Angel and the Badman

Plot synopsis:
Wounded and on the run, notorious gunman Quirt Evans (John Wayne) gallops onto a farm owned by Quaker Thomas Worth (John Halloran) and his family and collapses. When Quirt urgently insists upon sending a telegram, Thomas and his daughter Penelope (Gail Russell) drive him into town in their wagon. After wiring a claim to the land recorder's office, Quirt passes out and Penny cradles him. Ignoring the doctor's advice to rid themselves of the gunman, the compassionate Worth family tends to the delirious Quirt, and Penny becomes intrigued by his ravings of past loves.
Days later, when Quirt regains consciousness, Penny patiently explains the family's belief in non-violence. Three weeks later, Laredo Stevens (Bruce Cabot) and Hondo Jeffries (Louis Faust) ride into town looking for Quirt. When Penny's younger brother Johnny (Stephen Grant) rushes home to inform Quirt of his visitors, Quirt quickly prepares to flee. Penny, now smitten with Quirt, offers to run off with him. At the sound of approaching horses, Quirt grabs his gun and discovers that it has been emptied. Training his gun on the doorway, Quirt calmly greets Hondo and Laredo. Thinking that Quirt has the upper hand, Laredo offers to buy his claim. When Quirt sets the price at $20,000, Laredo hands over $5,000 in gold and challenges him to come for the balance when he is able – if he has the nerve.
Afterward, Quirt saddles his horse, but when Penny begs him to stay, he changes his mind. Later, Quirt learns that cantankerous rancher Frederick Carson (Paul Hurst) has dammed up the stream that runs through the valley, thus draining the Worths' irrigation ditches. Quirt intimidates Carson into opening the dam.
One Sunday, Penny asks Quirt to join the family for a ride. Before they leave, Marshal Wistful McClintock (Harry Carey) comes to question Quirt about a stagecoach robbery. The family swears that Quirt was with them at the time. The marshal then asks Quirt why he resigned as Wyatt Earp's deputy, sold his ranch and crossed over to the wrong side of the law soon after cattleman Walt Ennis was gunned down in a saloon brawl. When Quirt refuses to answer, the marshal leaves. Penny then begs Quirt to steer clear of Laredo, and he acquiesces because of his love for her.
As Quirt and the Worths ride to the Quaker gathering, Quirt's erstwhile sidekick, Randy McCall (Lee Dixon), tags along. Randy tells Quirt that Laredo plans to rustle a herd of cattle and suggests that they then steal the herd from Laredo and let him take the blame. Mr. Worth gives Quirt a Bible for ending the feud with Carson. Fearing that he will never be able to live up to Penny's expectations, Quirt abruptly leaves with Randy.
Quirt and Randy steal the herd from the original rustlers. They then celebrate with showgirls Lila Neal (Joan Barton) and Christine Taylor (Rosemary Bertrand). When Lila, sensing a change in her old flame, teases Quirt about his Bible, Quirt becomes angry and rides back to the Worth farm. Overjoyed, Penny throws her arms around him, just as the marshal arrives to question Quirt about the rustling. Quirt states that Lila can provide him with an alibi. Penny is hurt that Quirt was with his old flame, who she heard him talk about in his delirium, thinking Quirt prefers Lila's fair hair. Quirt realizes the depth of his feelings for Penny, and they kiss hungrily in the barn, while the camera fades.
The marshal warns Quirt that he is the wrong man for Penny. Quirt decides to propose to her anyway. Instead of replying, Penny invites Quirt to join her picking blackberries. Quirt answers Penny's questions about his early life. Kindly Walt Ennis raised him after his parents were massacred by Indians. Then Ennis was murdered.
Quirt and Penny are ambushed and chased by Laredo and Hondo on their way home. Their wagon plunges over a cliff into the river, causing Penny to develop a dangerous fever. When the doctor informs Quirt that there is no hope for her, Quirt straps on his pistol and rides into town to exact revenge. After Quirt leaves, Penny's fever suddenly breaks.
In town, Quirt sends Bradley to tell Laredo and Hondo he is waiting for them in the street. Penny and her family arrive. She gets Quirt to surrender his gun to her. As Laredo and Hondo draw their guns, Marshal McClintock shoots them both. Quirt rides off in the wagon with Penny. The marshal picks up Quirt's discarded weapon. Bradley comments that Quirt may need the weapon, to which the marshal says, "Only a man who carries a gun ever needs one." And, the film fades to black.

Tags: revenge, comedy, violence

Review:
He is rescued by beautiful Gail Russell, a Quaker girl with a strong, silent father and a marvelous, generous mother who makes donuts and cakes that melt in your mouth, but according to her are, "not very good, the flour you know...".Poor Quirt never has a chance.
