The Return of Frank James (1940)
- Starring:
- Henry Fonda, Gene Tierney, (more)
- Director(s):
- Fritz Lang
- Category:
- Westerns
Member Rating
My RatingTheatrical Release Information | See Details About All Versions
This Technicolor sequel to 1939's Jesse James 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, Henry Fonda is promoted to top billing here. As depicted by scenarist Sam Hellman, Frank 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 a top-of-his-lungs crusading newspaperman and Jackie Cooper as a headstrong young sprout who pays the ultimate price for his bullheadedness. Making her screen debut is Gene Tierney, in the role of an Eastern reporter who wants to tell Frank's true story to the world. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 93 mins
Complete Cast:
- Henry Fonda - Ben Woodson
- Gene Tierney - Eleanor Stone
- John Carradine - Bob Ford
- J. Edward Bromberg - Runyon
- Eddie Collins - Station Agent at Eldora
- Ernest Whitman - Pinky Washington
- Lloyd Corrigan - Randolph Stone
- Victor Kilian - Preacher
- George Chandler - Boy
- Frank Shannon - Sheriff Daniels
- Louis Mason - Wilson, the Watchman
- Frank Sully - Pappy the Old Actor
- Matthew "Stymie" Beard - Mose, the Bellboy
- Kernan Cripps - Deputy
- Edmund Elton - Jury Foreman
- Lillian Yarbo - Maid
- Russell Powell - Juror
- Hattie Noel - Chambermaid
- Adrian Morris - Detective
- Lew Meehan - Bailiff
- Kermit Maynard - Courtroom Extra
- Budd Fine - Deputy
- Sherry Hall - Court Clerk
- Henry Fonda - Frank James
- Jackie Cooper - Clem/Tom Grayson
- Henry Hull - Maj. Rufus Cobb
- Donald Meek - McCoy
- George Barbier - The Judge
- Charles Tannen - Charles Ford
- Russell Hicks - Prosecutor
- Edward McWade - Col. Fentridge Jackson
- Irving Bacon - Man at Wagon Sale
- Barbara Pepper - Nellie Blane
- William Pawley - "Jesse James" Actor
- Davison Clark - Officer
- Arthur Byron - Engineer
- Lester Dorr - Reporter
- Bob Battier - "Frank James" Actor
- Dale Van Sickel - Reporter
- Lee Phelps - Bartender
- James C. Morton - Bartender
- Frank Melton - Reporter
- Bob McKenzie - Old Man on Rocker
- Milt Kibbee - Reporter
- Almeda Fowler - Mrs. Edna Stone
- Director(s):
- Fritz Lang
- Writer(s):
- Sam Hellman
- Producer(s):
- Darryl F. Zanuck, Kenneth MacGowan
- Categories:
- Westerns
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1940 - The Return of Frank James - National Board of Review - Best Acting
