A New Romance or Not? Old Ways or New?
Gunslinger Quirt Evans always had a rough life. His parents were killed by Indians, and he was raised by cowboys. He is accustomed to a life of rootlessness, violence, liquor, loose women, and gambling. The sheriff follows this badman around, expecting to nail him on a new misdeed.

All this seems to change, in this romantic old western, when Penelope, a young woman of the Quaker family that is nursing the bullet-wounded Evans back to health, falls in love with him. He gradually warms up to her. But she wonders--does love come all at once, or gradually? More important, are the feelings mutual?

The Quaker family prays that a greedy neighbor will let them have enough water for their flocks. Evans goes to the neighbor, and uses "friendly persuasion" to get him to release the water. It is even better than that. He completely changes his attitude to the Quaker family. "God works in mysterious ways," the family concludes.

In time, Evans has had enough of all the religiosity and "dullness". He leaves the farm, and goes back to his old life. Will he ever return to the heartbroken Penelope?

Evans is about to have a shootout with the men who originally wounded him. Just then, the Quaker family arrives on horse-drawn cart. Penelope, adhering to the Quaker belief in non-violence, persuades Evans to turn over his gun to her. Evans is then told by his adversaries to move away from the women, and to turn around. What now? Is he dead meat?

The Lovely Gail Russell
Wayne proved you could make an excellent western without a big budget in his company's first effort. While it has somehow garnered a reputation as second-tier Wayne over the years, mostly due to surviving prints of the film being just okay, this is actually a very entertaining film with a great cast and good story. Having seen it several times quite recently, it has that special quality of being watchable over and over.

Much of the reason is the lovely Gail Russell. She was most certainly the prettiest girl in Hollywood and it's no wonder that Wayne fell in love with her. She was terribly shy in real life, and truly had to will herself to step in front of the camera. But the camera loved her and so did audiences. Angel and the Badman, The Unseen, and The Uninvited are probably her best moments on film. Her Penelope, the lovely young Quaker girl who prompts gunslinger Quirt Evans to give up his guns, is one of her best remembered roles.

Quirt (Wayne) has been wounded by his nemesis on the outlaw trail, Laredo Stevens (Bruce Cabot), and his gang is hot on his trail when Penelope and her father (John Halloran) rescue him during the chase. Bystanders are stunned when the Quaker family takes Quirt into their home to mend, knowing his reputation with a gun can only bring disaster for them. But from the moment they begin calling him Brother, much to his chagrin, they only see the good in Quirt and it begins to wear him down.

Or perhaps it's the big dark eyes of Penelope, and her ethereal beauty and faith in Quirt which causes him to gradually change. There is a bit too much talk at times, but it is balanced by a saloon brawl and some cattle rustling. It is the romance between Quirt and Penelope which is the heart and soul of things, however. Harry Carey gives a great supporting performance as Marshall Wistful McClintock, at first hanging around to see if Laredo will take out Quirt or Quirt will take out Laredo, then to see if Penelope can really change Quirt and make him lay down his gun.

Anyone could guess the outcome but it is very entertaining getting there. Wayne and Russell made a nice couple and there is a charm to their romance missing in some of Wayne's bigger budget westerns of the era. A very enjoyable movie for a Saturday morning in bed and a nice way to remember Gail Russell.

Rewiew of angel & the Bad Man
This will be short and sweet! This movie is one of the best early John Wayne movies. Made in the early 1940's, It has everything a good western should have; horses, a bar-room fight, cattle rustlin', and horses. Who could ask for more. (Also a love story mixed in.)

This is a great movie, BUT...........
This is a great movie, but do not buy this version put out by Alpha Studios. The picture is ok but the sound is terrible. Buy the Goodtimes version instead. The picture and sound on the Goodtimes version are great. The DVD cover has Mr. Wayne by himself with a gun. Check the other reviews for the movie description but don't buy this version!

Angel and the Badman
It is one of John Wayne's Best "chick Flicks" and my personal favorites. To me it is worth a 5 star.