Woman They Almost Lynched

One of those unusual westerns with two women as the central characters... such as in "Johnny Guitar" and "Jubilee Trail," among others. During the Civil War in a town run by ruthless people, bad Kate has it in for darling Sally but stay tuned to the climactic ending to see how this all works out. Definitely a cheap oater with few production values, but it does have lively performances from Joan Leslie and Audrey Totter. If you know these actresses, then you know who plays whom. Fourth-billed Leslie is actually the star of this dopey-titled film and is always a joy to watch. For those who love women fight scenes, this has one of the fun ones. So glad I have it on my homemade VHS as this little-seen film is unlikely to ever be on DVD.

In many ways this rollicking piece of Republic hokum resembles 'Johnny Guitar' with a sense of humour; it's tongue-in-cheek mood established at the outset by the opening narration describing America after the Civil War as a time of "rebels and renegades" followed by an exchange between a youngster and an old timer when the lad asks "Where is everybody?" and the old boy replies "Up at the lynching" and the later throwaway line "You killed five Yankee soldiers on your way into town!"

That although playing the title role Joan Leslie - who although formerly a Sunday school teacher soon shows herself pretty adept with a six shooter - only gets billed fourth does her a grave disservice; since despite the presence of famous western outlaws like Brian Donlevy as William Quantrell (for some reason here called 'Charles Quantrill'), Jim Davis as Cole Younger and Ben Cooper as a fresh-faced young Jesse James a remarkable feature of the film is the preponderance of females, from Nina Varela as the lady mayoress with robust views on capital punishment to a blonde Audrey Totter in a black hat and leather pants - definitely not a lady but certainly all woman - as Quantrill's wife Kate who engages Miss Leslie in a terrific catfight admiringly described by one onlooker as "a better fight than the war between the north and the south".

Too bad it wasn't made in Trucolor as was originally intended. Still, you can't have everything.

I do not write many reviews. However I feel compelled to write this 1 about a film I had never hear of.

I am a big fan of westerns and chanced upon this movie. And I found it a very well made and fun movie. The cast on a whole from saloon gals, to mayor and city committee, to bar employee, to confederate and union soldiers including Quantrell raiders, and city folk really seemed to enjoy their roles. My guess this film was a gas to make. The writing was good with appearances of Jesse James and Cole Younger. And directed well by somebody who had many years of experience.

Overall I gave this movie an 8. High rating for a entertaining movie!

The immortal silent movie's director Allan Dwann still alives in talked movies and made a outstanding and prolific career with more than 400 movies, probably never will be surpassed nowadays, this western wasn't any kind of forgotten gem or something like that, just a different kind, where the women are the major stars, Joan Leslie as new Saloon's owner, Audrey Totter as a evil and bitter Quantrill's wife and Nina Varela as the City's Mayor, all them strong and powerful, the story is usual, took place during the civil war!!

Resume:

First watch: 2017 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7

The movie is unusual because the ladies are the powerful ones in this movie. Audrie Totter is the cowgirl Emma Peel Because of her sexy leather pants and riding boots. Audrey is also the opposite of Emma because of her evil disposition. Warren O'Leary.