Badman's Territory

Badman's Territory is a 1946 American Western film starring Randolph Scott. It was followed by the loose sequels Return of the Bad Men (1948) and Best of the Badmen (1951).

Badman's Territory
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTim Whelan
Written byJack Natteford
Luci Ward
Upson Young
Bess Taffel
Produced byNat Holt
StarringRandolph Scott
Ann Richards
CinematographyRobert de Grasse
Edited byPhilip Martin Jr.
Music byRoy Webb
Production
company
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release date
  • April 11, 1946 (1946-04-11) (U.S.)[1]
Running time
97-98 mins
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish


Plot

Just north of Texas and west of the Oklahoma border is "Badman's Territory", a region not yet governed by statehood. This is where Jesse James and brother Frank head after a train robbery, along with their partner, Coyote.

Mark Rowley, a lawman, and his deputy brother Johnny are after the James gang. So is a ruthless U.S. marshal named Hampton, who shoots anybody who gets in his way. He even wings Johnny Rowley just to take the newly captured Coyote away from him.

In the town of Quinto, newspaper editor Henryetta Alcott is a crusader for law and order. Mark takes an immediate liking to her. He also helps Belle Starr's horse win a big race.

Johnny's injuries mend, but the Dalton Gang persuades Johnny to go bad and join them. Mark tries to dissuade him. He shoots a man named McGee who stole his horse. Hampton puts up wanted posters on both Rowleys.

Henryetta spreads the word that Oklahoma has annexed this territory into the union. Mark is appointed a "regulator" and proposes marriage to Henryetta before he rides to Coffeyville, Kansas, where the Daltons are about to pull a job with Johnny as part of the gang.

When Johnny is shot and killed, Mark and Coyote bury him in the woods where they overhear Hampton and his men planning to ride to Quinto. After evacuating the town, Rowley meets Hampton and his men alone and is taken into custody. Shortly thereafter, Coyote shows up and is shot by Hampton after refusing to testify against Rowley.

The story ends with Hampton being exposed and Rowley being found not guilty before riding off in a wagon with Henryetta Alcott.

Cast

Production

Filming started September 1945.[2]

Reception

The film made a profit of $557,000.[3]

References
  1. "Badman's Territory: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  2. "STAR OF 'DILLINGER' GETS JAMES ROLE". New York Times. September 15, 1945. ProQuest 107016283.
  3. Richard Jewell & Vernon Harbin, The RKO Story. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House, 1982. p211
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