major Hollywood star, and this project allowed him to have creative control. He collaborated closely with James Edward Grant, who wrote and directed the film. Their shared vision focused on themes of moral redemption and romance within a Western setting, reflecting Wayne's interest in stories that went beyond typical action-driven narratives.

John Wayne starred as Quirt Evans, a hardened gunman whose journey towards redemption forms the core of the story. For the role of Penelope Worth, Wayne chose Gail Russell, whose previous work in films like The Uninvited had showcased her ability to portray delicate, ethereal characters. Her casting brought a tender and compassionate dimension to the film, balancing Wayne's rugged persona. The supporting cast included Harry Carey as Marshal McClintock, Bruce Cabot as Laredo Stevens, and Irene Rich as Mrs. Worth, each adding depth and authenticity to the story.

The film was shot on location in Sedona, Arizona, which provided a stunning backdrop of red rock formations and wide-open landscapes typical of Westerns. This setting not only enhanced the visual appeal but also underscored the film's themes of transformation and redemption. The production utilized both on-location shooting and studio sets to create a realistic yet cinematically engaging environment. Wayne's involvement ensured that the film maintained high production values, reflecting his commitment to quality.

One of the key challenges during production was balancing the film's romantic and dramatic elements. Wayne and Grant aimed to create a Western that was more than just an action-packed spectacle. They focused on character development and emotional depth, which required a nuanced approach to directing and acting. Additionally, Wayne's dual role as both lead actor and producer demanded careful time management and decision-making to keep the project on track.

RELEASE: Angel and the Badman premiered on February 15, 1947. The film's release was highly anticipated, given John Wayne's significant star power and his new role as a producer. The premiere was a notable event, drawing attention from both fans and critics eager to see how Wayne's first production venture would fare.

The film was distributed by Republic Pictures, a studio known for its prolific output of B-movies and serials. Republic Pictures was an ideal partner for Wayne's project due to its efficient production and distribution capabilities. This partnership helped ensure that Angel and the Badman reached a wide audience across the United States.

Upon its release, Angel and the Badman performed well at the box office. Its success was driven by several factors: John Wayne's popularity, the appealing storyline, and the effective marketing campaign. Audiences were drawn to the film's unique blend of Western action and romantic drama, which set it apart from other films in the genre at the time.

Critically, Angel and the Badman received a mix of positive and moderate reviews. Critics praised the film for its strong performances, particularly those of John Wayne and Gail Russell. Wayne's portrayal of a morally conflicted gunman was seen as a departure from his typical roles, showcasing his range as an actor. Russell's performance as Penelope Worth was also highlighted for its warmth and sincerity.

However, some critics felt the film's pacing was uneven, with the romantic elements occasionally overshadowing the Western action. Despite these critiques, the film's overall reception was favorable, and it was appreciated for its heartfelt storytelling and character-driven plot.

CAST:

• John Wayne as Quirt Evans

• Gail Russell as Penelope Worth

• Harry Carey as Marshal Wistful McClintock

• Bruce Cabot as Laredo Stevens

• Irene Rich as Mrs. Worth

• Lee Dixon as Randy McCall

• Stephen Grant as Johnny Worth

• Tom Powers as Dr. Mangram

• Paul Hurst as Frederick Carson

• Olin Howland as Bradley

• John Halloran as Thomas Worth

• Joan Barton as Lila Neal

• Craig Woods as Ward Withers

• Marshall Reed as Nelson

CREW:

• Director: James Edward Grant

• Producer: John Wayne

• Writer: James Edward Grant

• Cinematographer: Archie J. Stout

• Editor: Harry Keller

• Music: Richard Hageman

Production Company: John Wayne Productions, Patnal Productions
Distributor: Republic Pictures

Release Date: February 15, 1947
Country of Origin: United States
Running Time: 100 minutes
Budget: Estimated $1 million
Box Office Return: $4 million

IMDB Rating =  6.8 / 10

TRIVIA:

• Angel and the Badman was John Wayne’s first film as a producer, marking a significant milestone in his career.

• The film was shot on location in Sedona, Arizona, providing stunning natural backdrops that enhanced the film’s visual appeal.

• Gail Russell, who played Penelope Worth, was only 23 years old at the time of filming. Her performance was widely praised and contributed to her rising stardom.

• John Wayne and director James Edward Grant developed a close working relationship during the production, leading to future collaborations on other projects.

• The film’s themes of redemption and nonviolence were influenced by the Quaker values depicted in the story, offering a unique perspective within the Western genre.

• A quirt is a short whip with a braided leather tail that is used by cowboys to move cattle while being herded.

• Clips from this movie were used in the flashback scenes in John Wayne's final movie, The Shootist (1976).

• The doctor tells Quirt that alcohol can be either a depressant, a stimulant, or an anodyne. The latter, when used as an adjective, refers to something that prevents a person from being offensive, but in this case, it is used as a noun, meaning a painkiller.

• John Wayne (Quirt Evans) is nearly five months older than John Halloran, who played Thomas Worth, the father of Quirt's love interest Penelope Worth (Gail Russell), and 17 years older than Russell.

• Many of John Wayne's fans were unimpressed by the lack of action when the film was released, and the ending was widely criticized.

• In the opening scene, composer Richard Hageman reuses music he originally wrote for the wartime thriller Paris Calling (1941) with Basil Rathbone.

• John Wayne would later star in two films where his eponymous character carried the name of characters from this movie: Hondo (1953) and McLintock! (1963).

• "The Hedda Hopper Show - This Is Hollywood" broadcast a 30-minute radio adaptation of the movie on April 5, 1947, with John Wayne reprising his film role.

• Bruce Cabot (Laredo Stevens) and John Wayne (Quirt Evans) appear in 12 movies together.

• Although he's reputed to be a fast gun and a killer, Quirt draws only once in the movie and never fires a shot.

• Dr. Mangram tells Mrs. Worth that being in their house is like being in a "never never land". Never Never Land is the location of most of the action of J.M. Barrie's play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, first produced in 1904, long after the time of this film.

• Stephen Grant who plays Johnny Worth was the son of the film's director James Edward Grant.

• Harry Carey died in the same year the film was released.

Angel and the Badman remains a beloved classic in the Western genre, known for its heartfelt story and the strong chemistry between its lead actors. The film’s message of love and redemption continues to resonate with audiences, making it a timeless piece of cinema.