One element in the enormous impact of B Westerns such as with Hopalong Cassidy, is the old school Western sidekick archetype, patented by George F. Hayes, an archetype of a free American recognizable right up to today. This Randolph Scott Western has a bigger budget, higher quality and longer running time than a B, but checks the boxes that make B's fun to watch. Gabby gets a major starring role and with good direction here gives, for him, a classic performance. This is set mostly in town but there are enough outdoor scenes, stunts, musical interludes and an extraordinary scene with an impressive band of friendly Native Americans on horses taking over the town, and is well acted. Lawrence Tierney is excellent as Jesse James and the ambiguity between who is good or bad fits the noir period of 1946. Isabel Jewell fits perfectly in this Western setting and gives a good example with Ann Richards of independent women on the frontier. This setting of ungoverned land provides a unique challenge for the mastery of Randolph Scott.
Review of Badman's Territory
