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Thursday, February 5, 2015

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.
Cat Ballou title
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. 
Jane Fonda
Catherine 'Cat' Ballou
Michael Callan and Bruce Cabot
Clay Boone and Sheriff Maledon
Michael Callan and Dwayne Hickman
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.
Jane Fonda, John Marley and Tom Nardini
Cat's father and Jackson Two-Bears
Lee Marvin
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
Lee Marvin and Tom Nardini
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.
Jane Fonda
Disguised Cat
Stubby Kaye and Nat 'King' Cole sing Ballad of Cat Ballou
Rating: Very good

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