Johnny Reno

This is a Western that isn't made with enough hate for the Beavis and Butthead viewers that dominate the critics board of the late twentieth and early twenty first centuries.

Hopefully, the later generations won't be as negative and unprovoked in hatred' Dana Andrews plays a very daring role that most actors wouldn't dare to play, someone who isn't a homicidal maniac. But there are other homicidal maniacs to make the haters happy. Of course they don't fare so well, which is what makes this a different sort of Western.

1965's "Johnny Reno" was number 7 of the 13 Paramount Westerns from house producer A.C. Lyles, returning many veteran performers from previous entries: Dana Andrews (second), Lon Chaney (7 for 7), John Agar (fourth), Lyle Bettger (second), Richard Arlen (sixth), Robert Lowery (second), Reg Parton (fifth), Rodd Redwing (second), plus first timers Jane Russell and Tom Drake. The Conners brothers are accused of killing an educated young Indian in the Kansas town of Stone Junction, where federal marshal Johnny Reno (Dana Andrews) hopes to rekindle old flame Nona Williams (the still scrumptious Jane Russell). Thinking the marshal is pursuing them, the brothers open fire on Reno, who kills Ab Conners (Dale Van Sickel) in self defense, taking the wounded Joe Conners (Tom Drake) into custody. Stone Junction's mayor, Jess Yates (Lyle Bettger), seems all too anxious for Reno to return to St. Louis and leave his prisoner with Sheriff Hodges (Lon Chaney), which only whets the marshal's curiosity about the facts behind the murder charge. The longer he sticks around, the greater his suspicions become, and with the formerly cowed sheriff regaining his pride by backing Reno, prejudice and bigotry are soon vanquished. Lyle Bettger makes for an effectively slimy villain, John Agar and Robert Lowery in compliance, while Tom Drake is believable in his desperation. Jane Russell ably provides the surprisingly strong love interest, her backstory similar to that of Johnny Reno, living down past mistakes made out of love or loyalty. His career slowly winding down, Lon Chaney once again enjoys a chance to shine as Sheriff Hodges, refusing to allow vigilantism in standing up for law and order, getting shot in his final act of selflessness. The lone actor to thus far appear in all seven Lyles Westerns, Chaney only did one more, 1967's "Buckskin" (the last of the 13 to be released).

Johnny Reno is directed by R.G. Springsteen and written by Steve Fisher and Andrew Craddock. It stars Dana Andrews, Jane Russell, Lyle Bettger, Lon Chaney Jr., John Agar and Tom Drake. A Technicolor/Techniscope production, with music by Jimmie Haskell (title tune song by Jerry Wallace) and cinematography by Harold Stine.

Andrews is Johnny Reno, a tough no nonsense U.S. Marshal who after arresting suspected Indian killer Joe Conners (Drake), takes him to the jail in Stone Junction in Kansas. But once there Johnny finds a hostile and corrupt town that want Conners lynched before trial. Why? Does this town have a secret? Is Conners really as innocent as he proclaims? Reno must stand alone against the town to find the truth.

Safe Western film making 101, Johnny Reno has just enough about it to keep it from stinker status. There's a fine cast involved, but they are either winding down their long careers or merely going through the motions. The direction is standard fare, with the action sequences constructed only adequately, and the musical score is at times more befitting a comedy serial episode.

Yet the premise, as simple as it is, plays out well for dramatic purpose. Reno is a two fisted hard bastard type of guy, and it's fun to watch him tackle the whole of Stone Junction, including, naturally, affairs of the heart by way of Russell's Nona Williams. The narrative has some observations on corruption, racism and vigilantism that are to be applauded, while the Techniscope photography around Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is most easy on the eye.

It is what it is, a Western in the late 60s trying to keep with the formula traditions of the "B" grade Oaters from the previous decade. It succeeds on that front for sure, where even though it has plenty of faults, it's a decent enough time waster for fans of the stars or those who like the said undemanding Westerns of the 50s. 6/10

Lyle Bettger is one of those stalwarts whose names probably mean nothing to most average filmgoers but who enjoy instant recognition on the screen…

Bettger was far better knows as a blond, blue-eyed villain given to exuding pathological hated... His good looks worked for him in every determined effort, even as a menacing villain with a snickering charm...

Dana Andrews plays Marshal Johnny Reno, who used to be one of the top gunfighters… He just arrived with a prisoner called Joe Conners (Tom Drake) considered by the citizens of Stone Junction as a little Indian-killer…

Of course the Mayor of the town Jess Yates (Buttger) assures the marshal that Conners will be given a fair trial and asked him to get out of the town fast…

In spite of hearing that the lynch mob will be out there and one way or another they'll get Conners, the tough marshal tells everybody that his prisoner is in his protective custody and anybody who wants to get to him is going to have to step over his dead body…

That day, the way it happened—before the Connors mess—Reno was riding to see somebody he once knew, Nona Williams (Jane Russell). He knew the woman years before when he was the righteous lawman in the town where she lived… He has been wearing a badge ever since… Nona made a mistake and he couldn't forgive her…

Lon Chaney Jr shows up as a sheriff who forgets that his job is law and order…

Filmed in Technicolor and Panavision, "Johnny Reno" remains a tedious little Western worth a matinée

"Johnny Reno" is one of the thirteen low-budget westerns produced by A.C. Lyles in the sixties. It stars Dana Andrews, Jane Russell, Lon Chaney, Richard Arlen, Lyle Bettger and Tom Drake. The premise is a simple one. Sheriff Andrews is heading to a small town in order to see his one-time sweetheart (Russell). On the way, he is set upon by two brothers who think he is after them. Forced to shoot one, he captures the other (Drake) and brings him into town. His prisoner insists he is innocent of the crime the whole town wants him hanged for, and after hearing his story, will Andrews believe him? The film is an enjoyable time waster, mostly for the appearances of the veteran stars, but the story is also fairly suspenseful. Previously available only on a full screen videocassette, "Johnny Reno" has been released on DVD in a well-preserved widescreen edition. Hopefully, the rest in the series will follow.