Arizona Bill

It may be that women will like The Bad Man Of Brimstone markedly better than men, as indicated by the IMDb user ratings. Not the least because the plot is so sudsy a contemporary New York Times review called it "the Madame X of horse operas." That doesn't mean that old tough guys, such as yours truly, will not like it as well. One of the few Class-A westerns of the 1930's, this handsomely turned out Wallace Berry vehicle is an action-packed, gritty, authentic, adult oater with top-notch production values.

Ruthless outlaw Trigger Bill (Beery) is just getting set to ventilate young itinerant prize fighter/tax collector Dennis O'Keefe for having the unmitigated gall of standing up to him, when he discovers by one of those unlikely but charming Hollywood coincidences that the young man is the son he abandoned many years ago. From here on the tough outlaw leader goes out of his way and very much out of character to protect his son both from the bullets of his own gang and from finding out his father is such a bad man. Many plot complications and much gun smoke ensue before the inevitable resolution.

Beery gets expert support from top MGM character player Lewis Stone as a formerly upright lawyer who falls in with the outlaws; gorgeous and talented Virginia Bruce as Stone's feisty daughter and O'Keefe's love interest; Joseph Calleia as Beery's loyal, easy-going sidekick Portuguese Ben; Guy Kibbe as O'Keefe's manager; and the ubiquitous Bruce Cabot in one of his stock cold-blooded gunman portrayals. Director J. Walter Ruben, who also had a hand in the intelligent, engrossing story, guides all with a sure hand. Dialog is crisp and colorful. The black and white cinematography by Clyde DeVinna is straight-forward but aesthetically pleasing. Editing is smooth with a couple of stylish montage sequences. The all important pacing provides a well-timed rhythm of action and melodrama, both driven along at the appropriate speed by Dr. William Axt's flavorful original score. Production values are first rate with authentic, colorful sets and costumes and outdoor scenes filmed on several scenic locations in Utah, Arizona, and California. The climatic shoot-out is big enough and violent enough to do credit to a later Italian Western, but more realistic and artistically staged than one of theirs.

But Beery, as always, is the main attraction here. And he is at his absolute menacing, snarling, mugging, smarmy, conniving, crude, gross, horrible yet fascinating, likable scoundrel best. Like any of his vehicles, this picture is at times corny, sentimental, and generally overdone, but nevertheless tremendously enjoyable all the way though. Leonard Maltin's condescending review says it's only for Beery fans, but yours truly and the grouchy old wife say, how could anyone not be one!

The Bad Man Of Brimstone is exciting, dramatically engaging, amusing, charming, beautifully filmed, top-notch Old Hollywood Western entertainment.

Guy kibbee and lewis stone were supporting players in so many black and whites films. Tough guy wallace beery had already won his oscar for champ in 1931. His brother noah is in here, way down in the cast list as ambrose. It's a a western, from 1879, in arizona. Ol bill is the tough outlaw, who bullies the locals, and steals their livestock. So far, no-one has had the gumption to stand up to him. He's a no good, lying cheat, who takes advantage of any situation. And his partner blackjack is even worse. Fighter jeff burton is a law abiding citizen, who wants to do the right thing. He even makes marshall. Some old secrets may be uncovered from days past. Cliff edwards and his banjo are in here, in one of his more serious roles. When the show-down happens, whose side will bill take ? Blackjack... .. or jeff? And what will it mean to the family secrets that may come out? Some beautiful outdoor scenery of the cliffs of zion national park. It's a very typical western... with some hollywood greats. Directed by walter ruben. Died real young of a bad heart. Only directed one more film after this.

Unlike the typical Wallace Beery character, who is bad but good down deep, this incarnation is amazingly evil and actually murders several people in the course of this movie! He truly IS the BAD man of Brimstone!!

When the film begins, Jeff (Dennis O'Keefe) is headed west in a stagecoach. It's held up and the masked bandit (Wallace Beery) knocks him out and steals his watch. Later, Beery looks inside the pocket watch and sees a photo....and realizes the person he knocked out is his son he'd deserted long, long ago! When Jeff is made a deputy in order to collect taxes, Bill decides to help him...and apparently Bill is NOT good at being good! What's next? See the film.

So is this more violent and nasty version of Wallace Beery and this film worth seeing? Yes. It's got an exciting finale and O'Keefe is quite good. Overall, not a great film but one that is enjoyable despite its flaws.

When watching this movie you have to remember the time frame it was filmed in. The humor displayed has been repeated through the years, but here it was cutting edge. The character portrayed by Beery was incredible. I only wish I could find a copy of this movie for my personal collection. OKeefe is the perfect foil for the rascally character played by Beery. You have to pay attention to what is happening all around the characters to appreciate the cold blooded humor this movie contains. If you get the chance, see it. If you get the chance tape it. The scene where the campfire is dying out and BEERY takes his new found son's blanket is a classic piece of work. You have to laugh out loud in this movie. I wish I could have caught it uncut on the big screen (at least as big as they were in the thirties)

I am not sure why this film is not shown more often on television. I watched it as a lark, and was very glad that I did. Wallace Berry does an excellent job of playing the bad guy with a soft spot for a young man who he learns is actually his son - reminding one of his portrayal of Long John Silver in Treasure Island. Berry's character is bad - best witnessed by a cold blooded murder of someone who thought he might have a soft spot and later during the collecting of taxes. The story revolves around the newcomers to the Old West who want law and order and the old timers who ruled by intimidation and violence. In many ways, Wallace has sown his own fate. Joseph Calleia does an equally good job at playing the loyal (and in this case evil) sidekick. Dennis O'Keefe (in one of his first credited roles) does well as the son and the scene in which he realizes he is in love with Virginia Bruce's character is bound to bring smiles to any young man who remembers his first love. Lewis Stone does a very good job as the lawyer/judge who knows better but is seduced by the dark side of the Old West. The plot is more complex than can be summarized and the writing is first rate. Some scene are not especially politically correct these days - native Americans might be offended. Highly recommended - watch it if you can find it on.