But not before he must taste his old way of life one more time, which leads to a dramatic conclusion.John Wayne never looked better on film then in The Angel and The Badman.
If you are new to John Wayne, check to one out and fall in love.Harry Carey plays the Marshal of the territory who keeps track of Quirt, not completely convinced of his conversion, until the surprising climax.
Wayne plays young gun hand Quirt Evans, a most feared man in the territory, who wounded falls in the hands of a Quaker family who nurses him back to health.
This was his idea of charity and something that never gets talked about enough by people, even some of Wayne's most devoted fans.As this was his first film as producer, I have no doubt that the Duke wanted Harry Carey, the man he patterned his cowboy image after in this film.
ANGEL AND THE BADMAN is a film that many John wayne fans may not have seen; nonetheless it's one of his best that shows a very different side.Wayne as Quirt Evans is wounded and taken in by a gentle Quaker family.
After he recuperates he notices their daughter--the absolutely drop dead gorgeous Gail Russell.The plot of AATBM is remarkably similar to Harrison Ford's WITNESS (probably a remake).But what ultimately makes this movie  work is Wayne's performance, and Russell's natural "Angelic" qualities.
John Wayne got to kiss a score of pretty ladies on screen, but his romance with Gail Russell as Penelope, the "Angel" in this story, shows the best screen chemistry I can recall.
This all goes on under the watchful eye of the Marshall (Harry Carey), who serves as not only a foil for Wayne constantly threatening him, but almost like a self-appointed guardian who sees Quirt's potential for good, trying to steer him toward the light.
Carey's humor, and good spirit plays off Wayne perfectly.The film builds to a brilliant finish, with Quirt forced to choose between peace or violence once and for all.
Fun movie about a cowboy named Quirt (John Wayne) who is wants to reform his ways after he meets a sweet Quaker girl.
When he is shot, the Quaker family takes care of him, and after he wakes up the daughter (Gail Russell) falls in love with him.
There are several wonderful supporting characters who add a lot of worth to the proceedings, including Harry Carey as a marshall, Lee Dixon as one of Quirt's friends and old partners in crime, Tom Powers as the local, scientific, atheist doctor, and Olin Howlin as the town telegrapher.
Writer-director Grant (another Ford insider) has given us an excellent script and able direction.The film was produced by John Wayne himself, who knew a good story, and who here allows us an odd insight into his personal politics - which were far more complicated than his right-wing fans or left-wing detractors ever understood.
Memorable Western with an excellent role by John Wayne and an attractive Gail Russell.
This is one of Wayne's best movies, the simple but powerful story of a man changing for the love of a woman.
It is always a great introduction to John Wayne for someone who has not appreciated his work, his best movies are about love and redemption.
While being chased by a sheriff bent on capturing Quirt Evans (John Wayne) he is wounded in a bank robbery, he ends up knocking at the door of Penny's home (Gail Russell) and is nursed back to health by her.
A romantic story about a gunfighter(Wayne ) who falls in love with a Quaker woman (Gail Russel), is almost surrendering himself to domesticity, then has a last go at his old lifestyle.
What makes this film so good is the peculiar beauty, charm, and excellent performance of Gail Russel which has an incredible chemistry with Wayne at his best.
Harry Carey who used to play cowboys in silent movies is the Marshal, a key character, and also Bruce Cabot(King Kong), who made many B westerns is the bad guy, Laredo..
He falls in love with a woman, Gail Russell, and just watching him play that part, one can truly enjoy Wayne's character, since he plays in very few love stories.
He proves that he can handle a romantic role and any woman watching this film, I can honestly say, would love to be in John Wayne's arms.
When John Wayne is in love with his co star he is a terrific actor as he was in The Quiet Man and his movies with Gail Russell.Whether a lover of western movies, love stories, action and adventure or just plain movies this one is a winner in every category.The obvious chemistry, the horsemanship and research into Quaker habits and ways, and the attention to detail is wonderful for all movie fans of all genres..
It stars John Wayne, Gail Russell, Harry Carey, Bruce Cabot, Irene Rich, Lee Dixon and Stephen Grant.
It's a touch too slow at times for its own good and runs for ten minutes longer than was needed, things that no doubt stunted its financial growth at the 1947 box office, but there is much to enjoy here.Technical values are high, from Stout's photography that beautifully realises locations in Sedona, Arizona (Monument Valley standing out, naturally!), to cast performances from Carey, Wayne and the gorgeous Miss Russell (chemistry unbound between the three actors), film never lacks for quality.
7.5/10DVD version viewed was Region 2 taken out of the John Wayne Out West 6 film Box Set. A good quality black and white print..
ANGEL AND THE BADMAN is a John Wayne western with a greater emphasis on character development than usual; I found it quite interesting, although not one of his most exciting vehicles.
He plays the "bad man" of the title, a wounded gunslinger taken in and healed by a Quaker family who teach him the ways of peace at the same time.
