Cat Ballou Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A schoolteacher orders a gunslinger from Wish, gets an alcoholic who occasionally remembers how to shoot, and together they fight capitalism with the help of some wacky friends and catchy tunes.

🍿 Cat Ballou: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Schoolteacher Returns Home

Catherine ‘Cat’ Ballou, a schoolteacher, returns to her family’s ranch in Wolf City, Wyoming, only to find it threatened by the Wolf City Development Corporation, who seeks to acquire her father’s water rights. She also meets hired gun Tim Strawn, who has been hired to intimidate her father. Determined to protect her father, Cat seeks help.

Hiring a Gunfighter

Cat decides to hire her own gunfighter and sends for the legendary Kid Shelleen. However, when Shelleen arrives, he turns out to be a washed-up, drunken has-been. Despite his condition, Cat hopes Shelleen can still protect her father from the ruthless Tim Strawn and the Wolf City Development Corporation.

Tragedy and Transformation

Tragedy strikes when Tim Strawn ambushes and kills Cat’s father. Frustrated by the corrupt local law enforcement, Cat decides to take matters into her own hands, becoming an outlaw herself. With the help of Kid Shelleen, Clay Boone, and Jed, she sets out to avenge her father’s death and bring justice to Wolf City.

Train Robbery and a New Path

To fund their fight against the Wolf City Development Corporation, Cat and her gang rob a train, using Kid Shelleen’s dime novel as their guide. This act solidifies their status as outlaws and sets them on a collision course with Sir Harry Percival, the owner of the Wolf City Development Corporation. The train robbery is a success, but forces Cat and her gang to become fugitives.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Cat Ballou (Jane Fonda): A schoolteacher turned outlaw seeks revenge for her father’s murder.
• Kid Shelleen (Lee Marvin): A once-famous, now alcoholic gunslinger hired to protect Cat, who rediscovers his skill.
• Tim Strawn (Lee Marvin): A ruthless, silver-nosed hired gun and Kid Shelleen’s evil twin brother, working for the railroad.
• Clay Boone (Michael Callan): An escaped convict and reluctant outlaw who becomes Cat’s love interest.
• Jackson Two-Bears (Tom Nardini): Frankie Ballou’s loyal, philosophical Native American ranch hand who supports Cat’s quest.
• Jed (Dwayne Hickman): Clay’s uncle and partner in crime, a fake preacher who reluctantly aids Cat.
• Sir Harry Percival (Reginald Denny): The wealthy and ruthless owner of Wolf City Development who seeks to control the water rights.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cat Ballou: “Some gang! An Indian ranch hand, a drunken gunfighter, a sex maniac, and an uncle!” – Cat expresses her disbelief and amusement at the motley crew that has become her gang.
• Kid Shelleen: “What’s wrong with my eyes?” – Kid Shelleen, in his drunken stupor, responds to Jackson Two-Bears’ observation about his bloodshot eyes.
• Kid Shelleen: “You ought to see ’em from my side.” – Kid Shelleen explains that even though Jackson can see he’s drunk, his perspective is worse.
• Cat Ballou: “Let’s get on with it” – Catherine ‘Cat’ Ballou said with determination for her to face her punishment.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3.5 million
• Domestic Gross: $20.7 million
• Worldwide Gross: $20.7 million

💥 Cat Ballou Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved “Cat Ballou”! It’s such a fun and quirky movie. Lee Marvin’s performance is hilarious, and Jane Fonda is fantastic as the schoolteacher-turned-outlaw. The songs are so catchy, I couldn’t stop singing them for days. The scene where Kid Shelleen is trying to sober up is pure genius! This movie made me laugh, cry, and cheer – a true classic.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Westerns”
  • “Viewers who enjoy comedic spoofs”
  • “Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin fans”
  • “Anyone looking for a lighthearted, entertaining movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (gunfights)”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Alcohol use”
  • “Some suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A rollicking, rambunctious western spoof that succeeds largely on the strength of Lee Marvin’s dual performance. The film’s self-aware humor and catchy musical interludes make for an enjoyable experience, though some of the comedic elements feel dated by modern standards.
• Variety: “Marvin dominates this western spoof, earning an Oscar for his role as both the heroic (though drunk) Kid Shelleen and the villainous Tim Strawn. Fonda is charming and the supporting cast elevates the already fun experience. An easy-to-enjoy film for audiences of all tastes.
• RogerEbert.com: “”Cat Ballou” is a delightful, self-aware western comedy that benefits greatly from Lee Marvin’s Oscar-winning performance. While the film’s humor may not appeal to all modern viewers, its unique charm, memorable songs, and Jane Fonda’s captivating screen presence make it a classic worth revisiting.

