Cat Ballou (1965)
A sharp, funny Western comedy where a revenge-seeking woman hires the most gloriously useless gunfighter in the frontier.
Cat Ballou - Movie Information
- Original Title: Cat Ballou
- Release Year: 1965
- Directed by: Elliot Silverstein
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Western, Comedy
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 37m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 24, 1965 (Denmark - 15), June 24, 1965 (United States - NR), September 6, 1965 (United Kingdom - PG), October 7, 1971 (Germany - 12), September 8, 1965 (France - U), October 8, 1965 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: A mulher felina (PT), Cat Ballou – Hängen sollst Du in Wyoming (DE)
- Production Companies: Harold Hecht Productions, Columbia Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Cat Ballou - Plot
A woman seeking revenge for her murdered father hires a famous gunman, but he's very different from what she expects.
Cat Ballou - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the wild frontier fun for yourself:
It's That Way-Out Whopper Of A Funny Western...A She-Bang To End All She-Bangs!
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Cat Ballou - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Elliot Silverstein
Main Cast
- Jane Fonda
- Michael Callan
- Lee Marvin
- Dwayne Hickman
- Tom Nardini
- John Marley
- Nat King Cole
- Stubby Kaye
- Reginald Denny
- Jay C. Flippen
Writers
- Walter Newman
- Frank Pierson
Producers
- Harold Hecht
Cat Ballou - FAQs
What is Cat Ballou about?
Cat Ballou follows Catherine 'Cat' Ballou, a young woman who returns home to find her father's ranch threatened by ruthless land grabbers. After her father is murdered, she hires legendary gunfighter Kid Shelleen to help her seek justice — only to discover he's a hopeless, lovable drunk.
Did Lee Marvin win an Oscar for Cat Ballou?
Yes! Lee Marvin won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his dual role as the drunken gunfighter Kid Shelleen and the menacing villain Tim Strawn. It's one of the most celebrated comedic Oscar wins in Hollywood history, and Marvin's performance remains iconic to this day.
Where can you stream Cat Ballou?
You can watch Cat Ballou on IndieFlix or catch it for free with ads on Xumo Play and Plex Channel. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Spectrum On Demand offers it as a rental too.
What makes Cat Ballou a unique Western?
Cat Ballou brilliantly skewers Western genre conventions with sharp comedy and a female outlaw at its center. Its most distinctive touch is the Greek chorus-style narration delivered in song by Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye, who stroll through scenes commenting on the action like troubadours from a frontier ballad.
Who are the main cast members of Cat Ballou?
The film stars Jane Fonda as the spirited Cat Ballou and Lee Marvin in his Oscar-winning dual role. The supporting cast includes Michael Callan, Dwayne Hickman, Tom Nardini, John Marley, and the legendary Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye, who serve as the film's singing narrators.
Is Cat Ballou based on a book?
Yes, Cat Ballou is adapted from Roy Chanslor's 1956 novel of the same name. Screenwriters Walter Newman and Frank Pierson transformed the source material into a playful, genre-bending Western comedy that earned five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
How was Cat Ballou received by critics and audiences?
Cat Ballou was a major hit on both fronts. Critics praised its wit, Jane Fonda's charm, and Lee Marvin's scene-stealing performance. It became one of the top-grossing films of 1965, earning over $20 million at the box office, and earned five Oscar nominations including Best Adapted Screenplay.
What is the significance of Nat King Cole in Cat Ballou?
Cat Ballou was one of Nat King Cole's final film appearances before his death in February 1965, just months before the film's release. Alongside Stubby Kaye, he plays a wandering balladeer who narrates the story in song — a bittersweet and memorable farewell from one of music's greatest voices.
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