Cat Ballou [DVD] [2003]

I first saw this film in Singapore whilst my parents were posted to RAF Seletar. Dad was in the RAF, but had a secondary duty and that was to run the small west camp Astra Cinema. So as a kid (this was the mid 60's you know), I saw virtually every film produced. Cat Ballou was my dad's favorite film and I watch it from time to time with his spirit beside me laughing away ...

I first saw this film whilst courting my wife of now more than sixty years - and so my judgement has a sentimental bias. I enjoyed it more than ever, and am delighted to have this refreshed acquaintance with it.It has been described as a parody on cowboy films - and that is fair comment. If you do not know that from the start you may struggle to laugh or join in the fun...for it is a fun film. It has a happy ending, so do not be put off by the gallows testing scene at the start - enjoy the duet singing the ballad instead.There are several subtle-ish links throughout the film which I think I missed first time round. I enjoyed it a couple of weeks ago - and am thinking about another viewing this week-end - holding hands again.Well worth buying - timeless good cinematography and entertainment.

I always liked this 1965 western comedy and recently I was pleased to see that it didn't age - at all! Below, more of my impressions, with some limited SPOILERS.Catherine Ballou (Jane Fonda) is a very respectable young lady who studied hard to become a schoolteacher and is returning now by train to Wolf City, Wyoming, near which her father, Frankie Ballou (John Marley), owns a ranch. After the voyage which is a little bit more eventful than she expected, she arrives home, just to find that her father is in serious trouble. Somebody wants to chase Frankie Ballou from his ranch and a terrifying professional killer, Tim Strawn (Lee Marvin), known for his legendary skills with gun - and also for his fake nose... In order to protect her father, she hires another legendary gunfighter, Kid Shelleen (also Lee Marvin) - but once the latter arrives, she starts to have doubts if it was really wise... And then the film really begins...The treasures of this film are many, beginning with Jane Fonda, who is at her most beautiful here. The narration is made in songs and the narrators, very much present on the screen, are two - Professor Sam the Shade, played by comic Stubby Kaye and especially Sunrise Kid, played by Nat King Cole in person. A rather clueless cattle rustler and his surprisingly young, insanely happy and extremely "zen" uncle add a lot to the show, as does also an assimilated, educated and very well spoken Indian, named Jackson Two Bears.But THE greatest asset is of course Kid Shelleen ("Then there came to town, a gun deadly and frightening / A gun quicker than lightening, fastest gun you've seen. / It was the gun in the hand of Eli 'Kid' Shelleen."). Lee Marvin got a very deserved Oscar for playing this absolutely U-N-F-O-R-G-E-T-T-A-B-L-E character! I am quite certain that if Nat King Cole didn't register his immortal hit already in 1951, he would do it in 1965 in tribute to Kid Shelleen - although the rhythm would be probably a little bit less pop and a little bit more country...)))This is a good, merry, fast paced comedy, skilfully parodying many of the most beloved western clichés: desperados, sheriffs, train robberies, gunfighters, wanted posters, six shooters, frontier justice, etc. There is nothing serious in this film and that is another of its treasure - if a remake was ever done, it should begin with Robbie Williams singing "Let me entertain you" in a country version...))) A recommended viewing. ENJOY!

I enjoyed this almost as much as the first time I saw it on the cinema. It is a lighthearted Western romp, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening's entertainment. No CGI, a half-decent story, a couple of minstrels, and a good old fashioned Hollywood Western Town. Certainly worth it at less than the cost of a big cup of coffee.

Because it’s a classic that I could not see as a boy! But now I can an thoroughly enjoy the simple filmography, uncomplicated script and easy watching in these overburdened politically correct times.....Jane I still love you!

Had seen this movie in the 60s with my parents when I was a kid, couldn’t remember a thing! With the DVD I purchased and arrived, managed to watch from start to end - very hilarious movie indeed. Hahaha the horse should had won the academy award - LOL. For Lee Marvin yup he acted the part magnificently, probably that’s how he had lived his life so fulfilling - RIP

I love this picture it is a classic it actually makes fun of it's self . Very few westerns are fun this is in every way then add to this Jane Fonda my guilty crush

Wanted to show my kids what I watched as a kid. They actually enjoyed it. Old film but a family film.