Johnny Reno

Although he was a notorious gunman in his early days, a man by the name of "Johnny Reno" (Dana Andrews) has since obtained a new lease on life and become a U. S. marshal intent on upholding law and order. To that effect, this film begins with him riding in the country when, quite unexpectedly, he is fired upon by two men who believe he is chasing after them. Much to their regret, neither of them turn out to be nearly as good with a gun as their intended target and as a result one of them named "Ab Conners" (Dale Van Sickel) is killed while his brother "Joe Conners" (Tom Drake) is subsequently wounded and forced to surrender. It's only then that Joe learns that Marshal Reno was going to Stone Junction on an entirely different matter and had never heard of him or his brother until that moment. That being said, having found out that Joe is wanted for murder, Marshal Reno has no choice but to take him into the nearest town where he can be bandaged before being escorted to Kansas City to stand trial. However, once he gets to Sone Junction, he finds that, rather than having his prisoner tried in a legal setting, the mayor of Stone Junction "Jess Yates" (Lyle Bettger) insists that he be lynched instead--and he is quite willing to do whatever is necessary to see that happen. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that, even though it wasn't necessarily a spectacular Western by any means, it had several well-known actors like Jane Russell (as "Nona Williams"), Lon Chaney Jr. ("Sheriff Hodges") and the aforementioned Dana Andrews all performing in their usual solid manner and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

1965's "Johnny Reno" was number 7 of the 13 Paramount Westerns from house producer A.C. Lyles, returning many veteran performers from previous entries: Dana Andrews (second), Lon Chaney (7 for 7), John Agar (fourth), Lyle Bettger (second), Richard Arlen (sixth), Robert Lowery (second), Reg Parton (fifth), Rodd Redwing (second), plus first timers Jane Russell and Tom Drake. The Conners brothers are accused of killing an educated young Indian in the Kansas town of Stone Junction, where federal marshal Johnny Reno (Dana Andrews) hopes to rekindle old flame Nona Williams (the still scrumptious Jane Russell). Thinking the marshal is pursuing them, the brothers open fire on Reno, who kills Ab Conners (Dale Van Sickel) in self defense, taking the wounded Joe Conners (Tom Drake) into custody. Stone Junction's mayor, Jess Yates (Lyle Bettger), seems all too anxious for Reno to return to St. Louis and leave his prisoner with Sheriff Hodges (Lon Chaney), which only whets the marshal's curiosity about the facts behind the murder charge. The longer he sticks around, the greater his suspicions become, and with the formerly cowed sheriff regaining his pride by backing Reno, prejudice and bigotry are soon vanquished. Lyle Bettger makes for an effectively slimy villain, John Agar and Robert Lowery in compliance, while Tom Drake is believable in his desperation. Jane Russell ably provides the surprisingly strong love interest, her backstory similar to that of Johnny Reno, living down past mistakes made out of love or loyalty. His career slowly winding down, Lon Chaney once again enjoys a chance to shine as Sheriff Hodges, refusing to allow vigilantism in standing up for law and order, getting shot in his final act of selflessness. The lone actor to thus far appear in all seven Lyles Westerns, Chaney only did one more, 1967's "Buckskin" (the last of the 13 to be released).

This is a Western that isn't made with enough hate for the Beavis and Butthead viewers that dominate the critics board of the late twentieth and early twenty first centuries.

Hopefully, the later generations won't be as negative and unprovoked in hatred' Dana Andrews plays a very daring role that most actors wouldn't dare to play, someone who isn't a homicidal maniac. But there are other homicidal maniacs to make the haters happy. Of course they don't fare so well, which is what makes this a different sort of Western.

"Johnny Reno" is one of the thirteen low-budget westerns produced by A.C. Lyles in the sixties. It stars Dana Andrews, Jane Russell, Lon Chaney, Richard Arlen, Lyle Bettger and Tom Drake. The premise is a simple one. Sheriff Andrews is heading to a small town in order to see his one-time sweetheart (Russell). On the way, he is set upon by two brothers who think he is after them. Forced to shoot one, he captures the other (Drake) and brings him into town. His prisoner insists he is innocent of the crime the whole town wants him hanged for, and after hearing his story, will Andrews believe him? The film is an enjoyable time waster, mostly for the appearances of the veteran stars, but the story is also fairly suspenseful. Previously available only on a full screen videocassette, "Johnny Reno" has been released on DVD in a well-preserved widescreen edition. Hopefully, the rest in the series will follow.

Lyle Bettger is one of those stalwarts whose names probably mean nothing to most average filmgoers but who enjoy instant recognition on the screen…

Bettger was far better knows as a blond, blue-eyed villain given to exuding pathological hated... His good looks worked for him in every determined effort, even as a menacing villain with a snickering charm...

Dana Andrews plays Marshal Johnny Reno, who used to be one of the top gunfighters… He just arrived with a prisoner called Joe Conners (Tom Drake) considered by the citizens of Stone Junction as a little Indian-killer…

Of course the Mayor of the town Jess Yates (Buttger) assures the marshal that Conners will be given a fair trial and asked him to get out of the town fast…

In spite of hearing that the lynch mob will be out there and one way or another they'll get Conners, the tough marshal tells everybody that his prisoner is in his protective custody and anybody who wants to get to him is going to have to step over his dead body…

That day, the way it happened—before the Connors mess—Reno was riding to see somebody he once knew, Nona Williams (Jane Russell). He knew the woman years before when he was the righteous lawman in the town where she lived… He has been wearing a badge ever since… Nona made a mistake and he couldn't forgive her…

Lon Chaney Jr shows up as a sheriff who forgets that his job is law and order…

Filmed in Technicolor and Panavision, "Johnny Reno" remains a tedious little Western worth a matinée