Angel and the Badman

James Edward Grant (1947)

99min

U Certificate

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Review

Our Score

by Allen Eyles

As Republic's one major star, John Wayne flexed his power to make a producing debut with this absorbingly offbeat western on which he promoted his writer buddy, James Edward Grant, to the director's chair (second unit specialist Yakima Canutt handled the striking action scenes). Wayne stars as the injured gunman nursed back to health by Quakers, who falls for the sensitive daughter of the house, Gail Russell. Can Wayne embrace their peaceful ways and avoid firing his six-gun, despite the continuing provocation of Bruce Cabot's bad guy? Fortunately, Grant's screenplay delivers some gratifying and ingenious twists en route.

Summary

A gunslinger determined to track down his father's killer is badly wounded and taken in by a Quaker family, whose daughter nurses him back to health. His attraction to the girl and growing respect for the family's peaceful way of life lead him to consider renouncing violence - but his desire for revenge proves hard to surrender. Western, starring John Wayne, Bruce Cabot and Gail Russell.