A western the good times with John Wayne showing here that really was the great actor of westerns in the role of Quirt Evans, an out-of-law is delighted with the daughter of a pastor, and radically change his life. The film produced by Republic, was directed by James Edward Grant, also a writer and screenwriter of numerous films, among them: The Sheepman, The Alamo, The Last Wagon, The Proud Rebel, Hondo, McLintock !, and many others. But "Angel and the Badman" had the merit to meet John Wayne and the beautiful Gail Russell, who, for all we know, lived a great passion for years and years. The film, in excellent black and white, has a very simple story, and is masterfully played by Wayne and Russell. It also has the presence of Harry Carey in the role of deputy chasing Quirt wherever he goes, developing a remarkable character and contributing to a film, initially without much pretension, stay forever etched in our memory. It is a nostalgic film that transports us to a very different era and that delights in the simplicity and competence of the actors and director.

This is an interesting rather than a good, bad or indifferent film which marked the producing debut of John Wayne from which we may infer that he had a hand in developing the project and, by extension, an interest in the good-versus-evil conflict which is the main thrust of the plot. Those who know her tragic history - she drank herself to death at 36 - will also be monitoring the performance of Gail Russell for signs of the alcoholism that ultimately cost her her life. She tended to specialise in virginal roles - in which she was a hundred times more convincing than Doris Day - which of course created an irony given the fact that she began drinking to combat nerves when faced with the camera. Although it is a western and Duke does carry a gun and is celebrated for his fast draw the 'action' is more concerned with his growing awareness of the non-violent world than gunfights. Against all the odds it works and makes a refreshing change in the genre.

Quirt Evans, an all round bad guy.He is nursed back to health and sought after by Penelope Worth a quaker girl. He eventually finds himself having to choose between his world and the world Penelope lives in.Which will he choose?It a decent Western of the kind they don't make any longer.John Wayne was such a good actor. Really no one can take his place.There's a reason he was always on the top 10 box office list his entire career.

Angel and The Badman is a quaint romantic western with a predictable story, but in this case it really works. The film is a perfect blend of an extremely ruthless gunslinger being tamed by the highly moral Quakers. Opposites attract, as the lovely and sweet Quaker girl Penelope Worth, ( Gail Russell ) falls in love with badman Quirt Evans, ( John Wayne ) who tries to resist the tempting gentle beauty for awhile . His rough past follows him though, with the persistent single-minded older sheriff, Wistful McClintock ( Harry Carey ) who was always determined to bring Quirt Evans to justice. But he's not the only nemesis in Quirt's criminal past. As the story builds, it ends superbly with the tender Quaker girl, finally asserting herself, convincing the badman to hang up his weapons for good. Gail Russell excels in her performance, proving to be a very versatile actress. Along with an interesting cast of characters, all finely played by a good first-rate cast, this film is surprisingly impressive. The message of the opposition to violence, is a different and refreshing change for a John Wayne movie. John Wayne was such an important star for Republic Pictures, that they allowed him to produce this film. Although not a classic, the results are still enjoyable and worth a look.