Cat Ballou (Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Cat Ballou (Special Edition)
Movie Review: Kabuki In The Far West
Summary: 5 Stars
Although "Cat Ballou" is usually categorized as a Western Comedy, this film actually resembles a musical; in fact, the songs chanted by balladeers Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye are at the heart of "Cat Ballou."
The emotional range of these pieces is quite impressive--ranging from the principal ballad's ironic high-spirits, through the poignancy of "They'll never make her cry" to the sublime ridicule of "And now you are old." That final song, which sounds as though it were actually written in the 1890's, is a hilarious outpouring of moralistic sentimentality--appropriately sung in an Old West brothel! It's noteworthy that the balladeers always appear in front of the camera--never as mere background music performers. Thus singing in the streets, on the prairie, etc., they literally accompany the action in the same way that Japanese musicians appear onstage during a kabuki drama performance: they become an intrinsic part of what their songs are interpreting. Naturally, the presence of these troubadours undermines any sense of film "realism." However, I have no problem with such unreality; "realism" in any art form, including films, is never real enough. Furthermore, the fantastic presence of singers Cole and Kaye following the principal characters around certainly seems consonant with the film's overall atmosphere--which is more fairy tale than hard & gritty editorial.
The script itself is fairly light-weigh but coherent; it concerns would-be schoolmarm Catharine Ballou (played charmingly by Jane Fonda) revenging her father's murder at the hands of land-grabbing outlaws in 1890's Wyoming. To further her plans for vengeance--or justice-- she enlists the help of two rather gun-shy outlaws--Michael Callan, with whom she falls in love, and Dwayne Hickman, in a hilarious performance as Callan's unlikely "uncle." She also hires a fantastically gin-soaked gunslinger whom she once idolized from the accounts she read of him in pulp Westerns; the gunman (played flamboyantly by Lee Marvin) manages to sober up long enough to kill Catharine's main antagonist (a noseless monstrosity also acted by Marvin). Along the way, Cat manages to lead a daring train robbery, thus achieving "outlaw" status herself. Further, she finally kills the villain who masterminded her father's murder--which results in her being charged with murder, and inevitably sentenced to hang. Literally in the nick of time she escapes the rope in a scene which is stunning, brilliant cinema; no surprise that Stanley Kubrick used one of these climactic moments in his own masterpiece "A Clockwork Orange."
As the songs that pervade "Cat Ballou" give significance to the action, the actors themselves prove worthy of their balladeers. Young Jane Fonda is indescribably appealing--an amalgam of sheer beauty and talent that I can only call "immortal." As her love interest, Michael Callan seems rather unworthy--but who wouldn't be? As for Dwayne Hickman (TV's original "Dobie Gillis"): he gives a delighful performance, particularly in his initial scene as a fake, but truly drunk, preacher. His introductory line to Jane Fonda is classic in its delivery--"I'm drunk as a skunk!" By contrast, Lee Marvin's gunslinger character seems a bit overdone (his Academy Award for the part notwithstanding). But a fine excess may be considered part and parcel of "Cat Ballou." In any event, this film remains a rarity: 40 years after its release it remains consistently watchable, even lovable-- while many more ambitious/pretentious films have ridden off into the sunset.
Movie Review: Wonderful western film spoof, with an amazing soundtrack too
Summary: 5 Stars
Cat Ballou is a movie spoof unlike any other, and a great parody of the Western film genre. Jane Fonda appears in one of her most playful film roles ("Barbarella" is another light and funny Fonda classic), and Lee Marvin gives one of his finest film performances (he won his Oscar for his dual roles). Add to this mix a wondrous soundtrack, with Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye as minstrels of sorts who stroll and sing throughout, making the film almost seem like a musical; an outstanding supporting cast including Michael Callan (who later appeared on TV's "One Life to Live"), and Dwayne Hickman (TV's Dobie Gillis), and the result is this hilarious, thoroughly entertaining film that was nominated for five Academy Awards (Marvin was the sole winner).
Catherine Ballou (Fonda) is a recently graduated-from-training schoolteacher returning home to live with her father on his ranch, but he is gunned down upon her arrival. She enlists the help of a loyal ranch-hand, a couple of outlaws, and most notably, a has-been alcoholic gunman by the name of Kid Shelleen (Marvin) to help her get revenge. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable film that still stands up today, and Lee Marvin stealing the entire film in his amazing dual role performance as both Tim Strong and Kid Sheleen. Lee Marvin alone makes the film well worth seeing.
The dialogue is great. Take this exchange as an example:
Jackson Two-Bears: "Kid, Kid, what a time to fall off the wagon. Look at your eyes."