Wayne plays notorious gunslinger Quirt Evans, who is wounded and nursed back to health by a Quaker family.
Quirt will have to choose between his way and the Quaker way, which means choosing Penelope or the gun.John Wayne is really good in this one.
Gail Russell (Penelopoe Worth) "Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour"'43 tried to keep Quirt from going gun crazy and almost got her man killed, but finally saved by the U S Marshall (Harry Carey),veteran silent film actor of 258 films, "Red River" '48.
Many more great ones would follow that he produced or made for his own production company, and it's arguably his best performance in a romantic role (until he made THE QUIET MAN.) Although STAGECOACH made the Duke a star and many fine films soon followed, this was his most popular shoot-em-up after STAGECOACH, and definitely put him on the trail to becoming the greatest western movie star of all time.
I was disappointed it wasn't much afterward.John Wayne's role as the "hero," so to speak, "Quirt Evans" wasn't that appealing to me anymore than was the name "Quirt." Wayne, like the crusty old characters he played the last few decades of his career, didn't want anything to do with the Quakers in here, but they turn his ugly personality into something much better.
Yates' Republic Pictures was one of the few poverty row moguls that could pull off a convincing 'A' effort, which essentially ended with 1952's The Quiet Man. Directed by Republic contract writer (and frequent John Wayne colleague) Jim Grant, Angel and the Badman is a very good picture, with a bravura twilight performance by the late great Harry Carey.
this movie shows a very different side of John Wayne that you don't get to see very often,, a quite reserved kind of solitude, instead of the gun toting,, angry man we see most of the time.
this western is more of a character study than anything else,and a romance.there isn't a lot of action.it's not the worst movie i have seen,but i do felt it went on too long.i felt it was too tedious.there were several times when i thought it was over,and could/should have been over,but it kept going.i think they could have told just as good a story if they had shortened the film.it's definitely not one of my favourite westerns,nor one my favourite John Wayne westerns.it's certainly no classic,in my opinion.i know many people would disagree with that sentiment,which is fine.i wouldn't likely watch it again,at least for a long time.for me,Angel and the Badman is a 4/10.
This truly uplifting humane Repubic Pictures western produced by John Wayne in 1946 is a genuinely wonderful film in many ways.
A western the good times with John Wayne showing here that really was the great actor of westerns in the role of Quirt Evans, an out-of-law is delighted with the daughter of a pastor, and radically change his life.
But "Angel and the Badman" had the merit to meet John Wayne and the beautiful Gail Russell, who, for all we know, lived a great passion for years and years.
Count the number of shots he fires for the rest of the movie; you may be surprised.While riding away wounded from a gun battle, Quirt Evans (Wayne) is taken in by a family of Quakers.
Quirt likes her, too, but can the love of a devoted, peaceful woman match up against life on the prod, especially when that life is gunning for you?I don't know if it's true that Wayne and Russell had an affair during this production, as it has been said.
But there's no denying the affair Russell had going with the camera here, which starts two minutes in when she stands up on her wagon shot low against the sky, and continues all the way to the film's end.Those amazing eyes of hers are a big part of it, but so too is the character she plays.
The vulnerability and strength of her performance catches me short, as it does Quirt when she quietly says she's his for the asking."It's the way I feel and it would be dishonest to say anything else," she says."You sure get to the point!" he answers.Watching a John Wayne movie for the love story doesn't sound promising, but it works here.
When he is wounded he is taken care of by a devout quaker farming family.When he gets better he discovers that the daughter Penelope (Gail Russell) is rather keen on him.To thank the family Quirt goes to have a word with the neighbouring rancher who his withholding water from flowing down the land.
The mere mention of Quirt Evans name leads the landowner to let the water flow to the neighbouring land.Quirt falls for Penelope but it means accepting the pacifist religious beliefs of this devout honest to goodness quaker family.A local Marshall (Harry Carey) follows Quirt about, just waiting for a shootout with his enemies so he can hang the winner.
The story is somewhat reminiscent of WITNESS, the Harrison Ford film about an outlaw and a Quaker family and their influence on his behavior.Wayne is fine as the cowboy with a habit of getting into barroom brawls, the kind you'd expect to see in a John Ford film--which this isn't, complete with bouts of humor.
GAIL RUSSELL is a pretty gal, especially in all the loving close-ups, but let's face it, she was never much of an actress and is pretty vapid in the leading lady role.IRENE RICH does nicely as Russell's mother and HARRY CAREY and PAUL HURST are good in supporting roles.The film is obviously aiming for a quaint sort of charm with its Quaker theme, but it's really pretty forgettable material and one of the less vital John Wayne films..
But the more of his films I watch, the more aware I become that he wasn't quite so bad an actor as thought."Angel and the Badman" is a light-hearted story, with a witty script and energetic direction (both from James Edward Grant).
B&W John Wayne Western with romance (Gail Russell), action and interesting theme.
RELEASED IN 1947 and written & directed by James Edward Grant, "Angel and the Badman" is a Western starring John Wayne as a gunslinger in Arizona who finds temporary sanctuary with some pacifistic Quakers.
The film tells the story of how Quirt and Penelope fall for one another and how, under the influence of her pacifist beliefs, he reforms his violent ways.(You can tell that the Worths are Quakers because they still use the archaic second person singular, although they seem not to understand the grammatical rules governing its use- "thee are" rather than "thou art", for example.
A good example is "High Noon" in which the hero, Marshal Kane, has plenty of opportunity to avoid a shoot-out with the villains but refuses to take it, believing that to run away would be cowardly and dishonourable."Angel and the Badman" is very different from the "revisionist Westerns" of the sixties and seventies like "The Wild Bunch", which were in themselves often very violent and which tried to call the Code into question by denying that anyone in the Old West had ever lived by it.
His role here in some ways anticipates his final film, "The Shootist" from nearly thirty years later, in which he also plays a notorious gunfighter seeking redemption, except in that case he is seeking it through the traditional Code and not through a religious conversion.Wayne's co-star Gail Russell is an actress I had heard about but never previously seen.
This is a quiet western ;there's violence in the first pictures (close shot of a revolver) and towards the end but this is a true story of redemption.These quaker family is some kind of heaven where you can eat the best donuts in the world and their influence radiates on the others : take the scene of the water ;we expect a fight between Wayne and the selfish old man ;but it is not so: not only he lets the waters flow ,but when he comes to his neighbor's farm,the good mom presents him with baskets of food.as in the title of William Wyler's famous movie (1956),friendly persuasion indeed!Gail Russel had wonderful eyes and you should see her in "the night has a thousand eyes" where they merge in the sky..
Whatever else, this pacifist Western gives Wayne his best last line of any film in that long and storied career.
While this is far from John Wayne's best film, it is a nice little change of pace that tries to be a bit different from his typical Western.
Not surprisingly, young Gail Russell (the daughter in the Quaker family) falls for Wayne.
An injured Quirt Evans (John Wayne) is taken in by a peaceful Quaker family, among them the lovely daughter Penelope Worth (Gail Russell).
Former Chicago newspaper reporter James Edward Grant spent most of his career either penning or polishing screenplays for John Wayne, and Grant handed Wayne one of his best and earliest western classics in 1947 with "Angel and the Badman" that Wayne produced as his first film and Grant helmed.
John Wayne is perfectly cast as Quirt Evans, a fast-drawing, crack-shooting cowboy and Gail Russell is Penelope Worth.
Opposites attract, as the lovely and sweet Quaker girl Penelope Worth, ( Gail Russell ) falls in love with badman Quirt Evans, ( John Wayne ) who tries to resist the tempting gentle beauty for awhile .
What people who have reviewed the film, have overlooked is the why behind the relationship behind Quirt Evans (Wayne), and Penelope Worth (Gail Russell), which is essentially she was a woman who was essentially put on Earth by God for Quirt, and vice versa.
That's what Quaker Gail Russell sets out to do to gunslinger John Wayne in this light-hearted western.
Old rivals also seem to want to see him six feet under, but while recovering from injuries with Russell's family's help, Wayne begins to see life from a different perspective.This interesting but occasionally slow-moving film has some great action sequences and a lot of heart.
In a roster that is worthy of a movie of Directors Frank Capra or John Ford, we have: Gail Russell, Harry Carey and Bruce Cabot join John Wayne and an equally impressive array of supporting players in a storyline that would appear to be singularly unique, a very unusual occurrence in "Tinseltown." WHAT WE MEAN is that ANGEL AND THE BADMAN covers all of the bases.
The story begins with a shoot out and takes Wayne, the gunslinger, mumbingly half-conscious, to the house of some Quaker family, who nurse him back to health, introduce him to the purity of their daughter, Gail Russel, and finally convert him from his heathen ways.Wayne by this time was a propulsive force at Republic and this is "A John Wayne Production." Wayne was in a position to hire James Edward Grant as the writer, and Grant in fact does a journeyman job on the script.
A wounded "Quirt Evans" (John Wayne) is injured even more as his horse collapses near the house of a Quaker family, who take him in and treat him.He catches the eye of the daughter in the family (Gail Russell), and he is obviously attracted to her.
One of the best John Wayne Black and white westerns for the whole family.
It helps him change his life views in every way.So grab some popcorn and get the family gathered, sit back and enjoy this great John Wayne movie..
One Quaker in particular, Penny (Gail Russell), is the "angel" in this movie.Dr. Mangram (Tom Powers) comes over to take the bullet out.