If you are a Christian, of whatever denomination, Gail Russell as Penelope Worth, is the woman you go down on your knees to pray to God for. I am not trying to convert anyone here. I like John Wayne films, from the stern and relentless Red River and The Searchers, to his more relaxed oaters of later years, such as Rio Bravo and El Dorado. Exquisite is not an adjective I would normally apply to a John Wayne film but this I would to this. The gunslinger tamed by the Quaker gal whom any man who had any faith and prayer in him would pray mightily for in his life. There have been some beguiling heroines on the silver screen but in my book none so eminently the woman a man should, literally, be blessed with. My compliments to the script, direction and to the leads for such exquisite portrayal.

IN AN ATTEMPT to move up the Hollywood food chain, the Duke's own company produced this very interesting Oater. This was his first time in calling all of the shots; being a sort of "Mini-Mogul." Of course, He would have his own production company; with any or all of the Major Hollywood Studios anxious to do business. But for the time being, he stayed where he had been under contract for so long; namely Republic Pictures.AS FOR THE film, it appears to have slipped into public domain; as it is one of those movies that appear on local channels so often. It is especially with the likes of PBS affiliates; along with the likes of SANTA FE TRAIL, OUR TOWN and THEY MADE ME A CRIMIINAL.THIS FACT SHOULD not act as a turn-off to any potential viewer; for it truly has so much to offer an audience.TO START WITH, it has such a great cast. 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. Just ask; does it have action, great storyline, Romance, conflict, substantial sub-plots, redeeming social content, a morale and a happy ending? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding yes! THE STORY ALSO predates other movies in having the Christian Denomination called The Society of Friends playing a major role in its story. Better known as the Quakers, this film predates both FRIENDLY PERSUASION and HIGH NOON in making an appeal to the general public to perhaps emulate these people's outlook and general behavior on life.ANOTHER HIGHLY RECOMMENDING aspect of ANGEL AND THE BADMAN is that it's one of those movies that one can enjoy again and again. So, when there is nothing else on late, just check your local PBS Affiliate and see if the're running it. (There's no pledge required!)*NOTE: * Ooohh, Lucky us here in Chicago, for we have three (3) PBS Stations! They are: WTTW Channel 11, WYCC Channel 20 and Lakeshore Public Television (NW Indiana & Chicago) Channel 56.

Angel and The Badman is a quaint romantic western with a predictable story, but in this case it really works. The film is a perfect blend of an extremely ruthless gunslinger being tamed by the highly moral Quakers. 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 . His rough past follows him though, with the persistent single-minded older sheriff, Wistful McClintock ( Harry Carey ) who was always determined to bring Quirt Evans to justice. But he's not the only nemesis in Quirt's criminal past. As the story builds, it ends superbly with the tender Quaker girl, finally asserting herself, convincing the badman to hang up his weapons for good. Gail Russell excels in her performance, proving to be a very versatile actress. Along with an interesting cast of characters, all finely played by a good first-rate cast, this film is surprisingly impressive. The message of the opposition to violence, is a different and refreshing change for a John Wayne movie. John Wayne was such an important star for Republic Pictures, that they allowed him to produce this film. Although not a classic, the results are still enjoyable and worth a look.

This film is an absolute masterpiece, and one of John Wayne's best. 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. Without Penelope, he would have been doomed, either from the wounds he received prior to meeting her, or by McClintock (Harry Carey), or by some other means. There was a reviewer who said "She threw herself at Quirk.", which was really not true. She was a woman of tremendous faith and devotion, and thus knew that she and Quirt had been put together for a reason,by a higher authority. So that even when he left, she knew he would return, and in the most pivotal scene of the film (Spoilers ahead) where her after she almost dies, and gets a fever, a miracle occurs, and it goes away (Which Dr. Mangram (Tom Powers) acknowledges) and has her father take her to him, and was able prevent the showdown between Quirt and Laredo Stevens (Bruce Cabot) where MCClintock would have killed Quirt. Quirt essentially knew the same thing, because he got tired of the wild life and came back to her. Finally, he was willing to give up his guns and become a farmer for Penelope. The simple reason is Quirt & Penelope were supposed to be together, and they would do whatever was necessary to remain together.