Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

classicsoncall Fans of the historical Billy the Kid who want to believe he didn't die at the hands of Sheriff Pat Garret might find this movie interesting but for anyone else it's a bit of a chore to sit through. The acting, especially that of Anthony Dexter in the role of Billy, is invariably stilted and wooden, and calls to mind what early talking movies were like when characters were just learning to speak naturally on screen. Part of this might have been the fault of the director, because even the usually reliable Marie Windsor is given to over the top excess as the colorful Mexican senorita Tonya. Her 'bite of the apple' scene is almost laughably ridiculous, an embarrassing moment diffused only by her gorgeous gams providing an immediate distraction.The story attempts to convince the viewer that Billy the Kid, with the help of his friend Pat Garrett, faked his own death in order to hang up his guns and lead a peaceful life. As fate takes it's course however, Billy is eventually forced to take up his firearms once again to defend the town of Four Corners against evil town boss Morgan (Robert Lowery) from intimidating it's citizens against voting his criminal bunch out of power.The story introduces the name of another Western historical character by the name of Jack Slade (Sonny Tufts), who makes it his mission to eliminate anyone in his vicinity who might claim the title of fastest gun in the territory. Disappointed to hear that Billy the Kid is dead, he makes short work of fellow outlaw Ace Jardine, portrayed here by B Western movie veteran Bob Steele. I've seen Steele in any number of old time Westerns but was a bit shocked to see how small he actually was in relation to his counterparts on screen like Tufts and Dexter. As a leading man in some of his own pictures he obviously was made to stand out.Adding some discomfort to the already tortured screenplay are a number of overt religious references made by pastor Jericho Jones (Buddy Rogers); funny but he was never called 'parson' as the title of the picture implies. In another over the top moment, outlaw Slade's gunning of the Reverend Jones ends with his outstretched arms draped over a hitching post in the manner of the crucifixion. It was the Reverend's entreaties to Billy that prepared him to take up his guns once more, with the final shoot out heralding the real Billy the Kid.

Neil Doyle There's nothing deadlier than a western that fails to come alive.Maybe it's the pedestrian script, the sluggish direction, the actors who all look bored with their roles--but THE PARSON AND THE OUTLAW never comes alive despite some rough and tumble moments and some shootouts between Billy the Kid (ANTHONY DEXTER) and the henchmen of badman ROBERT LOWERY involved in some kind of land dispute.MARIE WINDSOR drifts in and out of the story with a thick Mexican accent that never seems less than phony and is playing hard at being a hot-tempered gal who sets her sights on Dexter the moment she sees him. SONNY TUFTS has a thankless role as a gunslinger who wishes he could have met up with Billy the Kid (whom he thinks is dead) so he could put some slugs into him. Tufts has never looked more bored with a role, even when he's doing his quick on the trigger act.Between the slow pace and the uninspired direction, along with a banal script, THE PARSON AND THE OUTLAW never has a chance. The outdoor scenes are photographed skillfully and look good in color, but there are some obvious stock shots used that are blurry and poorly photographed.The supporting cast includes CHARLES "BUDDY" ROGERS and JEAN PARKER, both of whom are saddled with bland roles as a parson and his wife which they play without a hint of enthusiasm.

John Seal Anthony Dexter plays a back-from-the-grave Billy the Kid in this odd western about a greedy landowner (slick Robert Lowery) and his right hand man (Sunny Tufts, bravely trying to disguise his New England accent) trying to maintain control over their fiefdom by denying the locals the chance to be annexed by Texas. Billy has had good buddy Pat Garrett pretend to kill him, and has hung up his guns to retire to his old homestead, which--you guessed it--is stuck plum in the middle of this land war. The meek local folks are represented by crusading newspaperman Matt McCloud (Ed Wood regular Kenne Duncan), his beautiful daughter (Madalyn Trahey, who clearly belongs in the 'where are they now?' category), and preacherman Jericho Jones (the appropriately cast Buddy Rogers, who also produced the film). When McCloud is murdered, the townsfolk need a hero to save them...and guess who's available. The Parson and the Outlaw was shot in rich colors which look great, especially when contrasted with the stock footage of wild animals, wagon trains, and fires shoehorned into the feature, and the film also features a very strange soundtrack by Joe Sodja, a Cleveland born banjo player whose score seems to be played on either a zither or a slack key guitar. It's odd to say the least.

adverts ***Spoilers***I watched this with another late 50s low budget western, "Gunmen from Laredo". Compared to that film, "Parson" is a classic!Overall the acting is not so good, neither is the direction, it's historically incorrect, etc....but.....There is some excellent dialogue delivered by Anthony Dexter (in a somewhat odd cowboy outfit - why are his jeans pulled up so high!!) in one scene - ending with him saying the word "damn" - somehow it got past the censors. Also, there is some in-your-face Christ on the cross symbolism when the preacher gets killed. I was surprised a low budget film like this even attempted it. And finally, Marie Windsor as a Mexican(!) changing loyalties faster than a Mexican jumping bean jumps.If you absolutely love Westerns or you're a film buff, you might get at least something out of this flick.