Ray Stricklyn plays Jesse James, who rides of to join brother Frank as a member of Quantrill’s raiders after watching Union soldiers hang his father.
His stomach churns the first time he watches a man die, but he doesn’t hesitate the kill the soldier responsible for his father’s death, and soon his eagerness to shed blood concerns even his allies.
Jacklyn O’Donnell plays Zee Mimms, the woman who convinces Jesse to try to go straight twice to no avail.
Willard Parker is Cole Younger, the man whose conscience forces him to leave Quantrill, only to return to a life of thievery after carpetbaggers steal his family’s land.
He’s among those who aren’t enamored with the hot-headed youth named Jesse.
But when he needs men for his gang after the war, he takes on the youngster, a decision he’s bound to regret.
Review:
A fine and tormented performance by Stricklyn and the presence of several veteran Western stars — Robert Dix, Emile Meyer and Willard Parker among them — help this film stand a notch above the standard B Western.
Claxton directs with a fervor that enlivens an oft-told story. There’s always some sort of tension brewing, especially when Cole and Jesse cross paths.
And while we’re throwing names of famous outlaws around, Merry Anders has a small role as Belle Starr, Cole’ girl.
Directed by:
William F. Claxton
Cast:
Ray Stricklyn … Jesse James
Willard Parker … Cole Younger
Merry Anders … Belle Starr
Robert Dix … Frank James
Emile Meyer … Quantrill
Jacklyn O’Donnell … Zee Mimms
Rayford Barnes … Pitts
Rex Holman … Zack
Bob Palmer … Bob Younger
Title tune: “Young Jesse James”
sung by Johnny O’Neill
Runtime: 73 min.
Memorable lines:
Quantrill, to Cole Younger and Frank James: “Looks like the whole family’s blowing up with patriotism. Jesse, here, wants to join us.”
Jesse, defending the killing of the man who hanged his father: “This was more important.”
Cole Younger: “Oh? To what? To winning? To the South? What do you think this is Jesse? Your own personal war?”
Belle Starr, after Jesse kisses her: “You impudent young colt. You aren’t even man enough to hold Cole Younger’s horse.”
Zee: “It’s all over, Jesse.”
Jesse: “Is it for us? Just because some general back East signs his name on a piece of paper? Does that wipe all the things the Jayhawks done? The robbings? The killings? Zee, there’s still a lot of scores to settle. War or no war.”
Cole Younger: “Hey, thought you were dead?”
Jesse: “You always said I was too mean to die.”
Cole: “Yeah, you and Charlie Quantrill. Only he made it. I guess he wasn’t as mean as you, Jesse.”
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