I Shot Jesse James
| I Shot Jesse James | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Samuel Fuller |
| Produced by | Carl K. Hittleman |
| Written by |
Homer Croy (article) Samuel Fuller (story and screenplay) |
| Starring |
Preston Foster Barbara Britton John Ireland |
| Cinematography | Ernest Miller |
| Distributed by | Screen Guild Productions Inc. |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 81 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $118,000[1] |
I Shot Jesse James is a 1949 American western film directed by Samuel Fuller about the murder of Jesse James by Robert Ford and Robert Ford's life afterwards. The story is built around a fictional rivalry between Ford and his eventual killer Edward Kelley (called John in the film) over a woman. I Shot Jesse James is Samuel Fuller's first movie, and stars Reed Hadley as Jesse James and John Ireland as Bob Ford.
The film was released on video by the Criterion Collection's Eclipse imprint together with The Baron of Arizona and The Steel Helmet.[2]
Plot
Bob Ford of the Jesse James gang is wounded during a bank robbery. He mends at Jesse's home in Missouri for six months, although Jesse's wife Zee doesn't trust him.
Cynthy Waters, an actress Bob is in love with, comes to town to perform on stage. Bob catches her speaking with John Kelley, a prospector, and is jealous. He knows that Cynthy wants to get married and settle down.
In need of money, Bob hears of the governor's $10,000 reward for Jesse. He betrays his friend, shooting Jesse in the back. Bob is pardoned by the governor but receives a reward for just $500.
He spends the money on an engagement ring. Harry Kane, who manages Cynthy's career, books Bob for stage appearances in which he re-enacts the shooting of Jesse. He is booed by audiences and mocked in public for his cowardly deed.
Bob goes to Colorado to try prospecting and runs into Kelley, who is rejecting offers to become Creede's town marshal. Bob wakes up one day to find both Kelley and the engagement ring missing. Cynthy arrives just as Kelley returns, having captured the ring's thief. Kelley is disappointed when Cynthy accepts Bob's proposal, so he accepts the job as marshal.
Frank James, brother of Jesse, overhears a conversation in which Cynthy confides to Kelley that he's the one she truly loves. Frank makes sure that Bob learns of this, knowing Bob will make the fatal mistake of confronting Kelley face to face. In the street, Bob draws on Kelley and is shot dead. Kelley gets the girl and Frank avenges his brother's death.
Cast
- Preston Foster as John Kelley
- Barbara Britton as Cynthy Waters
- John Ireland as Bob Ford
- Reed Hadley as Jesse James
- J. Edward Bromberg as Harry Kane
- Victor Kilian as Soapy
- Tom Tyler as Frank James
- Tommy Noonan as Charles Ford (as Tom Noonan)
- Eddie Dunn as Joe, Silver King Bartender
- Margia Dean as Saloon Singer
- Byron Foulger as Silver King Room Clerk
- Jeni Le Gon as Veronica, Cynthy's Maid
- Barbara Woodell as Mrs. Zee James (as Barbara Wooddell)
- Phillip Pine as Man in Saloon (as Phil Pine)
- Robin Short as Troubadour
Production
Fuller was paid $5,000 to direct.[1]
References
- 1 2 Low-Budget Movies With POW!: Most fans never heard of director Sam Fuller, but to some film buffs he has real class. Low-Budget Movies By EZRA GOODMANHOLLYWOOD.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 28 Feb 1965: SM42.
- ↑ http://www.criterion.com/films/882-i-shot-jesse-james