thomson7625 Review of Jesse James' Women

Jesse James' Women (1954)

Too many hats for one man does not a good movie make.

[2/10 · 26 January 2019]

Where does one begin ? Anyone who attempts to take on the mantles of producer, director, writer, and star of a film is either an extremely versatile talent or someone with delusions of grandeur biting off much more than he can chew. In the case of Jesse James' Women it is decidedly the latter. Don "Red" Barry has given us a very low budget, highly fictionalized look at what purports to be a slice of the life of the famous western outlaw / hero. Granted he isn't up to any of the tasks he performs here but he also manages to give us an effort that is so dominated by his presence that the very few other professional performers here can make little impact. I have seen a number of films and TV appearances featuring the efforts of Peggy Castle and she is, at least for my money, the best performer here though scant evidence is provided to back that up. The best thing one can say is that at least she looks good here. Lita Baron has a rather thankless role and provides two vocal performances, one of which is pretty much in keeping with the poor quality of the film. Other than Jack Buetel's decent turn as Frank James I must assume that most of the other "actors" rarely if ever worked again in film - at least I hope not for once was surely enough. The films' sole reason for being remembered, apparently, was the titillation aspect complete with a daring-for-its-time catfight which gives Castle an opportunity to throw some punches, roll around on the floor, and end up with beer poured over her and her co-combatant by the "star", Barry, She also takes part in a "climactic" gunfight with the same female which has its ending suffer the same fate as the film, botched. Trust me, your time could be much better spent watching ... well, ... nearly anything else and this comes from a true lover of old westerns. Peggy Castle supposedly once showed up on the set of a film and after taking in the cast, budget, and script said "Who do I have to sleep with to get out of making this picture ?" I do not know if that anecdote is true but. if so, one has to wonder if this is the film referred to.