Jesse James

Jesse James, notorious train and bank bandit of the late 19th century, and an important figure in the history of the midwest frontier, gets a drastic bleaching in this film made in 1939. Script by Nunnally Johnson is an excellent chore, nicely mixing human interest, dramatic suspense, romance and fine characterizations for great entertainmet. Tyrone Power capably carries the title spot, but is pressed by Henry Fonda as his brother. The story follows historical fact close enough with allownace for dramatic license, hitting sidelights of James in his brushes with the law. The initial train holdup is vividly presented, with all other robberies left to imagination. The picture starts with a foreword on the ruthless manner in which railroads acquired farms for right-of-way through the midwest.