Hell’s Crossroads (1957)

Stephen McNally is Vic Rodell, a member of the James gang who’s wounded in a bank robbery gone wrong.

He reluctantly agrees to be taken to the Ford farm to recover. He’s reluctant because he once wanted to marry Paula Ford (Peggie Castle), but was ordered off the farm by her father.

When he arrives, he learns Paula has married and been widowed — she’s Paula Collins now — and that her father hasn’t changed his thinking.

But Vic’s affection for Paula is rekindled during his recovery, and he wonders if he just might have a future with her, especially if a Missouri amnesty bill is passed.

Then comes a new complication. Bob Ford, Paula’s brother, is arrested and a lynch mob hungry for justice against any member of the James gang plans to break him out of jail.

Vic contacts Jesse James and arranges to help Bob escape first, though they do so in just the nick of time.

Then the amnesty bill falters. But the governor is still willing to bargain with Vic and Bob — if one of them will capture Jesse James, dead or alive.

Vic wants no part of such a deal. He’s ridden with Jesse since the Civil War; Jesse has saved his life in the past.

Bob Ford has no such reservations. But even if Jesse is eliminated, Vic knows he won’t be in the clear.

The rest of the James gang is bound to want vengeance against anyone who had a hand in Jesse’s demise.

Review:

Non-descript black and white quickie, with very little to set it apart. It’s probably most notable for providing a young Robert Vaughn with his first credited film role in the part of Bob Ford.

As Vic Rodell, Stephen McNally is portrayed as a bad man who’s not really bad. There’s no record of him killing anyone, according to the Missouri governor. He just rides along on holdups where others get killed.

Vic sure does his best to plug a citizen or two in the holdup that opens the film. Guess he must be a pretty bad shot.

More puzzling is the role of Paula Collins. Her deceased husband was a bank teller, killed during a holdup by the James gang. Yet she welcomes Vic back with open arms?

Directed by:
Franklin Adreon

Cast:
Stephen McNally … Vic Rodell
Peggie Castle … Paula Collins
Robert Vaughn … Bob Ford
Harry Shannon … Clay Ford
Henry Brandon … Jesse James
Douglas Kennedy … Frank James
Grant Withers … Sheriff Steve Oliver
Barton MacLane … Pinkerton Agent O’Connell
Frank Wilcox … Missouri Governor
Myron Healey … Cole Younger
Jean Howell … Mrs. Jesse James
Morris Ankrum … Wheeler

Runtime: 73 min.

Memorable lines:

Vic Rodell: “We had everything figured out. So fool-proof. Then a bunch of people slip out of church on a nice quiet Sunday morning and almost beat the living daylights out of us. Kind of makes a man stop and think.”
Jesse James: “You listen to a word of advice, Vic. A man in our business has to keep on the go. You stop and think, and you’re liable to wake up and find yourself dead.”

Jesse James: “Zee, speaking of Santa Claus, how’d it be if I borrowed that suit from the church party, wear it when we open presents tomorrow. Bet with all those white whiskers on my face, my own children wouldn’t recognize me. What do you think, Zee?”
Zee: “Well, it’s a fine idea, ‘cept for one thing. You promised the children you’d be here yourself this Christmas. How can you be pappa and Santa Claus at the same time.”
Jesse, to Bob Ford: “Well, I guess she settled that for me.”

Paula: “I knew how you felt about Jesse James. You don’t think I’d gamble with our future?”
Vic Rodell: “You gambled and you lost. Our future’s dead, Paula. For that matter, I’ll soon be dead myself. So will your brother.”
Paula: “Vic, what do you mean by that?”
Vic: “The only reason your brother and I won our freedom is because he killed Jesse James. Jesse’s got friends. Don’t you think they can read? I’m more hunted now than I ever was. They’ll all be gunning for me now, thanks to you.”

Frank Wilcox as Gov. Crittenden, explaining how he’ll offer amnesty in return for Jesse James in Hell’s Crossroads (1957)

Myron Healy as Cole Younger and Henry Brandon as Jesse James, checking out the streets of Rayville prior to a jailbreak in Hell’s Crossroads (1957)