Outlaw's Son

Juvenile delinquency was a hot topic in the 50's. Here it gets a western treatment. Outlaw Dane Clark abandoned his son, Ben Cooper, at an early age, leaving Cooper to be raised by his aunt (Drew) following the abandoned mother's death. Now Clark has come back to see his 12-year old son and teach him how to use a gun and be a tough guy. Trouble is Drew and Clark clash over whose values will raise the boy. Overly concerned with Clark's fatherly influence, Drew uses an opportunity to frame Clark for a murder, sending him running back into the life of an outlaw. Ten years pass, and Cooper struggles with desire to honor his missing dad by being a tough guy as he holds down a conventional job while living with his aunt. So, when Clark again returns, the question is which side of Cooper will win out.

It's a complex psychological premise that doesn't always convince, but then I guess Cooper's inner struggle is supposed to explain. To me, it's Drew's character and her moral dilemma that distinguishes the film from other westerns of its time. There's some hard riding and poorly staged shootouts, at the same time the acting is better than usual for a western, particularly from veteran actress Drew. But what the heck happened to blonde cutie Lori Nelson-- she's high up in the cast list but has only one short scene, then disappears, her love-interest spot taken over by brunette Cecile Rogers. I expect there's a backstory there. Anyway, it's an interesting, if overlong, 50's flick, heavy on story and short on scenery.