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Cat Ballou

Play trailer Poster for Cat Ballou Released Jun 24, 1965 1h 36m Western Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
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.
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Cat Ballou

Critics Reviews

View All (31) Critics Reviews
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

Audience Reviews

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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
Cat Ballou

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Harold Hecht
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
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