The Badlanders (1958)

Set in 1898 Arizona territory, a man (Alan Ladd) just released from prison for a crime he didn't commit plots to swindle the mine owner (Kent Smith) who had him sent to prison by selling him gold ore from his own mine! Loosely based on the novel THE ASPHALT JUNGLE by W.R. Burnett and directed by Delmer Daves. John Huston had directed a film based on Burnett's novel in 1950. This version sets it in the American west instead of using the urban landscape of the big city. Daves is responsible for some of the best westerns of the 1950s (3:10 TO YUMA, JUBAL, WHITE FEATHER, LAST WAGON) but alas, THE BADLANDERS isn't among them. Ladd doesn't seem the brightest of con men. The moment we see Kent Smith, we know not to trust him but of course, Ladd walks right into the lion's lair. The nihilistic ending of Huston's 1950 film is abandoned in favor of a happier outcome for its characters (well, maybe not Nehemiah Persoff). Ladd is as enervated as ever but Ernest Borgnine as his partner is quite good. With Katy Jurado, the purring Claire Kelly (Ray's PARTY GIRL) and Robert Emhardt.