If you're renting The Return of Frank James, it's incredibly likely that you've already seen Jesse James. If you haven't, you've got to because the last minute of the movie is repeated at the start of the sequel (and it will be ruined if you don't know what it is).
So, all spoilers aside, Henry Fonda reprises his role as Jesse James's brother and is on the rampage intent on getting revenge on the Ford brothers (John Carradine and Charles Tannen). He leaves his farm, with his faithful servant (Ernest Whitman) and his young ward (Jackie Cooper) in search of the Ford brothers' last known whereabouts. Jackie is too rambunctious and eager to join in on the fun, and he chases after Hank. While in town, they meet up with their old pal, the hilarious newspaperman (Henry Hull) who made the indelible "shoot 'em down like dogs" speeches in the first movie. Henry's entrance in this one shows him in the back room of the office, dictating another of his famous speeches to his employee!
Gene Tierney made her film debut in this movie, and she's so adorable, it's no wonder she immediately rocketed to stardom. She plays a misguided, ambitious newspaper woman with a heart of gold. Her adorable little accent and her beautiful face (not to mention the period piece costumes she gets to wear) prove she could have been just as good cast as Scarlett O'Hara, if she'd been discovered a little earlier. What a doll! It's worth renting this movie just to see her, even if you're not a big Henry Fonda fan. Jackie Cooper fans probably won't like it though. I enjoyed the supporting cast and the very heartwarming ending.
So, all spoilers aside, Henry Fonda reprises his role as Jesse James's brother and is on the rampage intent on getting revenge on the Ford brothers (John Carradine and Charles Tannen). He leaves his farm, with his faithful servant (Ernest Whitman) and his young ward (Jackie Cooper) in search of the Ford brothers' last known whereabouts. Jackie is too rambunctious and eager to join in on the fun, and he chases after Hank. While in town, they meet up with their old pal, the hilarious newspaperman (Henry Hull) who made the indelible "shoot 'em down like dogs" speeches in the first movie. Henry's entrance in this one shows him in the back room of the office, dictating another of his famous speeches to his employee!
Gene Tierney made her film debut in this movie, and she's so adorable, it's no wonder she immediately rocketed to stardom. She plays a misguided, ambitious newspaper woman with a heart of gold. Her adorable little accent and her beautiful face (not to mention the period piece costumes she gets to wear) prove she could have been just as good cast as Scarlett O'Hara, if she'd been discovered a little earlier. What a doll! It's worth renting this movie just to see her, even if you're not a big Henry Fonda fan. Jackie Cooper fans probably won't like it though. I enjoyed the supporting cast and the very heartwarming ending.