Movie Monday Review: The Bushwhakers

The Bushwhackers (1952)

Starring: John Ireland, Dorothy Malone, Wayne Morris, Lon Chaney Jr., Myrna Dell, Frank Marlowe, Jack Elam, William Holmes

Review

An interesting movie that seems to parallel the series that came later called “The Rebel” with Nick Adams. Unique in its ability to share the experiences that some Confederate soldiers would have had after losing the war. Leaving the South, because there was nothing left for them there and hoping to seek a better place. A decent teaching opportunity for those teaching their children about the effect of the Civil War ending, although not complete, it shows a bit of the tensions built up by soldiers and citizens at that time.

As always, Lon Chaney Jr. does a pretty decent job of acting the villain and looking as bad as ever. Jack Elam follows in a close second as an “evil bad guy”.

This movie shows very clearly what it means to stand for right and wrong and what the right way to do that means. As Dorothy Malone’s character thinks she can fight for right by using words, she soon realizes that without a plan, dangerous things will happen. Although John Ireland wishes not to be involved in bloodshed, he can’t stand injustice and works with the community to put a stop to corruption. With a plan, they succeed. The spineless attitude of the Marshall, played by Wayne Morris, shows that some people aren’t willing to stand up for what’s right. Overall, a good teaching moment for parents to teach their children character lessons.

This movie shows an interesting perspective, as it shows a woman as clearly the evil entity in Myrna Dell. She backs her father, but is, in more ways, worse than he. However, the movie ends it well with the villains turning on each other, allowing our hero to be free from that stain.

Filled with drama and a dash of humor, this movie is an enjoyable western of the era. The constant use of quotes by the newspaper editor add a bit of culture and the simple ways of the former soldier balance it all out. Perhaps more drama from Dorothy Malone than necessary, she is still better than many women of western movies that taunt the man with little relief. She soon is willing to accept the choices of Jefferson Waring.

Summary

The Civil War is over, the South has lost. Now an ex-Confederate soldier, Jefferson Waring (John Ireland) heads west to rid himself of the evils of war. He wishes never to pick up a gun against a man again and rides on without firearms. Arriving in Missouri, he witnesses some hoods burning out some settlers unrightfully. When spotted, he sends his horse on ahead and walks himself all night to the town. Falling asleep, he is soon awakened by the town newspaper editor Peter Sharpe (Frank Marlowe). After quoting him several old quotes from notable people, the confused Jeff simply gives him his own name and a handshake. Given a chance to sleep at Peter’s house, Jeff is soon awakened by an angry teacher named Cathy (Dorothy Malone) who is the Peter’s daughter and she doesn’t appreciate a stranger in her house.

Soon, Jeff finds himself in jail. Peter clears the situation up with Marshall Harding though and Jeff is released. However, he knows the truth about what happened to the homesteaders and he tells Peter and Cathy who are getting ready for the funeral. Jeff agrees to work for Peter temporarily, so that he can stay in town. He tells Cathy that he is not liking the town, because there’s too much fighting…he’s done with fighting. She can’t stomach this and tells Jeff he must be a coward. Cathy is mad at her father that he won’t face up to the bad man in town who seems to be running things.

Jeff leaves, hoping to find something better. As he’s riding along, someone shoots at him, barely missing. Soon, Jeff is face-to-face with Norah Taylor (Myrna Dell) and her ranch hand Ding (William Holmes). They inform Jeff that he is trespassing on private territory and because he saw the Railroad Surveyors, he must die. Norah takes him back home to face her father, Artemus Taylor (Lon Chaney Jr.) who is nearly bed-ridden due to arthritis.

Jeff wonders why he must die, but the truth soon comes out: Artemus Taylor knows that the Railroad is seeking to buy the land around his ranch that is currently being given out by the government to homesteaders. Taylor’s plan is to chase all the homesteaders off and be able to make a profit from the Railroad and Jeff knows too much. He sends Ding out to kill Jeff in a discreet way. Norah doesn’t trust Ding and sends another ranch hand out to kill both of them. Jeff escapes death after only getting slightly shot, while the other two ranch hands end each other.

Rescued by the homesteaders, Jeff is patched up. They are planning on taking action into their own hands, since Marshall Harding refuses to do anything. Jeff tells them about the Railroad and the plans of Taylor, they know they must act fast. The Marshall soon shows up and arrests Jeff after finding the two dead bodies, though everyone knows he’s innocent.

Cathy keeps insisting that something must be done before more homesteaders are killed, her father finally agrees. Posting something in his newspaper against Taylor, he soon regrets it when Cree (Jack Elam), a henchmen of Taylor’s, kills him. Jeff has taken all he can handle now, it isn’t a matter of taking up arms against men, it is about injustice. Breaking out of the jail, Jeff goes to the homesteaders and creates a plan.

Marshall Harding tells Taylor he won’t just do whatever he’s ordered anymore and he quits the office. Norah is angry, no one turns on them. She tells her father she will lead an attack against the homesteaders before it’s too late for the Railroad.

Jeff finds out about it and soon an ambush is set. Gathering the homesteaders, Jeff is able to take Norah and her gang of gunmen by surprise. They succeed, but Norah escapes. Jeff goes to see Taylor and tells him the gig is up, the shock kills Taylor.

Norah goes into town to see the lawyer and get all her money so she can skip town. When the lawyer refuses, she shoots him, taking everything with her. Before dying, however, the lawyer shoots her, ending it all.

Jeff still has one bone to pick and that’s with Marshall Harding. He wouldn’t stand up for anything and therefore Peter Sharpe died, as well as other homesteaders. Jeff challenges him, but Harding tells him it’s enough that he’s quitting and leaving town. For this, Cathy is grateful, as she has come to like Jeff.

The town is now at rest, the homesteaders are safe and things are looking up. Jeff decides he will take on the newspaper with the help of his soon-to-be wife, Cathy.

Ellen Nolan