The Outlaw (1943)
“How would you like to tussle with Russell?”
Streamed free from the Internet Archive · no signup, no cost — this film is in the public domain.
Synopsis
Billy the Kid drifts into Lincoln, New Mexico, and falls in with gunman Doc Holliday and lawman Pat Garrett, the trio feuding over a prized horse and the fiery Rio. Howard Hughes obsessed over the production for years, and the film became infamous for its censorship battles over Jane Russell's revealing wardrobe. Beneath the scandal is a stylized, leisurely Western reframing of frontier legends.
Cast
About the Director
Howard Hughes — Aviation tycoon Howard Hughes took over direction from Howard Hawks early in production and micromanaged the film for years. His preoccupation with Jane Russell's image turned a modest Western into one of Hollywood's most publicized censorship fights.
Why It’s Free: The Public-Domain Story
Public domain by failure to renew. The original copyright on the 1943 release was never renewed at the end of its first term, so the film passed into the public domain in 1971; Hughes ultimately withdrew his infringement claim, confirming the lapse. Listed in Wikipedia's "List of films in the public domain in the United States."
Behind the Scenes
Production began in 1940 under Howard Hawks, but Hughes assumed control and tinkered endlessly. After a limited 1943 release, Hughes pulled the picture and re-released it widely in 1946 amid an orchestrated publicity and censorship storm.
Did You Know?
- The film was Jane Russell's screen debut and made her an overnight star and pin-up sensation.
- Hughes reportedly engineered a special cantilevered bra for Russell, though she said she never actually wore it.
- The Production Code Administration withheld its seal for years over the film's emphasis on Russell's figure.
Reception & Legacy
Critics dismissed the film as slow and overheated, but the manufactured scandal made it a box-office curiosity. Today it is remembered chiefly as a landmark in the battle against the Hays Code and as Russell's star-making vehicle.
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