The Desperadoes (1943)
A classic Technicolor Western pitting a charming outlaw against small-town corruption, starring Randolph Scott and a young Glenn Ford.
The Desperadoes - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Desperadoes
- Release Year: 1943
- Directed by: Charles Vidor
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Western
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 27m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 25, 1943 (United States - NR), February 16, 1951 (Germany - 12)
- Alternative Titles: Desperados - Aufruhr der Gesetzlosen (DE)
- Production Companies: Columbia Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Desperadoes - Plot
Popular mailcoach driver Uncle Willie is in fact in league with the town's crooked banker. They plan to have the bank robbed after emptying it, and when Willie's choice for this doesn't show in time, he gets some local boys to do it. When his man does turn up he decides to stick around, as he is pals with the sheriff and also takes a shine to Willie's daughter Allison. This gives the bad men several new problems.
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The Desperadoes - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Charles Vidor
Main Cast
- Randolph Scott
- Claire Trevor
- Glenn Ford
- Evelyn Keyes
- Edgar Buchanan
- Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams
- Raymond Walburn
- Porter Hall
- Bernard Nedell
- Joan Woodbury
Writers
- Max Brand
- Robert Carson
Producers
- Harry Joe Brown
The Desperadoes - FAQs
What is The Desperadoes about?
The Desperadoes follows a scheming mailcoach driver and a corrupt banker who plot to rob their own bank. Things unravel when an outlaw with ties to the local sheriff rides into town and falls for the driver's daughter, throwing a wrench into every crooked plan they've made.
Is The Desperadoes worth watching for Western fans?
Absolutely. The Desperadoes holds a special place in Western history as Columbia Pictures' first Technicolor feature. With Randolph Scott and a young Glenn Ford sharing the screen, it delivers solid frontier entertainment — charming performances, colorful scenery, and enough intrigue to keep you hooked from start to finish.
Where can you stream The Desperadoes?
You can watch The Desperadoes on fuboTV as part of a subscription, or catch it free with ads on The Roku Channel and YouTube Free. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Was The Desperadoes Glenn Ford's breakthrough role?
The Desperadoes came early in Glenn Ford's career and helped raise his profile considerably. Playing the charming outlaw Cheyenne Rogers opposite Randolph Scott gave Ford a chance to shine in a major studio production, and the film is often cited as one of the key stepping stones toward his later stardom.
Who are the main actors in The Desperadoes?
The film features Randolph Scott as Sheriff Steve Upton, Glenn Ford as the roguish outlaw Cheyenne Rogers, and Claire Trevor as the mysterious Countess Maletta. Evelyn Keyes and Edgar Buchanan round out the central cast, with strong supporting turns from Porter Hall and Raymond Walburn.
Is The Desperadoes based on a true story?
No, The Desperadoes is a fictional story. The screenplay was written by Robert Carson, based on an original story by Max Brand — one of the most prolific Western fiction writers of the 20th century. While the frontier setting feels authentic, the characters and plot are entirely invented.
What makes The Desperadoes historically significant?
The Desperadoes earned its place in film history as Columbia Pictures' first Technicolor production. Released in 1943, the vibrant color photography by George Meehan gave the Western landscape a richness rarely seen in the studio's output at the time, marking a turning point in Columbia's visual ambitions.
What are some movies similar to The Desperadoes?
If you enjoyed The Desperadoes, you might also like Shane (1953), Dodge City (1939), Silverado (1985), or Decision at Sundown (1957). Fans of Randolph Scott in particular will find plenty to love in Run for Cover (1955) and The Westerner (1940), both sharing that classic frontier spirit.
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