The Outcast

An early performance by Derek is the main attraction here, in this action packed tale of a young man, returning home to reclaim his ranch from a dastardly cattle baron. A good supporting cast, and a director that doesn't let the romance scenes get in the way, make this good fare.

Colton, Colorado - the 1880s. Jet Cosgrave and a gang of hired gunmen ride into town, intent on taxing back Jet's inheritance, the wealthy Circle C Ranch. But the owner - his uncle - is not going to give it up without a fight....

Filmed mainly on location in Colorado, this fast-moving western is based on an Esquire magazine story by Todhunter Ballard, and directed efficiently by B-western legend William Witney, and fuses good characterisation with a plethora of action sequences- stampedes, gunfights and fisticuffs.

This is a solid western starring John Derek, who does a fine job here as a young man who wants to get back what was taken from him.

Tremendously good B western which today would be an A western. Strong acting, tremendous direction and the kind of realism in fights you never see. I think the smack on the head by the horse was intentional and left in as Jet's way of showing Dude who was boss without using his gun. It may have been accidental but if so was left in because it worked.

Real scenery and some really cool off the backdrop shots which really worked in color.

My only problem? Where in the 1880's West does a guy come up with a name like "Jet?" I thought it was Jeb, or Jed until I saw the credits.

Recommend to any western lover and others too. Loved Bob Steele as a bad guy. He never worked for me as a good guy. I think it's certainly one of Derek's best and seeing a Young Slim Pickens on a horse at a gallop. Now that is cool.

In this tight little western which has a complex part John Derek is out to get his rightful inheritance of the ranch he feels should have been his. Instead the will lawyer Taylor Holmes drew up left the property to Derek's uncle Jim Davis. Davis is expecting Catherine McLeod a new bride and the stagecoach that brings her also brings Derek.

Derek unfortunately hired a bunch of gunmen led by Bob Steele. His hands aren't clean because of that.

Republic Pictures assembled a real good cast of familiar players to support Derek and Davis. Derek wages war on all fronts making a play for McLeod at the same time he's courting Joan Evans who is a neighboring rancher's daughter. Not exactly a move for a cowboy hero.

In its last years Republic was going in for western stories with an adult theme. The Outcast is not a film you would see Gene or Roy in. But it's a good one.

William Witney the director will be remembered as the greatest Republic Pictures serials maker. In his movies, for most of them, only the action scenes will be the best. See for instance STRANGER AT MY DOOR, an intimistic western, remember the horse sequence, with Skip Homeier? The story, very cute and unusual indeed, was rather flat but suddenly, you had a terrific action sequence, even better than any big classic Hollywood production. Even in his B westerns or thrillers - HEADLINE HUNTERS - there was a fist fight scene absolutely outstanding, for a forgettable B thriller. For this prectable western, THE OUTCAST - there is a.stampede sequence, involving wagons, and a wagon doing a stunt never seen before, some kind of a forward somersault, perious leap, a wagon laced at top speed !!!! Just in the middle of a flat western; because this story, sorry, but is flat, with a Jim Davis in a predictable villain character.