Al Jennings of Oklahoma

Although based on his own book, the real Jennings' face must have been a picture when he learned who was going to play him. But Duryea is plainly relishing the chance for once to be playing a two-fisted hunk who gets the girl.

The subject of much folk lore and legend in the beginnings of Oklahoma statehood. Al Jennings brings shame and disappointment to his family by becoming an angry bank robber. After serving his sentence, he tries to walk the straight and narrow; and by studying the law, gains respect and becomes a footnote in the history of Oklahoma.

Sporadic action and distorted story inspired by truth. Cast includes: Dan Duryea, Dick Foran, James Millican, Gale Storm and Raymond Greenleaf.

I first became interested in this film after seeing a photo of the real Al Jennings in a magazine in the late 60s. The story is taken from one of Jennings books ,'Beating Back', published in 1914, and available to read online. As this is promoted as a true story, I wonder why changes were made to the way events happened; did it make for better viewing, and were the name changes done for legal reasons? Al Jennings was still alive when the film was released; he passed away in 1961, just months after the death of his wife. Firstly, Al's brother was killed by Temple Houston, not the John Marsden of the film: Al was not present at the time, but was sleeping, and alerted to the tragedy. He joined criminals while waiting for the time to exact his revenge on Houston. Secondly, his wife was named Maude E. Deayton, not Margot St.Claire. A fine performance from Dan Duryea, and a rare chance to see him in a leading role. Accurate or not, I give this 10 out of 10 for entertainment value. If you have enjoyed the exploits of Frank and Jesse James, and how two law abiding farmers were turned into bandits by the actions of the railway, then you will enjoy this film.

Lawyer Al Jennings discovers he likes robbing better than lawyering, but then tries to straighten out. Yet the past has a way of catching up, especially if there's a relapse back into robbing.

Badly flawed western, with a spotty screenplay, uninspired direction, and indifferent acting. Pairing ace villain Duryea with malt-shop Storm is like pairing Dillinger with Shirley Temple. Unfortunately, Duryea pretty much walks through his role as Al Jennings. Too bad, because given a good script and quality direction, few could deliver more memorable performances than slick-haired Duryea. Yet it looks like his career was on a downturn here since he went into TV (China Smith) the following year (IMDB).

I just wish director Nazarro could have heightened the drama with a few close-ups. Instead, his camera remains at an impersonal distance, which doesn't help. Then too, there's sloppy attention to detail. Note how after the wild buckboard chase, Storm looks like she just stepped out of a fashionable beauty salon. Even her over-sized hat is un-windblown. Sure, this is minor, but it all adds up, including sloppy staging as when the posse tries to catch the gang at the Diamond B ranch.

In my little book, the oater's a bland waste of talent, whose best feature may be the Technicolor photography, even if action never leaves LA environs. Too bad all around, especially for fans of the great Dan Duryea.

For 1951, not a bad little Western, with some bright colour photography, but after it was over I thought there was little substance to it. A quick Google confirms that Jennings wasn't much success as a crook and that the film took lots of liberties with his story, though I couldn't determine whether the reward for his capture every topped $20,000, as shown in the film. What made his life interesting was his political career after release from prison, but I guess that wouldn't have added much to an "action" Western.

Having fled Oklahoma because he fears being betrayed by his fellow gang members, Jennings returns to them, which didn't seem too bright. And the botched final raid on the train and its meagre rewards seem to sum up his career as a bad man. But the posse wasn't too bright, either, with its 20 or so members failing to capture the depleted Jennings gang at the ranch, though at least this led to a chase and final showdown.

It was good to see a youngish John Dehner, and Guinn Williams in a role where his character wasn't too empty-headed.