Return of the Badmen Reviews

This sequel to the 1946 film BADMAN'S TERRITORY takes the same premise as its precursor, presenting numerous figures of the Old West and throwing historical accuracy to the winds. Scott is a marshal who has put down his guns for a peaceful retirement. Meanwhile, in the Oklahoma territory, Ryan is busy assembling what amounts to a "Who's Who" gang of outlaws, including Brodie, Powers, and Bray as the Younger brothers; Barker, Reed, and Harvey as the Daltons; White as Billy the Kid; Armstrong as Bill Doolin; and Tyler and Harvey as Bill Yeager and the Arkansas Kid. This supergang begins a reign of terror that includes stage holdups and train robberies. Scott faces up to the gang and ends up the victor when the haze of gunsmoke has cleared by the film's end. Considering the large cast of outlaws this easily could have degenerated into an action-packed mess, with the name bandits popping in for periodic color. However, Enright has orchestrated the action with a fine feel for the material, never losing sight of the central conflict between Ryan and Scott amid the mayhem. The two men play well off one another, creating some realistic tension that carries through to the very end. The supporting players fill out the picture as well, with not a role wasted. Brodie and Armstrong are standouts among the gang members, giving lively and colorful performances. Jeffreys, as a reformed lady gunslinger, gives some good support as one of Scott's love interests, while perennial B western sidekick Hayes provides some comic relief as a banker. A good compendium of many western elements.