THE OUTLAW. RKO Radio Pictures, 1943. Jack Buetel, Jane Russell, Thomas Mitchell, Walter Huston. Directors: Howard Hughes, Howard Hawks (uncredited).

   A fanciful retelling of the legend of Billy the Kid, along with Pat Garrett, Doc Holliday, and a girl named Rio, I don’t know the entire story behind the making of the movie, nor the hype, but for 1943 (original release), it must have been a sizzler.

   Huston’s grizzled performance as Doc is superb, and while seemingly miscast, the shabby Tom Mitchell (as Garrett) has his moments as well. Beutel’s career went nowhere, but as Billy he is convincingly cunning, As for Jane Russell, I watched her every move.