Cat Ballou

Directed by Elliot Silverstein, 1965

Based on a novel by Roy Chanslor

A young schoolteacher turns into an outlaw to avenge her murdered father.

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Lee Marvin plays Shelleen / Strawn
Jane Fonda plays Cat Ballou

Michael Callan plays Clay Boone

Dwayne Hickman plays Jed

Nat 'King' Cole plays Shouter / Sunrise Kid (as Nat King Cole)

Stubby Kaye plays Shouter / Sam the Shade

John Marley plays Frankie Ballou

Catherine Ballou’s family farm is being threatened by the Rail Road. She sends for Kid Shelleen, finding him to be the drunkest gunfighter in the west. When her father is killed by the rail road magnate’s gunman, she vows to fight on. Shelleen manages to ride sideways in several scenes, while minstrels sing the ballad of Cat Ballou in between scenes.

 

"I have always enjoyed the tour-de-fore effort of Lee Marvin in this movie. There are a series of scenes that make it an utter delight. When the rear of the stagecoach is opened and the crumpled up gunslinger rolls out on the ground, we know it’s going to be a tough ride. When they get him sobered up enough to show his skill and in a demonstration of shooting, he misses the barn. He and his horse leaning against a building, both of them apparently drunk. Kid’s rendition of Happy Birthday at the funeral of Cat’s father. The ongoing chorus of 'The Ballad of Cat Ballou' with Stubby Kaye and Nat “King” Cole. The scene where Kid Schelleen is bathed and preened in preparation for the big showdown is a classic. It’s so much fun from beginning to end. This is a feel-good movie which never needs to be taken seriously."

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