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Cat Ballou Overview:

Cat Ballou (1965) was a Comedy - Musical Film directed by Elliot Silverstein and produced by Harold Hecht and Mitch Lindemann.

The film was based on the novel The Ballad of Cat Ballou: A Lusty, Picaresque Novel of Old Wyoming written by Roy Chanslor published in 1956.

Academy Awards 1965 --- Ceremony Number 38 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorLee MarvinWon
Best Film EditingCharles NelsonNominated
Best Music - ScoringDeVolNominated
Best Music - SongMusic by Jerry Livingston; Lyrics by Mack DavidNominated
Best WritingWalter Newman, Frank R. PiersonNominated
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Cat Ballou BlogHub Articles:

Cat Ballou (1965)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Aug 31, 2022 From 4 Star Films

When the Columbia statue whips off her toga and comes out with western wear and six shooters, the movie’s intentions are made quite clear. And if that’s not enough Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye appear on the scene, decked out, strumming their banjos. They become the accompanying bards re... Read full article

Cat Ballou (1965)

By Beatrice on Aug 30, 2018 From Flickers in Time

Cat Ballou Directed by Elliot Silverstein Walter Newman and Frank Pierson from a novel by Roy Chanslor 1965/USA Columbia Pictures Corporation/Harold Hecht Productions Repeat viewing/Netflix rental Not as funny as when I saw it as a kid but it still has its moments, most of them provided by Lee Marvi... Read full article

Classic Films in Focus: CAT BALLOU (1965)

By Jennifer Garlen on Apr 7, 2014 From Virtual Virago

Director Elliot Silverstein’s 1965 Western comedy turned out to be an important moment in movie history, and not only because Cat Ballou became a box office hit and made Jane Fonda a star. It would provide Lee Marvin with the only Oscar of his exceptional career, and it would be the final scre... Read full article

Classic Films in Focus: CAT BALLOU (1965)

By Jennifer Garlen on Apr 7, 2014 From Virtual Virago

Director Elliot Silverstein’s 1965 Western comedy turned out to be an important moment in movie history, and not only because Cat Ballou became a box office hit and made Jane Fonda a star. It would provide Lee Marvin with the only Oscar of his exceptional career, and it would be the final scre... Read full article

Classic Films in Focus: CAT BALLOU (1965)

By Jennifer Garlen on Apr 7, 2014 From Virtual Virago

Director Elliot Silverstein’s 1965 Western comedy turned out to be an important moment in movie history, and not only because Cat Ballou became a box office hit and made Jane Fonda a star. It would provide Lee Marvin with the only Oscar of his exceptional career, and it would be the final scre... Read full article

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Cat Ballou Quotes:

Cat: You won't make me cry. You'll never make me cry!
Frankie Ballou: You'd like a drink better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stub, wouldn't you?
Cat: Oh, look at that: a painting on the ceiling!
Sir Harry Percival: Oh, yes. That's a Tintoretto.
Cat: I'll say it is.
Clay Boone: I've never seen a man get through a day so fast.
Jed: Build you life anew, ma'am. This studyin' on revenge is just turnin' your back on the future and lettin' the dead past eat at your heart.
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Cat Ballou Facts
Kirk Douglas turned down the role of Shaleen. Jack Palance desperately wanted the role but was never offered it.
The film's horse trainer told Elliot Silverstein that the scene where a horse leans against a wall with its front legs crossed could not be shot because horses don't cross their legs, then that it might be possible if he had a couple of days. Silverstein invoked his rank as director and gave him an hour. The trainer plied the horse with sugar cubes while repeatedly pushing its leg into position, and they were able to get the shot.
Like several other Columbia releases of the 1960s (i.e., Bye Bye Birdie, Strait-Jacket), this film includes a spoof of the studio logo, in this case with the Torch Lady doffing her robes in animation and turning into a cartoon cowgirl.
This film inspired NBC to make two different pilots which aired on consecutive days in 1971. One pilot starred Lesley Ann Warren, and the other, Forrest Tucker.
When filming the scene where Kid Shaleen takes a bath and dons his costume, director Elliot Silverstein had all actions timed to the beat of a metronome, its pace increasing when Shaleen takes his guns. He planned to have the scene scored with Spanish guitars following this beat, but the producer was adamantly opposed to anything Spanish in a Western. In the end electric, guitars were used.
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