Molly and Lawless John (1972)

Vera Miles is Molly Parker, neglected wife of the town sheriff (John Anderson), who sometimes helps him care for his prisoners.

And he just got a new prisoner, young Johnny Lawler (Sam Elliott), who robbed a bank and gunned down at least two men during a mostly botched getaway.

Now he’s condemned to death. And he sees just one way out, turning the head of the sheriff’s wife.

That turns out to be easily than expected once the womanizing Johnny begins turning on the charm.

He tells Molly she reminds him of his mother. He compliments her on her lovely long hair and her soothing voice. He even suggest that one night together, and he could give her the child she wants but never had.

And before the sheriff knows what’s happening, his wife has broken the murderer out of jail and they’re riding across the desert together.

Molly soon finds out the truth. She’s been used. But she holds out hopes that Johnny will develop feelings for her.

Their escape becomes more complicated when they come across a pregnant Indian woman. She dies shortly after giving birth to a baby boy.

Lawler wants to leave the baby behind. Molly won’t hear of it. In fact, she names the baby Johnny.

Review:

A well-filmed bank robbery and Johnny’s masterful manipulation of Molly once they’re left alone together will draw you into this low-budget film.

Unfortunately, in spite of the unique plot, the film bogs down after that with Vera Miles and Sam Elliott the only characters on the screen for most of its duration,

Cynthia Myers, Playboy Playmate in December 1968, has a small role as the whore Johnny really loves.

And Elliott is convincing as a royal son-of-a-bitch who cares about no one as much as himself in his first major Western role.

Directed by:
Gary Nelson

Cast:
Vera Miles … Molly Parker
Sam Elliott … Johnny Lawler
Clu Gulager … Deputy Clements
John Anderson … Sheriff Parker
Cynthia Myers … Dolly Winward
Charles Pinney … Reverend
Bob Westmoreland … Telegraph operator
Melinda Chavaria … Pregnant Apache
Pasqualita Baca … Ancient Apache

Runtime: 98 min.

Memorable lines:

Johnny Lawler: “If you ain’t had any young ‘uns yet, I bet it’s that sheriff husband of yours … Hell, I bet with a guy like me, it wouldn’t take more than one time and we’d … I’m sorry, ma’am. I guess I got carried away a bit.”

Molly Parker, on the day before the hearing that will determine whether Johnny hangs: “Johnny, don’t fret about tomorrow. The judge is bound to believe you. Anybody can see you haven’t got a mean bone in your body.”

Molly Parker: “No wonder when you saw me the thought of what you wanted your mother to be came to life.”
Johnny Lawler: “When I saw you, the only thing that came to life was the thought of getting out of that god damned jailhouse. Woman, I was just using you to save my ass.”

Johnny Lawler, preparing to bed Molly: “You ain’t much, but you’re a hell of a lot better than nothin’.”