THE OUTRIDERS, a 1950 western, doesn’t raise a blip of interest today. Understandable, given that it’s a merely serviceable item, good-looking, decently performed, both proficient and undemanding, a fence sitter. It’s good qualities deserve mentioning, but what’s more noteworthy is that, though it currently rests in obscurity, at the time it outperformed quite a few movies that today are justifiably highly regarded.

The Civil War nearing its end, three Confederate prisoners (Joel McCrea, Barry Sullivan, James Whitmore) escape Union captivity in Missouri. They join up in a scheme to steal gold, bound from Sante Fe, ostensibly to use it for “the Cause”. The bullion-bearing wagon train they plan to hijack faces attack from Apaches, and, like all western wagon trains, this one comes equipped with a beautiful widow (Arlene Dahl), whose charms are enough to sway one of the Rebs (that’d be Joel) from carrying out their plan. Ambushes are in order, sides will be picked, lead thrown where it can do some good.

The year was studded with three dozen westerns; sturdy McCrea was in three more: Stars In My Crown, Saddle Tramp and Frenchie. MGM put $1,621,000 into this entry, an early credit for screenwriter Irving Ravetch, directed by journeyman Roy Rowland. The Utah locations in Technicolor are a plus, the supporting cast supplies familiar faces and it has a zesty score from André Previn, just 20 at the time, his second year at MGM with already six soundtracks counted. Acting is fine, action scenes okay, competent all around.

James Whitmore, always an ace in the deck

The $4,400,000 gross placed 68th. What’s interesting is that this out-grossed not only three of the year’s higher-profile and much better westerns (Wagonmaster, Devil’s Doorway and Two Flags West) but also outdid The Asphalt Jungle, In A Lonely Place, Night And The City, Panic In The Streets, Caged, No Way Out, The Breaking Point, Stage Fright, Where The Sidewalk Ends, Gun Crazy and The Men, plus Rashomon and La Monde. 

93 minutes, with Claude Jarman Jr., Ramon Navarro, Jeff Corey, Ted de Corsia, Russell Simpson and William Phipps.