Audience Reactions

Lee Marvin’s drunk act as Kid Shelleen is unbelievably funny and memorable.: Audiences consistently praise Lee Marvin’s performance, calling it the highlight of the film and well-deserving of the Oscar.

The film’s blend of western themes with comedy is both refreshing and engaging.: Viewers appreciate the lighthearted approach to the western genre, finding the film to be a refreshing and entertaining departure from more serious westerns.

Overall Consensus: “Cat Ballou” is a well-regarded western comedy, particularly praised for Lee Marvin’s performance, though some find the humor dated. It remains a beloved classic for its unique charm and blend of genres.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Actor)- 1966

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Lee Marvin won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his dual role as Kid Shelleen and Tim Strawn. It was a surprise win, as Rod Steiger was favored for ‘The Pawnbroker’.”
• “Nat ‘King’ Cole was suffering from lung cancer during filming and passed away a few months before the film’s release. His performance as one of the balladeers was one of his last.”
• “The film’s comedic tone was a departure from the original novel, which was a more serious Western. This change was a deliberate choice to broaden the film’s appeal.”

🖥️ How to Watch Cat Ballou?

As a classic film, ‘Cat Ballou’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for potential broadcast schedules on channels like Turner Classic Movies. Unfortunately, there is no streaming platform which includes the movie as part of their monthly service.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cat Ballou, you might like these similar films:

• Blazing Saddles (1974): A satirical Western comedy with over-the-top humor and a self-aware approach to the genre.
• True Grit (1969): Another Western where a young woman seeks justice with the help of a grizzled, unconventional lawman, though with a more serious tone.
• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969): Captures the spirit of the Old West and the changing times with a focus on charismatic outlaws, blending action and humor.
• The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018): An anthology film that uses dark humor and unique storytelling to explore the myths and realities of the Wild West.

🛒 Cat Ballou Related Products

• Cat Ballou [Blu-ray]: Own the classic western comedy on Blu-ray for enhanced viewing quality and special features including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Cat Ballou Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original theatrical poster, capturing the film’s iconic imagery and star power. Perfect for framing and displaying in your home theater or office.
• Lee Marvin: Point Blank [Biography]: Explore the life and career of Lee Marvin, delving into his iconic roles and the story behind his Oscar-winning performance in ‘Cat Ballou’.
• Western Movie Classics Collection (DVD): A collection of essential western films, potentially including “Cat Ballou,” offering a broader selection of classic westerns.

🎧 Soundtrack

Cat Ballou features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Ballad of Cat Ballou” – performed by Nat ‘King’ Cole & Stubby Kaye
• “They’ll Never Make Me Cry” – performed by Nat ‘King’ Cole

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Drunken Horse Act

Remember that hilariously drunk horse from Cat Ballou? This short clip shows how they trained the horse to do that, and honestly, it’s even funnier knowing the work that went into it!

What caused LEE MARVIN and JANE FONDA to HATE EACH OTHER on the set of 1965’s “CAT BALLOU”!

Ever wonder if the actors got along while filming Cat Ballou? Turns out, Lee Marvin’s antics might not have been appreciated by everyone, especially Jane Fonda! This video dives into the potential drama behind the scenes.

Lee Marvin Wins Best Actor: 1966 Oscars

See the moment Lee Marvin won his Oscar for Cat Ballou! It’s a short clip of his acceptance speech, and it’s really cool to see how much the award meant to him.

Lee Marvin on Winning At The Oscars | The Dick Cavett Show

Want to hear Lee Marvin talk about winning his Oscar for Cat Ballou? In this Dick Cavett interview, he shares some interesting thoughts on playing ‘bad guys’ and how he found inspiration!

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