Wallace Beery plays pretty much the same style character he'd been playing in films for years. Like his Long John Silver from "Treasure Island", he's a bad guy in disguise as a good one...and deep within is a heart of gold. In fact, in many ways, the film is almost like a remake or at least was heavily influenced by this earlier Beery film.The film is set in the old West and Beery is the head of a gang of outlaws. A posse is pursuing them when they come upon a lone Mormon scout--who they soon kill. Later, in order to avoid capture, Beery and his sidekick (J. Carrol Naish) join the nearby Mormon caravan--telling them how the man they actually murdered "died trying to save our lives" and that they are Mormon converts. Naturally, the two no-good galoots are accepted into the caravan and go along with them--at least until the coast is clear.The Mormon folk are friendly, but Beery is particularly affected by sweet Margaret O'Brien--who, as usual, plays an adorable kid. Slowly, he turns from his evil ways thanks to the power of niceness. However, I could easily see someone being a bit creeped out by O'Brien's overtures towards Beery throughout the film--like she wanted him for her boyfriend or future husband. Weird stuff, huh, though I don't think this is what the writers at MGM intended.Despite a few minor complaints, a most enjoyable but highly predictable and formulaic film--especially when O'Brien becomes ill at just the right time. Had this not been like many previous films, I probably would have rated this one a bit higher.By the way, at the 52 minute mark, Beery is sitting at a picnic table talking. If you pay attention to the background, trees keep appearing and moving each time the camera pans on him! Also, at the 68 minute mark, much of Beery's dialog was clearly dubbed using someone else's voice. Who and why they did this, I have no idea and the voice sounds much more like Harry Carey, Sr.'s voice. Oops.

I absolutely loved this movie, it's funny, sad and a real heart grabber. A must see for anyone who loves these kind of movies!!! The actors are all great, especially Margaret O'Brien, I love to watch her in movies, she's as good as Shirley Temple and Natalie Wood!!! Makes a person wonder how a child her age can act so well and be so convincing, you'd never know it wasn't really happening!! I had never seen this movie before today, didn't even know it was on until I flipped to the TCM channel; I missed the first part of it, but what I did see was great, was hoping it would be on again so I could see it all, but it's not in my TV listings. I would love to have it on DVD or VHS. Anyone know where or how I can purchase it?

Bad Bascomb is a true Western Classic. Wallace Beery was a great actor of his time; although there are other movies of his that my family and I liked, this one is the best.Marjorie Main & Margaret O'Brien are also a great asset to this film. I am sorry to say this movie is not shown on TV very often and is not available on VHS/DVD; hopefully in the near future.For all of you Wallace Beery fans, I am happy to report, I was e-mailed the other day from Turner Classic Movies, that this movie will be shown on TCM on Thursday, December 13th, at 6:00 pm ET; so have a new tape ready for this GREAT movie.Thank You for your time!! JAL

This was a good movie without any of the present day special effects. No swearing, no nudity and no sex. Just plain old good acting. Unfortunately, you have to be a fan of the older movies to really appreciate the quality of this movie and the actors of the era. J. Carrol Nash played the same type of villain as he did in Beau Geste, with Gary Cooper.