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Law And Order (1953)
Released By: Universal Studios Home Video   Rating: Not Rated   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Universal Studios Home Video
Genre: Western
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Nathan Juran
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Alex Nicol, Dorothy Malone, Preston Foster, Ronald Reagan, Ruth Hampton, Russell Hampton
Published ID: 188925
UPC: 025192273322,
Plot: The first film version of W.R. Burnett's novel Saint Johnson was filmed as Law and Order in 1932. Essentially an all-names-changed retelling of the Wyatt Earp legend, the film scored on its humanity and restraint. The 1953 remake eschewed the shadings and subtleties of the original in favor of a traditional shoot-em-up, replete with gratuitous violence. Ronald Reagan stars as the Earp counterpart this time, who has sworn to bring criminal Preston S. Foster to justice. The original Law and Order had no love interest at all; the Reagan version pairs up the star with beautiful Dorothy Malone, and offers a second leading lady in the form of Ruth Hampton. The original had a hanging sequence which was treated as business as usual; the remake turns this sequence into a brutal lynching. Common to both films was the final showdown between Reagan and Foster, given added melodrama in the later version by the fact that Reagan had previously sworn to give up his guns for the love of his lady. Like most of Ronald Reagan's 1950s vehicles, Law and Order paid its way and was then forgotten. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
- Sob - -
Added 3/28/2007

I like the reviews I've read, and I adore Ronald Reagan. Would love to have this DVD, but will not buy it because it offers no subtitles. My DVD player can't handle "close captioned".

Susan

2 out of 8 people found this helpful.
An enjoyable vehicle for Western buffs...
Added 11/8/2006

'Law and Order' is hardly a rich strike, and might be considered as a solid, conventional Western of 'retired gunfighter' breed...

Frame Johnson (Reagan) is a respected lawman who has cleaned up the wicked ways of Tombstone, Arizona, and wants to retire to the life of a rancher... This pleases his fiancée, Jeannie (Dorothy Malone), who runs the saloon left to her by her father... She, too, is eager to leave the rough community and be her beau's wife: 'You're big and you're ugly and you're stupid, and I happen to be in love with you.'

With his brothers, Lute (Alex Nicol) and Jimmy (Russell Johnson), and their undertaker friend, Denver (Chubby Johnson), Frame proceeds to the town of Cottonwood... Unfortunately, Cottonwood is under the domination of Kurt Durning (Preston Foster), who hates Frame because he crippled him in a previous encounter...

The citizens of Cottonwood appeal to the famous marshal to take up the badge of law and order once again, and rid them of Durning... Frame declines, but Lute accepts, which soon costs him his life when he tries to apprehend one of Durning's sons...

Frame takes the job as marshal and brings the Durning empire to an end...


8 out of 8 people found this helpful.
Solid, Entertaining 50's Western
Added 7/9/2004

Law and Order is a solid, entertaining western that showcases Ronald Reagan as a leading man. Reagan gives an almost John Wayne-esque performance (you could almost call him John Wayne Light in this one). Reagan is tough, but very likeable in the role and shows the charisma that would help him in his political life just a decade later.

The story itself is something of a re-working of the Earps VS the Clantons, and it even starts in Tombstone. Reagan is Frame Johnson, tough, no-nonsense Marshall of Tombstone. He decides to retire to a nearby town to start a ranch and marry his girl, but he finds the town run by another rancher and soon Frame and his brothers are in conflict with that rancher and his family. There is plenty of good western action, and a solid story in Law and Order.

Law and Order is well worth buying for Western fans or fans of Ronald Reagan.

17 out of 17 people found this helpful.
Standard Duster - But Quite Enjoyable
Added 12/20/2001

Ronald Reagan stars as a lawman in the old West - bringing outlaws to justice. An amusing aside: as one of the policies he adopts to ensure law and order, the Sheriff actually imposes GUN CONTROL - no guns are allowed in town - and Reagan goes about impounding weapons from violators. A standard "Duster" from the 50's this is nonetheless an enjoyable Western.
12 out of 16 people found this helpful.
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