A LAWLESS STREET
US, 1955, 78 minutes, Colour.
Randolph Scott, Angela Lansbury, Jean Parker, Wallace Ford, Michael Pate.
Directed by Joseph H. Lewis.
A Lawless Street is one of many Randolph Scott westerns of the '50s. The material is familiar but well-played. The film highlights the lawlessness of the frontiers and the need for the administration of justice.
There is unusual casting with Angela Lansbury as the heroine. There are many character actors who bring to life their supporting roles: Wallace Ford as the doctor, Jean Parker as the ageing woman, Michael Pate as the gunfighter.
The film was directed by Joseph H. Lewis, director of a number of westerns and thrillers in the '40s and '50s (Terror in a Texas Town, The Halliday Brand). His reputation has increased considerably in the ensuing decades.
1. An interesting and enjoyable western? A piece of Americana? Themes of law and order?
2. Colour photography, the atmosphere of the western town? Musical score?
3. The title and its focus on law and order, the administration of justice, the role of the marshall, the gunfighters, the power hungry?
4. The focus on Calem Ware? Randolph Scott's presence? The background of his character, his administration of justice, his use of the gun? His role in Medicine Bend? Keeping the town in order? Friendships? Clashes with the powerful? The gunfighter sent to get him? His readiness with the gun? The arrival of Tally? The story of his past, his marriage? His attempt to put order in the town, avoid violence? The confrontation with the gunfighter? His being wounded? His return to the surprise of Cody and Thorne? The shootout with the gunfighter? The resolution with Tally? The death of the villains? The handing over of the badge to Dean? A man of the West?
5. Tally and her arrival, her song and dance routine? The attraction to Thorne? Her note to Calem, their reconciliation, the memories of the past, her wanting him to settle down, her being horrified at the drama in the town, decision to leave, the news of Calem's death, the talk with Doc? The clash with Thorne? Her decision to stay, her warnings to Calem? Happy resolution?
6. Thorne and Clark and their power. their control over people, Thorne's use of Cora, of Tally? The clash with Ware? The paying of gunfighters? The hiring of the gunfighter and the shootout? Their declaring the town free? Calem's arrival? Their hurrying to get out? Thorne's accidental shooting of Clark? The finale? The confrontation with Asaph Dean?
7. Asaph Dean and his wealth, relying on Ware to keep law and order? His patience with his wife's flirtations? Cora and her flirtation with Thorne, Thorne's arrival at the ranch and her hearing the truth? Her willingness to testify? Reconciliation with her husband?
8. Doc and his friendship, support, saving Calem's life, talking to Tal1y?
9. The gunfighters and their coming to town, their deaths? Dingo and his death? His widow and her reaction, Dooley and the fight with Calem, the widow and her affirmation of Dooley, Dooley's helping Calem? The gunfighter and the memories of the past, his being outmanoeuvred by Calem?
10. Familiar themes of power, justice, wealth in the western towns? The western hero? Guns and violence? Law and lawlessness?
