Jesse James

Be the first to write a review

Overview

The real Frank and Jesse James were murderous thugs, light years away from the Robin Hood image imposed on them by revisionist dime novelists. But in 1939, 20th Century-Fox wasn't about to build an expensive Technicolor feature around the exploits of a couple of low-lives, thus Jesse James upholds the mythos, offering us the standard whitewashed version of the James boys. According to Nunally Johnson's irresistibly entertaining screenplay, Jesse Tyrone Power and Frank Henry Fonda become train and bank robbers to ...
See more details below
This VHS is Not Available through BN.com
See All Options

More About This Product

Overview

The real Frank and Jesse James were murderous thugs, light years away from the Robin Hood image imposed on them by revisionist dime novelists. But in 1939, 20th Century-Fox wasn't about to build an expensive Technicolor feature around the exploits of a couple of low-lives, thus Jesse James upholds the mythos, offering us the standard whitewashed version of the James boys. According to Nunally Johnson's irresistibly entertaining screenplay, Jesse Tyrone Power and Frank Henry Fonda become train and bank robbers to avenge the death of their mother Jane Darwell, killed at the behest of greedy railroad interests. Once he feels his work is done, Jesse settles down to a life of marital domesticity--only to be shot in the back by cowardly Bob Ford John Carradine. Frank James is left alive at film's end, paving the way for the 1941 sequel The Return of Frank James. Director Henry King stages the action sequences in glorious outsized fashion, notably the famous bank-robbery scene in which Jesse rides his horse through a plate glass window. The scenes involving both James brothers are stolen hands-down by Henry Fonda, not so much because he was a better actor than Tyrone Power but because his character had all the best lines. Jesse James was filmed largely on location in Missouri, resulting in crowd-control nightmares for the picture's beleaguered assistant directors.
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler
Historians will shudder at Jesse James, a biopic which is much more interested in the legend of the famous outlaw than in the facts, but viewers looking only for entertainment will be quite happy with this rip-roaring adventure tale. While the story has been whitewashed, credit should be given to the creators of Jesse for at least not making the title character as pure as the driven snow. Though the motivation they have devised for his first forays into crime make him out to be something of an avenging angel, as time goes on they show that greed does enter into his continued career. Still, with matinee idol Tyrone Power playing the part, there's only a certain amount of "sullying" that can come into play. Power does very well with the part, turning in a powerful performance that anchors the film and handling his dramatic scenes with aplomb. As brother Frank, Henry Fonda's role is much smaller, but he makes a terrific impact; granted, the part is written as a bit of a scene stealer, but Fonda really runs with it and his scenes are especially memorable. Nancy Kelly is only so-so, but the rest of the supporting cast is right on target. Henry King's direction is nimble and deft.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 5/4/1999
  • UPC: 086162869334
  • Original Release: 1939

    • Rating:

  • Source: 20TH CENTURY FOX
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Tyrone Power Jesse James
Henry Fonda Frank James
Nancy Kelly Zerelda "Zee" Cobb
Randolph Scott Marshall Will Wright
Brian Donlevy Barshee
Henry Hull Major Rufus Cobb
John Carradine Bob Ford
George "Slim" Summerville Jailer
J. Edward Bromberg George Runyon, the Pinkerton Man
Donald Meek McCoy
John Russell Jesse James, Jr.
Jane Darwell Mrs. Samuels
Charles Tannen Charles Ford
Claire Du Brey Mrs. Ford
Willard Robertson Lynch
Harold Goodwin Bill of Jesse's Gang
Ernest Whitman Pinky
Eddy Waller Deputy
Spencer Charters Priest
Erville Alderson Old Marshal
Arthur Ayleswofth Tom Colson
Granville Bates
George Breakston Farmer's Boy
Virginia Brissac Boy's Mother
Paul E. Burns Hank
George Chandler Roy, the Printer
Lon Chaney Jr. Member of Jesse's Gang
Donald Douglas Infantry Captain
John Elliott Judge Mathews
James Flavin Cavalry Captain
Wylie Grant
Charles Halton Heywood, the Banker
Harry Holman Engineer
Leonard Kibrick Boy
Ethan Laidlaw Barshee's Henchman
Tom London Soldier
Charles B. Middleton Doctor
George O'Hara Tiller
Edward J. Le Saint Judge Rankin
Paul Sutton Lynch
Harry Tyler Farmer
Technical Credits
Henry King Director
Darryl F. Zanuck Director, Producer
George Barnes Cinematographer
William S. Darling Art Director
George Dudley Art Director
Howard Greene Cinematographer
W. Howard Greene Cinematographer
Nunnally Johnson Associate Producer, Screenwriter
Barbara McLean Editor
Louis Silvers Score Composer, Musical Direction/Supervision
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously