Law and Order

Nathan Juran proves once more how eclectic he was, how comfortable he was as well in western as in science fiction or crime drama, no matter the story. OK this one was written several decades earlier by the great William R Burnett, but I think the Edward L Cahn version, back in 1932 - I guess the first version - was far better than this one. That's my opinion; but another period, another way of story telling too. And Ronnie Reagan is not bad here, whatever you like him or not. Anyway, an Universal western is never contemptible. Never waste an Universal western; at least from the fifties and sixties. Forties? Maybe....

Universal western a solid adaptation of William Burnett's novel "Saint Johnson"--also a follow-up to (or rehashing of) 1932's "Law and Order". Ronald Reagan is very good as the marshal of Tombstone in the 1880s, tired of being a "hired killer", who quits his job for a rancher's life on the outskirts of Cottonwood; unfortunately, he finds the townsfolk there much tougher than the people of Tombstone, including a scurrilous family who has tangled with the marshal before. It's never made clear how the marshal managed to get on the bad side of the Tombstone residents (they seem to want a no-nonsense approach to the law--and they've got it with Reagan--so what is their beef?). Dorothy Malone is wasted in a frivolous role as Ronnie's girl (she always seems to be saying, "I'll be here when you come back"), while the (blonde) actors playing Reagan's brothers are poor choices--they don't look or act anything like him. Still, there's a few evil, grinning sonsofbitches in the lineup who give the narrative dramatic flavor, and Reagan has a terrific scene early on protecting a prisoner from a lynch mob. Most of "Law and Order" (terrible title!) is strictly rote from a western formula, but the Red Rock Canyon locations are good and the finale very satisfying. **1/2 from ****

I had never heard of Director Nathan Juran until I saw LAW AND ORDER, and I doubt I'll remember him for any significant amount of time. He doesn't do a bad job of this B pic... simply not good enough: photography is weak, script predictable and tame, and what really saves it is the presence of the late former President Ronald Reagan and incredibly beautiful Dorothy Malone. In the end, this is another retelling of the Wyatt Earp and bros story, with different names and against differently named foes. Some good fighting sequences involving RR, too.

Ronald Reagan quits his job as sheriff of Tombstone (No, he's not Wyatt Earp.) and heads for greener pastures in an attempt to start a new calmer life for himself and his brothers, only to find out that his new home is run with an iron hand, both figuratively and literally, by old foe Preston Foster and his sniveling sons. A solid studio B-western, this looks like a million bucks in gorgeous Technicolor and has a script that really knows what buttons to push. One of Reagan's better roles, he strikes all the right notes and is definitely well cast. This is also a great showcase for up and coming future stars Russell Johnson (the professor on Gilligan's Island) and an almost unrecognizable Dennis Weaver, who really makes the best out of his role as one of Foster's sadistic sons. The final fist-fight between Reagan and Foster is well staged, exciting, and immensely satisfying.

Merely serviceable B western with no special moments or performances. Reagan plays a hired gun trying to settle down to a life as a rancher who must take up the marshall's badge to clean up his new town after one of his brothers is killed. Malone is the woman he falls for. Strictly an attempt to replicate Randolph Scott's success in similar vehicles, but with so-so results.

I've already watched Ronald Regan in others movies, despite on secondary role, Law and Order is B western, he was the top billing casting, thus l pay attention he as actor, not bad at all, average performance playing a tough Marshall Frame Johnson who enforces the law, tired he moves to another town where he bought a farmer in hope to lives a easy life with his two brothers and waiting his bride (Malone), unfortunately the town is nest of snakes, ruled by an old acquaintance Kurt Durling (Preton Foster) and his evil sons, invited by the Judge to be the new Marshall Frame refuses, however his brother Lute Johnson accepted, what's coming next is too predictable and so many clichés and worst Johnson knew that his brother alone will be a easy prey to Kurt's gang, apart the beauty Dorothy Malone at glorious days, worth to see the gorgeous and sexy Maria (Ruth Hamptom) in one most dared sexy scene that I ever seen, when she strip down her shirt showing a white and transparent bra supporting those bulky couple breast, also having in the funny character the undertake Denver Cahoom ( Chubby Johnson) taking some relief to the plot, enjoyable and funny!! Resume: First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 6.5

Ronald Reagan plays Frame Johnson, a lawman who's worked long and hard to keep Tombstone law-abiding and decent. However, the citizens don't particularly appreciate the job he's done and Frame is tired. So, he decides to quit, buy a ranch and live a quiet life in a new town, Cottonwood. Unfortunately, he chose to live near a town controlled by an evil man, Kurt Durling (Preston Foster)...and what Durling says, goes. As a result, the town, while it has a sheriff, is lawless and the gutless sheriff does nothing. Some of the locals ask Frame to become their new marshal...but he repeatedly declines. After all, he wants to retire and live a quiet life...and he's earned it. But when his brother is made the new marshal, he's in over his head and Durling is determined to make him fail. Will this be enough to get Frame to reconsider his plans? The whole boss who runs and ruins a town aspect of the film is one of the most familiar plots to westerns. Adding the tired sheriff retiring...well, that does breathe some life into an overused plot. So is it worth seeing? Yes. While it's certainly not a brilliant or wholly original film, it ends very well (with an amazing fight scene you won't soon forget). It's a solid and entertaining movie and Reagan seems in his element here. It's also interesting to see Russell Johnson ("Gilligan's Island") playing a tough guy. Also, it's interesting to see Dennis Weaver in this one. While he played a good guy on "Gunsmoke" and "McCloud", here he's pure scum....and he does a good job of it.

Fun movie, with some good action (entertaining fight later in the movie) and some great lines. The most memorable part for me though has to be the fastest romance in the west. Guy meets girl says hello, 5 mins later lets elope!!! Hilarious. All the performances are great!

A town that couldn't be tamed until Ronald Reagan institutes strict gun control. "But what if there's gun play?" someone asks. "Then it's a matter of law and order," replies our hero. "A town with no guns? Why, we'll be laughed out of the West," observes a grizzled bystander. Ironically, this oater documents what actually did happen in the Old West: the very first laws passed in the cities were gun control laws - because they worked. A fact the elder Mr. Reagan and his posse later chose to forget. There's little else of interest in this routine Western. Except you get to see the Professor - of Gilligan's Island - shoot down Chester - of Gunsmoke.

I like Ronnie Reagan, but this is not one of his better films. Dorothy Malone is a lightweight actress, but I don't think any female lead would have made much difference to the outcome. Preston Foster is the only authentic A actor in the film, although I did enjoy seeing the professor from Gilligan's Island as the judge. The plot is mundane and full of cliches, but the actors try to do the best with the hands they are dealt. The fascination of watching an American president acting in a film is always an extra added attraction. The end result is an amazingly average Western; watchable, but not notable. The doctor in the town is Holliday; sound familiar? Spare us.