THE OUTLAW

 "THE OUTLAW"  (1943)

MY THOUGHTS: This film was 19-year-old Jane Russell's first. She was cast by Howard Hughes as the smoldering object of desire in his new western, having been hand-picked by him, from a pile of photographs. Although the 1941 RKO production, is primarily remembered as being notorious for bringing sex to the western, it's still a largely underrated film. When watched with an honest eye, this is really one of the most offbeat, absorbing westerns of its time. After the film was completed, Hughes faced difficulty obtaining approval from the Hollywood Production Code Administration because of the film's display of Russell's breasts. During that time, Russell was kept busy doing publicity and became known nationally. Contrary to countless incorrect reports in the media since the release of The Outlaw, Russell did not wear the specially designed underwire bra that Howard Hughes had designed and made for her to wear during filming. The film did not receive a warm reception by the critics. However, it did extremely well at the box office. It set house records, across the country, in the majority of movie houses it played in.

SYNOPSIS: "The life of legendary outlaw Billy the Kid, including his partnership with Doc Holliday and his clashes with lawman Pat Garrett. The film was notorious in its day because of producer/director Howard Hughes concentration on newcomer Jane Russell's cleavage, and national release in America was delayed by some years."

STARRING: Jane Russell, Jack Buetel, Walter Huston, Thomas Mitchell, Mimi Aguglia and Joe Sawyer.

SCREENPLAY: Jules Furthman

DIRECTOR: Howard Hughes