Cat Ballou (Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Cat Ballou (Special Edition)
Movie Review: Sly Western Parody
Summary: 4 Stars
When Cat Ballou was released in 1965 it was a sleeper hit for Columbia Pictures and its director Elliot Silverstein. In the forty-four years since its release it has become a cult classic. It opened the door for the Western comedies that followed it especially films like Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles.
Taking Western convention in this case the western land grab and turning it on its ear, Silverstein made a great sweetly funny film. Starring Jane Fonda as Cat Ballou, the film is a revenge tale. Hiring washed up gunslinger Kid Shalleen (Lee Marvin) to protect her father and his land; Ballou becomes an outlaw when her father is killed. Added to the mix are two con artists Cole(Michael Callan) and his Uncle Jed (Dwayne Hickman) who join her unlikely gang. Rounding out matters are a type of Greek chorus played by Stubby Kaye and Nat King Cole who sing the story of Cat's legend.
The Columbia disc provides an excellent transfer of the film. The original mono sound may be a little low for many players but it is quite clear. The disc offers a lively commentary by Callan and Hickman and an excellent featurette The Legend of Cat Ballou featuring director Eliot Silverstein.
Well worth adding to your collection.
Movie Review: Steiger Wuz Robbed
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a little ambivalent towards this genteel western comedy. Lee Marvin is one of my all-time favorite actors giving masterful turns in "Point Blank" and "The Big Red One" among many others. Marvin is more than adequate as Kid Shelleen but, be real, it's a glorified supporting turn. Marvin's work here does not hold a candle to the work of Rod Steiger in "The Pawnbroker" and Richard Burton in "The Spy Who Came In From the Cold" who both lost the Oscar to Marvin. Oscar righted itself two years later by rewarding Steiger for "In the Heat of the Night" but gold was never bestowed on Burton despite seven nods. I also recall that years ago TBS was showing "Cat Ballou" ad nauseum when Ted Turner was sparking Jane Fonda. Despite these peeves Marvin is engaging and Fonda does a winsome turn as the schoolmarm turned outlaw. I also can't diss any flick that features the great character actor, John Marley, who plays Fonda's father and doesn't fail to disappoint here. Marley gave similarly memorable turns in "Love Story" and "The Godfather".Movie Review: Very Funny; Great Marvin
Summary: 4 Stars
I really only knew Lee Marvin as a tough un-emotional army officer in movies like 'Dirty Dozen' and the 'Big Red One'. Here he plays a very drunk cowboy helping out a young woman (Fonda) who lost her father because the people in the town are after his farm. His role her is very funny and also really good and he deservedly got the oscar for this performance.
Jane Fonda is very young here and plays a surprisingly comical role as a well educated woman who prefers to read dime-novels instead of Tennyson. Everything she does she even gets out of these novels.
The entire movie is funny, dialogue is great and they make fun of a lot of typical western stuff.
A special mention has to be made of Nat King Cole who, with someone else, acts as a kind of narrator of the story, but more like a bard/troubador who sings the story. The movie came out after he died unfortunately.
Movie Review: Wicked through and through
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great little comedy, kind of a musical with lots of laughs, catchy songs, and some classic scenes. Lee Marvin is very deserving of his Oscar, as scene stealer Kid Shelleen. This drunken gun slinger manages to miss the broad side of a barn. Jane Fonda is great as the revenge seeking Cat Balou. "The face of an angel, fights like the devil."However, the real treat of this film is the pair of wandering minstrels. Stubby Kaye (Nicely Nicely in Guys and Dolls) strums around with Nat "King" Cole providing a lovely soundtrack. Their performance really makes this movie work, and moves it beyond a western parody.
Movie Review: Cat Ballou
Summary: 4 Stars
One of the most enjoyable Western comedies out there. Lee Marvin's performances are a thing of beauty -- though his Kid Shelleen occasionally veers into the overly absurd. Jane Fonda is both poignant and very funny as the lead character who evolves from innocent young woman to criminal mastermind. Everyone is having a blast, but I also especially enjoyed Dwayne Hickman as Uncle Jed. And did you ever think you'd see Nat King Cole performing duets with Stubby Kaye? Well, this move has a lot of unexpected treats; I recommend it highly.