Customer Reviews

The Return of Frank James [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In 1940, Darryl Zanuck gave Fritz Lang the opportunity to shoot his first Western - a sequel to director Henry King's "Jesse James" (1939). When asked why he allowed Lang to make a Western, the Fox producer responded: "Because he'll see things we don't." Lang's attention to detail and atmosphere dominates this unusual tale of revenge. "The Return of Frank James" also marks a cinematic advance for the German director in his vivid use of Technicolor and location photography. An impressive highlight is the chase through the High Sierras - a spectacular action sequence that reveals Lang's expressionist design in his use of architectural rock formations. "The Return of Frank James" has a look and feel unlike any Western of the period. In some respects, it can be considered the first "Western noir." Henry Fonda delivers a memorable performance in the title role, with good support from Henry Hull, John Carradine and Jackie Cooper.

If you have ever seen the Tyrone Power movie of Jesse James, this is a must. If you have not seen it, this is still a great movie. The film picks up where the first ended and runs from there. Henry Fonda is simply great as the slow talking but extremely wily Frank James. much of the cast carries over into this sequel with is seamless in production. It was very well written and beautifully filmed. This is a good one to watch. Better yet, get both and watch them together. It will be a hoot.

This movie is much better than what the other reviewers would have you believe. While it is a sequel, it stands on its own as sort of a revenge flick with Frank (Henry Fonda) terrorizing and delivering retribution to John Carradine's Robert Ford, the man who shot Jesse James. It is also the screen debut of the beautiful Gene Tierney. Compared to the special effects laden trash spewn out by Hollywood today, this has excellent characterization, excellent plot and excellent acting. It is definitely worth the price of admission. Fritz Lang did a great job of depicting his vision of the Old West and while it may not be the greatest Lang film such as his 1931 classic, M, it is still a classic nonetheless.

Frank James learns his infamous outlaw brother Jesse has been shot dead in the back by the cowardly Ford brothers. The peaceable and laconic Frank at first doesn't seek revenge, deciding instead to leave the killers' capture and punishment to the law. Bob and Charlie Ford are summarily caught and found guilty, but are pardoned immediately by the governor. So Frank picks up his guns and goes a-hunting for the murdering varmints. The film follows his relentless quest to bring his brother's murderers to justice. Along the way, he fends for his foolhardy young charge Clem and strikes a friendship with the beautiful Eleanor Stone, would-be reporter of the Star. After a lot of absorbing exposition and some action, the film culminates in the spirited trial of Frank James, on charges of murder and robbery.

The quite mythical story of the James brothers is comprised of two excellent films: Jesse James (1938) and The Return of Frank James (1939). In Jesse James, Tyrone Power does a fiery, charismatic turn as the lead character, eschewing the feared outlaw persona and remaking him instead into a misunderstood folk hero. Lanky Henry Fonda adeptly plays his more level-headed brother, Frank. Reviews must have been good for Fonda because he merits his own sequel here. Fonda's calm, thoughtful, folksy persona is in full evidence, his acting as reliably good as ever. The sequence where Frank shows up at a play showcasing the Fords' interpretation of Jesse James' death is a gem. The look on Fonda's face as this travesty was being re-enacted by the Ford brothers themselves is chilling and displays prominently his ability to plumb the depths of a darker, more bleak persona. Gene Tierney, in her first movie, is fresh-faced and eager, and is loveliness personified. I only wish that a romance would've blossomed between her Eleanor Stone and Frank James. But, apparently, the studio feared a lawsuit by Frank's widow or son. A mention must be made of John Carradine, who makes an aptly despicable Bob Ford, the dirty rat.

This classic western, ably directed by Fritz Lang, may be too leisurely at times for die-hard, shoot-em-up fans. Where gunfire is usually exchanged, we have instead an investment in story and character. But, of course, good stories and characters are synonymous with the iconic Henry Fonda.

