I Shot Jesse James

I Shot Jesse James is a 1949 American western film directed by Samuel Fuller about the murder of Jesse James by Robert Ford and Robert Ford's life afterwards. The story is built around a fictional rivalry between Ford and his eventual killer Edward Kelley (called John in the film) over a woman. "I Shot Jesse James" is Samuel Fuller's first movie, and stars Reed Hadley as Jesse James and John Ireland as Bob Ford.
The film was released on video by the Criterion Collection's Eclipse imprint together with "The Baron of Arizona" and "The Steel Helmet".
Plot.
Bob Ford of the Jesse James gang is wounded during a bank robbery. He mends at Jesse's home in Missouri for six months, although Jesse's wife Zee doesn't trust him.
Cynthy Waters, an actress Bob is in love with, comes to town to perform on stage. Bob catches her speaking with John Kelley, a prospector, and is jealous. He knows that Cynthy wants to get married and settle down.
In need of money, Bob hears of the governor's $10,000 reward for Jesse. He betrays his friend, shooting Jesse in the back. Bob is pardoned by the governor but receives a reward for just $500.
He spends the money on an engagement ring. Harry Kane, who manages Cynthy's career, books Bob for stage appearances in which he re-enacts the shooting of Jesse. He is booed by audiences and mocked in public for his cowardly deed.
Bob goes to Colorado to try prospecting and runs into Kelley, who is rejecting offers to become Creede's town marshal. Bob wakes up one day to find both Kelley and the engagement ring missing. Cynthy arrives just as Kelley returns, having captured the ring's thief. Kelley is disappointed when Cynthy accepts Bob's proposal, so he accepts the job as marshal.
Frank James, brother of Jesse, overhears a conversation in which Cynthy confides to Kelley that he's the one she truly loves. Frank makes sure that Bob learns of this, knowing Bob will make the fatal mistake of confronting Kelley face to face. In the street, Bob draws on Kelley and is shot dead. Kelley gets the girl and Frank avenges his brother's death.
Production.
Sam Fuller was a writer who wanted to direct. He offered Robert L. Lippert a script for a low price if he could direct as well. Fuller's directing fee was a reported $5,000.
Filming started 25 October 1948.
Release.
The film premiered in St Joseph, where Bob Ford shot Jesse James.
Reception.
Robert L. Lippert sold the film's international rights for a flat $200,000.
The film reportedly earned Lippert over half a million dollars in profits and was the movie that took his career to the next level in Hollywood.
Lippert was so pleased with the film he signed Carl Hittleman to produce five more films: "Grand Canyon", "Park Row", "The Baron of Arizona", an adaptation of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and "The Ghost of Jesse James"; "Park Row", "Baron" and "Leagues" were to be directed by Sam Fuller. Fuller did make "Baron" for Lippert but did "Park Row" for another producer. "Ghost of Jesse James" became "The Return of Frank James". Hitleman eventually signed a contract with Universal.