1972 / Glendale Train / New Riders of the Purple Sage
Jesse James (1939)
Jesse James was a smash hit and the fourth largest-grossing film of 1939, behind Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and in front of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
That’s a hell of a year for Movies – those are 4Classics.
A sequel, The Return of Frank James, directed by Fritz Lang and with Henry Fonda reprising his role as Frank James along with a variety of other actors playing the same characters as they had in Jesse James,
was released in 1940.
It seems almost daily that somebody finds another photo
of Jesse James or Billy the Kid. A lot are fakes or false of course, but even some that
are authentic are so bizarre that you have shake your head.
Like this one with Robert Ford (Jesse assassin)
and Jesse himself seated together.
It’s rather amazing.
And is that a top knot on Jesse’s head?
Seem so.
I wanted to post an authentic Jesse James “Wanted Poster” here,
but I couldn’t identify even one that I can confidence in.
Jesse Woodson James (1847 – 1882) American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla, leader of the James–Younger Gang, member of infamous Quantrill raiders.
I woulda put my money on The Kid.
Tyrone Power as Jesse James / Jesse James as himself (age 17) / Billy the Kid (age?)
Between 1921 and 2007 we count 28 movies about Jesse James
or where Jesse James was a prominent character.
Between 1911 and 2011 we count 23 movies about Billy the Kid
or where Billy the Kid was a prominent character.
If this was a football game, The Kid needs a touchdown.
But it’s not a football game.
It’s the stories of two killers. Two men driven to violence and killing …
who have become Western folk heroes.
Until they were assassinated by their friends.
Jesse James / 1939
Tyrone Power
When Jesse James is played by a Matinee Idol you know he ain’t gonna be a Badguy.
The movie was criticized for Historical inaccuracies.
Not that I care. It is not a documentary.
Jesse James (1939) was the 4th movie about Jesse James.
The Epic Story of the most Colourful Outlaw who ever lived
Motion Pictures’ Supreme Epic !
The world branded him . . . an OUTLAW . . . a KILLER . . . a WOLF . . . but to the simple folk who knew him he was a victim of injustice – and to the girl who loved him he was brave and a gentle lover ! !
The Tremendous Dramatic Thrills Of the Midwest’s Lawless Era will burst from our screen…
Young Tyrone Power (age 25) as Jesse James
1939 – Tyrone was voted the #1 male box-office draw in Hollywood by exhibitors.
Henry Fonda (age 34) as Frank James
Henry’s second Western toward becoming one of the Greatest Western Stars of all time.
Randolph Scott (aged 41) as Will Wright
Westerns personified.
Nancy Kelly as Zerelda “Zee” James
A successful child actress, radio star, then a leading lady in 27 movies in the 1930s and ’40s, Her younger brother was actor Jack Kelly (Maverick).
John Carradine (age 33) was backshooter Bob Ford
In 1939 Carradine also Starred in John Ford’s great Western Classic Stagecoach with John Wayne.
Reviews:
The whole film can be watched in 720 resolution and glorious Technicolor on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LZTSwk8P6I
Yeah … maybe that’s part of their appeal? Jesse – to me – always had those eyes though – transfixed or traumatized – or both. It’s not known how many people he must have killed, but it was surely a considerable number.
Much of that was done under the banner (excuse) of war, of course. But it’s well known that he had a massive hate inside him and he is fingered for taking part in outright massacres.
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