Kid Shelleen: "What's wrong with my eyes?"
Jackson Two-Bears: "Well they're red; bloodshot."
Kid Shelleen: "You ought to see 'em from my side."
I was thrilled when the widescreen special edition of this long-time favorite of mine came out in 2003, and on DVD. I have the soundtrack on vinyl, but I have always wished that it would come out on CD; Nat King Cole is one of my all-time favorite singers, and his rendition of "They'll Never Make Me Cry" always makes me...anyway. This film still hasn't lost any of its humor or fun with the passing of time, and stays on my personal "top ten list" of great comedies.
Movie Review: Great movie, great DVD!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Well now, friends, just lend an ear / For you're now about to hear / The Ballad of Cat Ballou..." so begins the "Greek chorus" of Nat 'King' Cole and Stubby Kaye, banjos in hand. Having seen "There's Something About Mary" before "Cat Ballou," I didn't realize that the former was paying homage to the latter with this clever device. (Of course, being the original, "Cat Ballou" does it much better). By the way, the often-humorous score is by Frank DeVol.The performances are good all around, each character with well-played and memorable funny bits. Jane Fonda plays it straight and serious next to the inept-ness of so-called outlaws Dwayne Hickman and Michael Callan and the over-the-top Lee Marvin (in a dual role as the Kid Sheleen, the drunken hero, and Tim Strawn, the bad guy with an artificial nosepiece). Marvin and the horse steal the show!
This movie is a lot of fun - pure entertainment - and the DVD people at Columbia/Tri-Star did a really good job putting together some extras. The audio commentary with Hickman and Callan itself is fun to listen to while watching the movie on repeat; it's very informative and even laugh-out-loud funny at times. The featurette with the director provides some good info on the movie, and the original trailer and vintage advertising (movie posters, etc.) is nostalgic.
The picture and sound quality is excellent; the visuals are clear and colorful, no noticeable scratches...the sound is very clear for being monaural. One side of the disc has the widescreen (definitive) version; the other side has the formatted version, which is also worth a look as it contains some extra information at the top and bottom of the screen on the scenes that were soft-matted.
I love this movie - it's nice to see that the DVD people took some interest enough to put together the special features on an almost 40-year-old film. Keep up the good work!
Movie Review: Destroys My Perceptions
Summary: 5 Stars
There are few people who could be said to like Jane Fonda less than I do. My perception of her is in keeping with her Barbarella/Klute image. I think she is a lousy &%#$. After seeing this film, however, I have to admit the lady does have some talent. Maybe "lady" is too strong a word.
This is a delightful comedy. Ms. Fonda plays an "innocent" schoolteacher whose father is killed by the local land baron in a western town. She vows revenge and gets it with the help of "a sex maniac", "his uncle", an Indian (stellar performance) and a drunken gunfighter. In the process, everyone racks up the laughs except for Fonda who plays the "straight man" extremely well. Nat King Cole makes his last appearance in this film before losing his battle with cancer. He plays a minstrel who, with Stubby Kaye, keeps the audience informed as to the progress of the story. It all comes together remarkably well.
Fonda has never had any trouble appearing beautiful. She does an excellent job of that in this film. More important, though, is her sense of timing and setting up the antics of the other characters. She also manages to make herself a sympathetic character. I never would have thought I could feel that way about her.
Lee Marvin steals the show as the drunken gunfighter, Kid Shelleen, and as Shelleen's mortal enemy and brother, Tim Strawn. He does not get as much screen time as one might expect but every second is precious.
This is an extravagant comedy. It evokes earlier westerns and pokes fun at them in a good natured way while poking fun at itself. It is a job well done by all involved.
Movie Review: Steel-eyed Kid Shelleen
Summary: 5 Stars
Saw this flick when it first came out: four performances were unforgettable --- marvellous Marvin, fascinating Fonda, melodious Cole and Kaye. Within its own light comedy framework this film is a masterpiece, regardless of what one or two reviewers think. This must be due to Elliot Silverstein's exceptionally deft direction. It is fast-paced and beautifully balanced. The characters cut across each other like oil and vinegar, hardly a scene is out of place. It has all the hallmarks of a masterpiece: timelessly entertaining, thought-provoking and even moving, both sad and funny, and can stand any number of repeat viewings. Silverstein's comments in the extra features are brief, to the point and invaluable. Fonda's acting (what a sweetie, what a dish!) is perfection in the part; Marvin's magical transformation from derelict to dead-eye via a throat-full of hooch is just as astounding every time you watch it. His arrival in Wolf City is one of the most dynamic entrances by a legendary gunman ever seen in movies. Anyone who hasn't already seen this evergreen comedy is in for a treat.