ANGEL AND THE BADMAN is a film that many John wayne fans may not have seen; nonetheless it's one of his best that shows a very different side.
Wayne as Quirt Evans is wounded and taken in by a gentle Quaker family. After he recuperates he notices their daughter--the absolutely drop dead gorgeous Gail Russell.
The plot of AATBM is remarkably similar to Harrison Ford's WITNESS (probably a remake).
But what ultimately makes this movie work is Wayne's performance, and Russell's natural "Angelic" qualities. The camera really loves her. There's one scene where she confesses' her love for Wayne, and is surprised he doesn't feel quite the same: "I never thought it could happen to one and not another." Her outright innocence in this scene is incredibly touching, and endearing, and you see how this affects Wayne in the same way.
Wayne as Quirt Evans is wounded and taken in by a gentle Quaker family. After he recuperates he notices their daughter--the absolutely drop dead gorgeous Gail Russell.
The plot of AATBM is remarkably similar to Harrison Ford's WITNESS (probably a remake).
But what ultimately makes this movie work is Wayne's performance, and Russell's natural "Angelic" qualities. The camera really loves her. There's one scene where she confesses' her love for Wayne, and is surprised he doesn't feel quite the same: "I never thought it could happen to one and not another." Her outright innocence in this scene is incredibly touching, and endearing, and you see how this affects Wayne in the same way.