Cat Ballou

Released Jun 24, 1965

1h 36m

Western

Comedy

List

90%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When hired gun Tim Strawn (Lee Marvin) kills her rancher father, Cat Ballou (Jane Fonda) becomes an outlaw set on vengeance. Enlisting the help of washed-up gunslinger Kid Shelleen (also Marvin) as well as the handsome bandit Clay Boone (Michael Callan), Cat strikes back at the land-development company that employed Strawn, and eventually targets the assassin himself. Adding to the lively comedic mood of the film are narrative song performances by Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Mar 20

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent Cat Ballou on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Audience Member

I have seen better westerns, but you have to keep in mind. This is more of a comedy and yes it is well worth watching James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, October 26, 2023.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/27/23

Full Review

Leaburn O

A while since I watched a Western and this one reminded me why I love the genre. Fonda was wildly sexy in this one and the script was fun and jaunty. Nat King Coke did some singing throughout…what an interesting face he had. I thought it was a very good Western and deserving of its place in AFI's top ten for the genre.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/23/23

Full Review

Dave S

It's often disappointing to revisit a movie that was loved when first watched during childhood. Case in point: Cat Ballou. Seen for the first time in the 70s, it's remembered as an uproariously funny Western. Seen now, one has to wonder what happened to all of the laughs. It's not that it's a bad movie – Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin (in a dual role as a drunken gunslinger and the antagonist) are both great, the musical performances from the duo of Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye are fun, and the story is interesting. What hurts it is the corny music score, the sporadic outbursts of silly slapstick, the overacting by much of the secondary cast, and the often cringeworthy dialogue. Is it worth a watch? Sure, but just don't expect too much.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/11/23

Full Review

isla s

This film felt a bit bland and possibly a little slap-dashed, although some scenes I enjoyed more than others. The main memorable aspect of it were the songs, a bit like 'trail of the lonesome pine' - that sort of song, mostly upbeat but some are sorrowful too, sung by two men with I believe a banjo present too. There are some cliches but there are also some mildly entertaining plot elements. Its an easy enough watch and its somewhat amusing at times, in a cheesy way (the comedy is slapstick) - suffice to say, its certainly not a film to take at all seriously and I suppose I maybe somewhat liked some of the tongue in cheek-ness it has, although the naivete of the titular character irked me. Its an alright watch overall - not especially good but mildly amusing enough to pass the time I guess. I wouldn't especially recommend this film though, no. If your interested in a Western oriented comedy/parody film then I'd recommed 'A Million Ways To Die In The West' instead (although that film is less family friendly due to strong language and sex references - Cat Ballou being suitable for most kids to see). Oh and one more thing - after seeing this film, I'll bet money you'll find yourself humming/singing along to 'Cat Ballooooo', whether you like it or not.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It was the 60s, it was a time before protests, when patriotism stood for something at at the same time didn't matter. Cat Ballou is a movie that is just fun. It is a silly western with card board characters and a deceptively simple plot. But the work of Lee Marvin is beyond great. Let go of everything else that is buzzing around in your head and just enjoy the romp of this comedy western.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

john w

Childish plot, unfunny (I never laughed or just smiled), too much singing (it's not a musical). One star for Fonda's beauty.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Elliot Silverstein

Director

Jane Fonda

Catherine "Cat" Ballou

Lee Marvin

Kid Shelleen

Michael Callan

Clay Boone

Dwayne Hickman

Jed

Tom Nardini

Jackson Two-Bears

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

11%

37%

Four for Texas

33%

66%

The Hallelujah Trail

70%

58%

The Scalphunters

76%

82%

Support Your Local Sheriff!

62%

61%

Support Your Local Gunfighter

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Digital Multiplex: This Is the End, The Croods, and More

RT’s Top Seasonal Dramas — Christmas Countdown, Day Two

View more photos

Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

Jane Fonda stars in this amiable musical western spoof as the eponymous teacher turned revenge-seeking badass.

Apr 23, 2024

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Super Jane Fonda in Wild West. Ride 'em cowgirls!

Rated: 4/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Saddle-sore television viewers should find it a soothing relief.

May 9, 2005

Full Review

Judith Crist

New York Herald Tribune

Well, let’s get those old superlatives out again, this time for a small package of enormous delight labeled Cat Ballou, a western to end all westerns... and a comedy that epitomizes the sheer fun of moviemaking and movie watching.

Aug 10, 2022

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Over 55 years after its theatrical release, the Jane Fonda-starring Cat Ballou remains one of the funniest Westerns of all time.

Rated: 4/5

May 18, 2022

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Truly unlike any Western before it.

Rated: 8/10

Jan 2, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

When hired gun Tim Strawn (Lee Marvin) kills her rancher father, Cat Ballou (Jane Fonda) becomes an outlaw set on vengeance. Enlisting the help of washed-up gunslinger Kid Shelleen (also Marvin) as well as the handsome bandit Clay Boone (Michael Callan), Cat strikes back at the land-development company that employed Strawn, and eventually targets the assassin himself. Adding to the lively comedic mood of the film are narrative song performances by Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye.

Director: Elliot Silverstein
Screenwriter: Roy Chanslor, Walter Newman, Frank Pierson
Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Video, Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre: Western, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 1965, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 25, 2014
Runtime: 1h 36m

Most Popular at Home Now