Directed and written by James Edward Grant, Angel and the Badman is a landmark Western that pairs rugged outlaw charm with Quaker gentleness. Released by Republic Pictures, it stars John Wayne as a wounded gunslinger and Gail Russell as the woman whose compassion begins to tame his violent ways. Notably, it was John Wayne’s first film as a producer, launching his production company and signaling a shift in his career toward more personal storytelling.
Plot Summary
Gunfighter Quirt Evans (John Wayne) collapses near the homestead of Thomas Worth and his daughter Penelope “Penny” Worth (Gail Russell), devout Quakers who nurse him back to health. As Quirt recovers, he’s drawn to Penny’s peaceful way of life, even as his past catches up with him. Rival outlaw Laredo Stevens (Bruce Cabot) and a suspicious sheriff threaten to drag Quirt back into violence. But Penny’s unwavering belief in nonviolence and redemption forces Quirt to confront who he truly wants to be.
Cast Highlights
- John Wayne as Quirt Evans
- Gail Russell as Penelope Worth
- Harry Carey as Marshal Wistful McClintock
- Bruce Cabot as Laredo Stevens
- Irene Rich, Lee Dixon, and Stephen Grant in supporting roles
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- Contrary to popular belief, no clips from this film were used in the flashback scenes of Wayne’s final movie, The Shootist (1976)
- The passage Penny reads from Quirt’s Bible is from either 2 Samuel 23:20–21 or 1 Chronicles 11:22–23, referencing the warrior Benaiah
- A “quirt” is a short whip used by cowboys—fittingly symbolic of Quirt Evans’ rough past
- The film fell into the public domain due to a failure to renew its copyright, leading to many poor-quality versions circulating on VHS and DVD
- A radio adaptation aired on The Hedda Hopper Show – This Is Hollywood in April 1947, with Wayne reprising his role
Themes and Legacy
- Redemption and Nonviolence: A rare Western that centers on moral transformation rather than shootouts
- Romantic Idealism: Penny’s quiet strength and unwavering faith offer a counterpoint to frontier brutality
- Genre Innovation: Blends action with introspection, paving the way for more character-driven Westerns
- Public Domain Status: Widely available and often featured in classic film collections
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