Movie review: Cat Ballou

Cat Ballou 
Starring: Jane Fonda, Lee Marvin, Michael Callan, Dwayne Hickman, Nat 'King' Cole, Stubby Kaye, Tom Nardini, John Marley, Reginald Denny, Jay C. Flippen, Arthur Hunnicutt, Bruce Cabot, Burt Mustin, Paul Gilbert 

Director: Elliot Silverstein 

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Harold Hecht Productions, USA, 1965.

In animated intro sequence the Columbia Pictures lady turns into western gunslinger girl. Catherine 'Cat' Ballou (Jane Fonda) is about to get hanged. How did it came to that? And can she escape? 

Young Cat is travelling home after becoming a schoolteacher. In the train there is also Sheriff Maledon (Bruce Cabot) with an arrested outlaw Clay Boone (Michael Callan) and Clay's disguised Boone's Uncle Jed (Dwayne Hickman). Incidentally Cat helps lovable rogue Clay escape. At home Cat's father Frankie (John Marley) has sold all his horses. Ranch hand and Sioux named Jackson Two-Bears (Tom Nardini) tells that town wants to take over the land and build a factory. 

Catherine 'Cat' Ballou

Clay Boone and Sheriff Maledon

Clay and Boone escape

Silver nosed gunman Tim Strawn (Lee Marvin) appears and intimidates Ballou's. Corrupted Sheriff Cardigan (Jay C. Flippen) will not help them. Jackon suggests hiring gunfighter Kid Shelleen (Lee Marvin) for protection. First Cat wants to hire Clay and Jed who appear at the barn dance. However Clay and Jed are useless, so Cat writes to Kid Shelleen. Kid is a drunk who can not hit a barn. However his accuracy returns after he gets a little whiskey.

Cat's father and Jackson Two-Bears

Tim Strawn

Kid Shelleen is not a regular gunfighter

When dad is murdered, Cat becomes an outlaw to make the town pay. They start by robbing a train. Wolf City big boss Sir Harry Percival (Reginald Denny) does not like it! To duel with Strawn, Kid must get his act together.

Robbing the train

Kid gets his act together

The movie spoofs other Westerns, laughing lightly on Wild West tropes. In one bar the heroes meet Butch Cassidy as a bartender (Arthur Hunnicutt). Still the spoofing is not as heavy as in "The Blazing Saddles" so the movie works also as a humorous western. Now and then two minstrels (Nat 'King' Cole & Stubby Kaye) sing the ballad of Cat Ballou. There is also Benny Hill-style sped-up chase. And a nice barn dance scene. Jane Fonda makes transitions from shy schoolteacher to outlaw boss and seductive vamp. Versatile Lee Marvin (as Kid) goes through a funny rehab and training routine. As Strawn his role is quite small. Tom Nardini is also great as Cat's non-stereotypical Indian sidekick.

Disguised Cat

Stubby Kaye and Nat 'King' Cole sing Ballad of Cat Ballou

Rating: Very good