Lady from Louisiana ** (1941, John Wayne, Ona Munson, Ray Middleton) – Classic Movie Review 10,946

Producer-director Bernard Vorhaus’s 1941 Republic Pictures black and white Western film Lady from Louisiana stars John Wayne as zealous reformist lawyer John Reynolds, who falls for lovely Louisiana lady Julie Mirbeau (Ona Munson), who takes over the town lottery when her father is murdered on the orders of his lieutenant (Ray Middleton), in a romantic tale of rival gamblers in the old West.

Wayne’s authority brings a lift to this acceptable but routine Western, with a few idiosyncratic touches that give it credence, and direction by Vorhaus that adds a touch of style to a mediocre venture. It is fast paced and atmospheric, but low on charm and credibility.

After hitting the big time with Stagecoach in 1939, Wayne was angered and frustrated to find himself back in such double feature action films.

Story: Edward James, Francis Faragoh. Screenplay: Vera Caspary, Michael Hogan and Guy Endore.

Republic Pictures really got their money’s worth out of their contract star and In 1953 even reissued this film in cinemas in a double bill with another Wayne Western, A Man Betrayed (1941).

Also in the cast are Henry Stephenson, Dorothy Dandridge, Helen Westley, Jack Pennick, Maurice Costello, Paul Scardon, Shimen Ruskin, Jacqueline Dalya, James H MacNamara and James C Morto.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,946

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