The Return of Jesse James

Exceptional acting highlights this sometimes dark, grim, western. John Ireland is at his best and carries the transformation from cowboy to criminal in an impressive manner. The characters are notably well developed for such a short running time. You may also take note of a fine, penetrating performance by Henry Hull and the death scene of a young Hugh O'Brien. If you remember the mood of "The Little Big Horn" and want it created in a different setting then this movie is a must for any collector.

Interesting idea of a Jesse James lookalike trying to resurrect his identity to pull jobs. Reed Hadley is sufficiently stoic as Frank James, hunting down the bogus Jesse to preserve the real Jesse's reputation. Ireland gives his generally professional performance, hinting broadly at his character's complexity. But in the second half, this fine premise degenerates quickly into a run-of-the mill oater. 5/10.

"The Return of Jesse James" was another of Lippert Pictures ventures into the legend of the James Brothers. Directed by first time director Arthur Hilton, whose forte was editing, it is an interesting western and contains a cast of recognizable performers, some on the way up and others on the way down. In any event the combination works.

Drifter Johnny Callum (John Ireland) rides into the town where Bob (Clifton Young) and Charley Ford (Tommy Noonan) run a saloon and where Bob proudly displays the gun with which he killed legendary outlaw Jesse James. Callum is befriended by saloon girl Sue Ellen Younger (Ann Dvorak) who takes a shine to him. Her father Hank (Henry Hull) and brother Lem (Hugh O'Brian) who rode with the James boys look on and Hank sees a resemblance between Johnny and Jesse James. Hank proposes that Johnny impersonate Jesse and revive the gang.

The gang led by Johnny with encouragement from Sue Ellen duplicate Jesse's pattern of robberies from years before. Before long, Frank James (Reed Hadley) learns of this and rides to Hank's ranch to elicit a promise from him that the use of the James name will stop. Hank agrees but Johnny prodded by the gold digging Sue Ellen continues the robberies.

Frank decides to put a stop to the robberies by warning the town of Westfield of an impending robbery. He and the town sheriff (Victor Kilian) set a trap for the gang and.............................

For John Ireland, this was his first starring role. He had gained fame with roles in "Red River" (1948) and in "All The King's Men" (1949) for which he received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor. He would go on to alternate between supporting roles in "A" features and starring roles in "B" pictures, mostly westerns.

Ann Dvorak and Henry Hull's careers went all the way back to the teens. Dvorak first appeared in films in 1916 at the age of four and is remembered for her role in the gangster classic "Scarface" (1932). Hull similarly saw his career in films begin in 1917 and is best remembered for the title role in "Werewolf of London" (1935).

Others in the cast include Margia Dean as a saloon singer, Sid Melton as the piano player, Byron Foulger as a politician, Peter Marshall (of Hollywood Squares fame) as one of the boys and Hank Patterson and Earle Hodgins as various lawmen.

Peter Marshall and Tommy Noonan were a comedy team at one time during the 1950s. Noonan can also be seen as Marilyn Monroe's suitor in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953). Hugh O'Brian went on to a so-so career at Universal before hitting it big in TV's "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955-61). Sid Melton appeared on "The Danny Thomas Show" on TV.

Ireland is the Jesse James look-alike that tries to out-do the famed gangster. Hadley is Frank James, determined to preserve his dead brothers reputation. This is a tight little western that moves at a nice pace, featuring fine action from a notable supporting cast. Although not as dark and moody as "I Shot Jesse James"(1949), with Ireland back in the lead, this makes a nice companion piece from Lippert Pictures.

When you get the chance, view this compact little western with an ear tuned to the music score. It was written by Ferde Grofe, one of America's best known 20th century composers. Written in the same year as his score for ROCKETSHIP XM, this score is not nearly so well-known, but it has merit on its own. Each character has a musical theme, and Sue Younger's melody (Ann Dvorak) couldn't be nicer and more appropriate.