Ride Lonesome (1959)

Randolph Scott plays Ben Brigade, a bounty hunter who captures Billy John in the film’s opening scene. He’s determined to take his prisoner back to Sante Fe to be tried and possibly hanged.

But along the way, he encounters an old acquaintance named Sam Boone (Pernell Roberts) and his partner Whit (James Coburn).

They want Billy John, too — not for the bounty — but because amnesty has been offered to the person who brings him in. And Boone is tired of living the life of a wanted man; he’s ready to settle down.

So they head off to Sante Fe with a second complication in tow. She’s named Mrs. Lane (Karen Steele), and she’s as pretty as they come and just widowed.

That’s because of the third complication, warring Indians who killed her husband, the manager of a stage station.

With Indians on he warpath, Billy John’s brother likely to try to set him free and a lovely woman to protect, Brigade, Boone and Whit forge an allegiance, figuring that’s their best bet for reaching their destination.

But the closer they get to Sante Fe, the closer they get to a showdown over Billy John.

Randolph Scott as Ben Brigade, a man with a bounty to collect and an old score to settle in Ride Lonesome (1959)

Karen Steele as Mrs. Lane, trying to drive off three strangers at the point of a gun in Ride Lonesome (1959)

Review:

Perhaps the best of Budd Boetticher-Randolph Scott films. Scott and Roberts turn in solid performances, Karen Steele never looked lovelier and the menacing Lee Van Cleef plays Billy John’s brother.

But the unexpected twist comes from the motivation of Brigade’s character. Let’s just say taking Billy John in to face a hangman’s noose isn’t his top priority.

The film also marked one of James Coburn’s first appearances on the big screen. He plays Whit, Boone’s partner.

Pernell Roberts as Sam Boone and buddy Whit (James Coburn) admire the scenery — Mrs. Lane’s curves — in Ride Lonesome (1959)

James Best as Billy John, trying to scare Mrs. Lane (Karen Steele) into helping him escape in Ride Lonesome (1959)

Directed by:
Budd Boetticher

Cast:
Randolph Scott … Ben Brigade
Karen Steele … Mrs. Lane
Pernell Roberts …. Sam Boone
James Best … Billy John
Lee Van Cleef … Frank
James Coburn … Whit
Boyd Stockman … Indian chief

Runtime: 73 min.

Lee Van Cleef as Frank, brother of the man Ben Brigade is taking in to face justice in Ride Lonesome (1959)

James Best as Billy John, getting a gun on Ben Brigade, but it might not be loaded in Ride Lonesome (1959)

Memorable lines:

Mrs. Lane, thanking Brigade for saving her life: “Mr. Brigade, I’m sorry about everything. I know I’m a lot of trouble. You took an awful chance out there.”
Ben Brigade: “Seemed like a good idea.”

Sam Boone: “Can you imagine having her around all that time. All them days. Nights. Just thinking on it gives me a way down shiver.”
Whit: “Wonder what she’ll do now she’s without a man.”
Boone: “Find another.”
Whit: “Well, if she loved that fella hard enough, she’d stay a widow, wouldn’t she?”
Boone: “Ain’t the kind. Not her. She are. Some get along without. Not her. She’s the kind that’s got a need. Deep lonely need only a man can get at.”
Whit: “How do you know?”
Boone: “Seen it in her eyes, Whit.”
Whit stares at her silouette.
Boone, scolding: “In her eyes.”

Brigade: “There are some things a man just can’t ride around.”

Randolph Scott as Ben Brigade and Pernell Roberts as Sam Boone spot Indian trouble coming their way in Ride Lonesome (1959)

Randolph Scott as Ben Brigade leading Mrs. Lane (Karen Steele) out to negotiate with the Indians in Ride Lonesome (1959)

Karen Steele as Mrs. Lane and James Coburn as Whit head for cover with a final showdown imminent in Ride Lonesome (1959)

Randolph Scott as Ben Brigade, expecting Sam Boone (Pernell Roberts) to keep a promise as Mrs. Lane (Karen Steele) looks on in Ride Lonesome (1959)