The Outcast ** (1954, John Derek, Joan Evans, Jim Davis) – Classic Movie Review 13,918

Republic Pictures’ 1954 American Western film The Outcast, starring John Derek, Joan Evans and Jim Davis, has the benefit of a higher budget for the Trucolor and Colorado location filming.

Director William Witney’s 1954 Republic Pictures Trucolor American Western The Outcast is written by John K Butler and Richard Wormser, based on a story by Todhunter Ballard, and stars John Derek, Joan Evans and Jim Davis. It enjoys a higher budget than usual to accommodate the Trucolor and location filming in Colorado and New Mexico.

Jet Cosgrave (John Derek) returns to Colorado and challenges his wicked, will-forging uncle Major Linton Cosgrave (Jim Davis) over the inheritance of his father’s ranch, the Circle C Ranch, in this solid, straightforward, fast-moving Western.

What do you do when your uncle forges your father’s will and you are cheated out of your rightful heritage? Jet straps on his guns and fires into action, with a little help from his friends. He hires nine gunmen, headed by Dude Rankin (Bob Steele), to try to win back his father’s ranch, meanwhile falling for Judy Polsen (Joan Evans) and flirting with his uncle’s fiancée Alice Austin (Catherine McLeod).

The good support cast of Western worthies help to compensate for Derek’s shaky, over-played tough-guy acting and the clichés in the script.

Plus, there is lively, efficient direction from prolific cowboy director Witney and plenty of action, as well as Trucolor colour cinematography from Reginald Lanning and the Colorado and New Mexico locations.

Cast: John Derek as Jet Cosgrave, Joan Evans as Judy Polsen, Jim Davis as Major Linton Cosgrave, Catherine McLeod as Alice Austin. Ben Cooper as The Kid, Taylor Holmes as Andrew Devlin, Nana Bryant as Mrs. Banner, Slim Pickens as Boone Polsen, Frank Ferguson as Chad Polsen, James Millican as Cal Prince, Bob Steele as Dude Rankin, Harry Carey Jr as Bert, Nacho Galindo as Curly, Robert ‘Buzz’ Henry as Zeke Polsen, Nicolas Coster as Asa Polsen, Bill Walker as blacksmith Sam Allen.

The Outcast is directed by William Witney, runs 90 minutes, is made and released by Republic Pictures, is written by John K Butler and Richard Wormser, is shot in Trucolor by Reginald Lanning [Reggie Lanning], is produced by William J O’Sullivan, and is scored by R Dale Butts.

Release date: August 15, 1954.

Slim Pickens also appears in Witney’s next film, the 1955 Western Santa Fe Passage.

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