The Outlaw, 1943.
Directed by Howard Hughes.
Starring Jane Russell, Jack Buetel and Thomas Mitchell.
Silver screen siren Jane Russell makes her debut in the controversial romantic western The Outlaw from legendary American industrialist and film producer Howard Hughes, who took over directing duties after an uncredited Howard Hawks left the project in favour of 1941 war biopic Sergeant York. The film centres on a fued between famed Old West gunslingers Doc Holliday (Walter Huston) and Billy the Kid (Jack Buetel) after the young outlaw seduces Holliday's girlfriend Rio (Russell), and also features Thomas Mitchell as newly appointed Lincoln, NM sheriff Pat Garrett.
Production originally wrapped in 1941, but Hughes - who had embarked on a nationwide search to find an actress with suitable 'talents' for the part of Rio - ran into major difficulties with the Motion Picture Production Code due to the film's highly sexualised content and emphasis on Russell's cleavage. After making a number of cuts the film was finally approved but Hughes decided to shelve the movie when local state censors demanded further revisions. The controversy surrounding The Outlaw (along with a provocative advertising campaign) resulted in the film becoming a box-office hit when it eventually received a general release in 1946.
Embed courtesy of Internet Archive.
Related:
His Girl Friday (1940)
Lady of Burlesque (1943)
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