This sequal to Jesse James bring back a number of castmembers from that film. Henry Fonda gets the chance to be the star here. He does a fine job as Frank James, making viewers care for him and understand his need for revenge. Very good color transfer. If you are a fan of old westerns this one is a worthy addition to your collection

Fritz Lang's "The Return of Frank James" is best-viewed as a warm-up exercise for "Rancho Notorious." As a tale of "hate, murder and revenge" it falls flat because Henry Fonda is too nice a guy to be a genuine outlaw and the infrequently-glimpsed John Carradine is not nearly a ferocious-enough villain as Bob Ford. (By contrast, Barton MacLaine's evil progress-hating brother in Lang's "Western Union" gave good brother Randolph Scott a worthy adversary to overcome.) "The Return of Frank James" is beautiful to look at, but it gives the sense of being a mere appendage to Henry King's earlier romantic celebration of the James Brothers, "Jesse James." Characters from the King film are retained or dropped randomly. Thus Donald Meek's cowardly sneak of a railroad baron returns, while Randolph Scott's virtuous lawman does not, and Henry Hull's cantankerous newspaper editor becomes a cantankerous country lawyer. I don't dislike "The Return of Frank James," I just wish it were a better film than it is. As it stands, it is definitely the weakest of Lang's three westerns.

20th Century Fox presents "THE RETURN OF FRANK JAMES" (1940) ~ (92 min/Color) ~ Starring: Henry Fonda, Gene Tierney, Jackie Cooper, Henry Hull, John Carradine & Donald Meek

Directed by Fritz Lang

This Technicolor sequel to Jesse James (1939) does without the services of the earlier film's star Tyrone Power, who after all was shot dead by that "dirty little coward" Bob Ford (John Carradine). Repeating his portrayal of western outlaw Frank James is Henry Fonda who has retired from his life of crime to become a peaceful farmer, though he has never given up his search for the treacherous Ford. The killer and his cohorts are eventually rounded up, but are pardoned due to political intervention. That's when Frank slaps on six-guns once more to seek his own form of justice. Featured in the cast is Henry Hull as Major Rufus Cobb, a crusading newspaperman and Jackie Cooper is Clem, the headstrong young sprout whom Frank has taken under his wing. Making her screen debut is Gene Tierney as Eleanor Stone a reporter from the East who wants to tell Frank's true story to the world.

Special footnote: ~ The studio bought the rights to the James Brothers but changed the facts for entertainment. Although Frank surrendered 6 months after Jesse James' murder, both Ford brothers were already dead and Frank had nothing to do with their deaths ~ The original treatment had Frank romantically interested in the reporter played by Gene Tierney, but the studio became fearful of a possible lawsuit by Frank's widow and/or son, so it was eliminated from the script.

BIOS:
1. Fritz Lang [Director]
Date of Birth: 5 December 1890 - Vienna, Austria-Hungary [now Austria]
Date of Death: 2 August 1976 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California

2. Henry Fonda [aka: Henry Jaynes Fonda]
Date of Birth: 16 May 1905 - Grand Island, Nebraska
Date of Death: 12 August 1982 - Los Angeles, California

3. Gene Tierney
Date of Birth: 19 November 1920 - Brooklyn, New York
Date of Death: 6 November 1991 - Houston, Texas

4. Jackie Cooper
Date of Birth: 15 September 1922 - Los Angeles, California
Date of Death: 3 May 2011 - Santa Monica, California

5. Henry Hull
Date of Birth: 3 October 1890 - Louisville, Kentucky
Date of Death: 8 March 1977 - Cornwall, England, UK

6. John Carradine
Date of Birth: 5 February 1906 - New York City, New York, USA
Date of Death: 27 November 1988 - Milan, Italy

7. Donald Meek
Date of Birth: 14 July 1878 - Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Date of Death: 18 November 1946 - Los Angeles, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 92 min on DVD ~ 20th Century Fox ~ (March 6, 2007)

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Jesse James's brother avenges his murder. Producer Daryl F. Zanuck shocked the Hollywood community when he chose, off all people, Fritz Lang, the German director to make this sequel to the immensely popular 1939 film JESSE JAMES. It was a mixed bouquet of wild flowers: moody, at times too cutesy but very nicely photographed. Otis Ferguson once quipped: "I doubt if any character was ever as lily white as that of Frank James here, but that is a present form the Hays Office to you, and anyway the part is played by Henry Fonda. Durn if I don't like that boy". Cooper and especially John Carradine are fine in their performances. Hull's hammy playings is shown to advantage here, and Gene Tierney, although beautiful here, she clearly is not in her element as Eleanor Stone. Though Lang studied the American west by traveling and actually living among Navaho Indians, the whitewashed script defeats the director's attempt at successfully filming the destructive consequences of revenge. Henry Fonda was not wanting to work with Lang again after his tyrannical behaviour during the making of YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE three year priorly. When Lang promised to change his attitude, Hank relented. Bad mistake. The same fire exploded on the set and Fonda never worked with Lang again.

I thought it was an excellent sequel to the first movie.
Henry Fonda was excellent as Frank James.