Back when "The Outlaw" was completed, the film sat on the shelf for two years because it was considered unacceptable for the public. The Production Code was pretty much in full force and theater after theater either refused to show it or the local legal authorities threatened to jail the owners of the theaters. What was so indecent about this film? Apparently Jane Russell's breasts--and the many cleavage shots you see of her. However, you never see her breasts and by today's standards, it's actually a pretty tame film. Unfortunately, all this controversy made this film famous. I say unfortunately because after finally getting around to seeing it, it's a terrible movie! It seems that although the producer, Howard Hughes, took TONS of efforts to film the breast just right, no effort was made to get a script worth filming. The dialog is terrible, the film amazingly talky (VERY VERY VERY talky) and dull and historically speaking, it's even worse than the usual western about the semi-mythical heroes of the west.

Speaking of getting the history wrong, there is no concrete evidence that Billy the Kid (a rather minor outlaw, by the way) knew or met Doc Holliday. But, what we DO know is that Holliday was NOT killed by Pat Garrett like he was in this film. He died in a sanitarium in Colorado of Tuberculosis!! In fact, most of the film is just made up junk--much of which was deliberately peppered with sexual innuendo. In one scene, it appears as if Billy the Kid rapes a lady (Russell) and she later falls in love with him (a VILE cliché to say the least)! There are also scenes between them where she needs to cut off his clothes to save his life and it's STRONGLY implied she got naked with him to keep him warm! Pretty spicy stuff for 1941 (when the film was completed) but the rest of the film is so dumb and flat that the ONLY thing of interest is all the innuendo!

I will point out that the acting was generally pretty bad. Walter Huston was such a good actor that in spite of everything, his scenes were decent. As for newcomers Jack Buetel and Jane Russell, they were simply awful--and the director did nothing to pull convincing performances from them. But the worst actor in this one was Thomas Mitchell, as he was a very experienced actor and STILL did a bunch of crappy scenes (especially near the end). Overall, there's NOTHING to like about this film aside from Russell's pulchritude.

By the way, didn't anyone think to tell Russell that she kept BADLY mispronouncing 'Guadalupe' throughout the film--even though the lady was supposed to be her aunt?

Also, if you go to New Mexico, you can visit Billy's graves. Yes, I say graveS because there's one near the roadway that is for tourists and the REAL one nearby. And yes, in real life Pat Garrett DEFINITELY killed Billy in the end--but not in this dopey film.

Jane Russell and her bosoms got most of the publicity from this film and fortunately for her she got into other better pictures and had a career. The same could not be said for Mr. Beutel.

But Jane and her cleavage is superfluous to the story. This is about two middle-aged gay men, Walter Huston and Thomas Mitchell, jealous over the young hunk. It's the only way the plot makes any sense.

In Jane Russell's memoirs she recounts the difference in attitude of Thomas Mitchell and Walter Huston. Mitchell was moaning and groaning about how horrible the film was, why did he ever sign for it, the film would be his ruin, etc. etc.

In contrast Walter Huston's attitude was I've taken Howard Hughes's money I'll say whatever kind of drivel he wants before the camera and laugh about it later.

Also, I love Tchaikovsky themes, but I really think Howard Hughes should have hired Dimitri Tiomkin whose music really added something to a lot of great westerns to do an original score. Tchaikovsky was frighteningly out of place here.

The Outlaw has to be seen to be believed.

Sheriff Pat Garrett welcomes Doc Holliday to Lincoln, New Mexico. Doc finds his horse and Billy the Kid who claims to have bought him. While he's trying to sleep in the stables, Billy is shot at by Rio McDonald (Jane Russell).

I like that Billy is actually a kid but he's a little light for the role. He has an odd connection with Doc which doesn't feel right. His demeanor is mostly wrong for the cold blooded killer. Thomas Mitchell is also a little light for the role of Pat Garrett. I see him more as a comedic actor. I don't think these two actors fit. The story is a muddle and there are many instances of bad directing choices. The music is bad and overpowering. The comedic turns are bad. There are some overwrought camera work more like a silent movie. On the other hand, there is a compelling scene where the gunman slowly points his gun at the camera which quick cuts to Billy's mid-section. That fast draw sequence is really memorable. Of course, none of this matters. This movie is much more noted for Jane Russell's bust. This is not a good movie but her bust line is well worth a watch. The posters may be even more iconic. This is a triumph of advertising over the actual product.