When we saw this poster for Outlaw Women we were hoping for semi-serious b-level western action. No such luck. It’s a comedy. But we watched it anyway, and it’s about a town called Las Mujeres, controlled by women and led by tough Marie Windsor. They don’t want more men there, by any stretch, but the place needs a doctor, so traveling sawbones Richard Rober is kidnapped and brought into the fold, where he immediately bemoans what he considers to be the unnatural state of distaff rule. He may get his wish that women be toppled from power when a federal judge gallops into town and announces elections. While nine of ten residents in Las Mujeres are women, they can’t vote, and can’t hold political office.
No need for more plot discussion. As we said, this is a lightweight movie, so everything will sort itself out about the way you expect, weddings and all. The film is certainly interesting to watch in today’s social climate. On the surface it’s meant to be a cute and chauvinistic little romp, and with the good feelings and flirting cranked up to ten it works pretty well. But it’s also—accidentally—a good illustration of a meme from a couple of years ago in which a woman is asked by a man, “If there are no men around who’s going to be there to protect you?” The woman responds, “Protect us from what?” That’s the real lesson of Outlaw Women. We don’t recommend the movie, but we can’t slam it either. It’s fine. It premiered today in 1952.
