| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Jane Fonda | ... | ||
| Lee Marvin | ... |
Shelleen--Strawn
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| Michael Callan | ... | ||
| Dwayne Hickman | ... |
Jed
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| Nat 'King' Cole | ... |
Shouter /
Sunrise Kid
(as Nat King Cole)
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Stubby Kaye | ... |
Shouter /
Sam the Shade
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Tom Nardini | ... | |
| John Marley | ... | ||
| Reginald Denny | ... | ||
| Jay C. Flippen | ... |
Sheriff Cardigan
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| Arthur Hunnicutt | ... | ||
| Bruce Cabot | ... |
Sheriff Maledon
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| Burt Mustin | ... |
Accuser
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Paul Gilbert | ... |
Train Messenger
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Cat(herine) Ballou's family farm is being threatened by the Rail Road. She sends for Kid Shelleen, finding him to be the drunkest gunfighter in the west. When her father is killed by the rail road magnate's gunman, she vowes to fight on. Shelleen manages to ride sideways in several scenes, while minstrels sing the ballad of Cat Ballou in between scenes. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
I watched Cat Ballou again the other day after a gap of over 35 years. A spoof western, definitely. That Lee Marvin should not have won the Oscar? No way. It is far more difficult to carry off a role in what is obviously a pastiche than to excel in a serious dramatic part. Lee Marvin plays it to perfection. Watch his face in the bar scene in the hole in the wall, desperately trying to catch the moment to propose a toast - "I'll drink to that!". It's brilliant. This film has to be watched in the context of its time. It is no good trying to compare it to today's special effects dominated blockbusters or Pixar animations. The semi-musical format was innovative, and remains so today. Cat Ballou is a perfect example of 60's "cool".