Days of Jesse James

Days of Jesse James (1939)

*** (out of 4)

A bank is robbed and Jesse James and his gang are accused of pulling off the heist. Special agent Roy Rogers thinks that James' bad reputation is getting him blamed for crimes that he didn't do so he joins the gang to try and find out what really happened. Of course, the real villain is the bank owner did the crime knowing he wouldn't be a suspect. DAYS OF JESSE JAMES was just one of many "historical" films that Rogers made during this period but if you're expecting some sort of documentary on the real history of James then you're going to be disappointed. All of these films obviously just used these historical names for marquee value so one should just expect entertainment and nothing else. This here is a pretty good one thanks in large part to the terrific cast. As you'd expect, Rogers is very good in the role of the good guy but then again I don't think he could be bad at pretty much playing himself. We have George 'Gabby' Hayes playing his sidekick so obviously you're in for a lot of good comic relief. Pauline Moore, one of my favorite love interests for Rogers, is also very good in her part as she has a lot of nice chemistry with the star. Don Barry does a nice job as well as Jesse James. Fans of Universal horror films will enjoy seeing Glenn Strange in a small role. With a short running time, fast action and a nice story, this here certainly won't be mistaken for a masterpiece or some sort of classic but fans of Rogers and "B" Westerns should at least be entertained by this.

Let's set the record straight. Jesse James was a slime-ball. He, his brother and their gang were thieves and murderers--there's simply no doubt about it. However, inexplicably, these folks (particularly Jesse) have been portrayed a bazillion times in movies as nice guys. Well, I have news for the filmmakers--nice folks don't murder people and steal! So, when I see films like "Days of Jesse James", the history teacher in me (yes, I taught US History) cringes. That reason alone is why I wouldn't recommend the film. However, there is one other reason--it's a pretty dull movie as well.

Jesse James is played by Red Barry of the Red Ryder series fame and while he's not as important a character in the story, Cole Youngeris played by Glenn Strange who later played Frankenstein in several Universal films (such as "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein"). This is pretty interesting, though Strange did appear in lots of westerns.

The film begins with Gabby and his daughter heading to the city to put his fortune in the bank and settle down to a life of retirement. However, soon after, the bank is robbed and his money is stolen. At the same time, Roy Rogers (once again playing himself, of sorts) arrives in town to investigate some robberies attributed to James. Rogers thinks James isn't that bad a guy and isn't sure whether many of the crimes were really perpetrated by James or his friends. And, to find this out, he and Gabby infiltrate the gang.

The plot is pretty predictable--even for a Roy Rogers film. It lacks any sort of twist and the film is certainly not among his best. Oddly, Rogers also made a film that involved Billy the Kid--and it wasn't so inaccurate and was quite entertaining. This one, however, just seems pretty ordinary--at best. Even the songs are pretty flat.

Inspired no doubt by the success of Fox's Technicolor saga, JESSE JAMES (1939), Republic Pictures cranked out DAYS OF JESSE JAMES (1939) which turned the Jesse story into a vehicle for Roy Rogers at a time when the actor was specializing in historical westerns with a minimum of songs (BILLY THE KID RETURNS, YOUNG BUFFALO BILL, YOUNG BILL HICKOK, etc.). As a result, poor Jesse gets short shrift here, functioning as a red herring in a standard B-western tale of a corrupt banker robbing his own bank and blaming it on the James gang.

Roy Rogers stars as Roy Rogers, a freelance peace officer hired by the Bankers' Association to track down the stolen money, a mission which compels him to go undercover and masquerade as an ex-con to join the James gang. Complicating matters is the presence of a corrupt railroad detective (Harry Woods) seeking to use Rogers' efforts to get the reward money for himself. Gabby Hayes plays Gabby Whitaker, a former California miner whose savings were stolen from the bank and who tags along with Roy. Gabby's granddaughter Mary, played by Pauline Moore, provides the female love interest. Donald Barry plays Jesse James and Glenn Strange (a future Frankenstein monster over at Universal Pictures) shows up briefly as Cole Younger.

The film follows the lead of the Fox hit (which starred Tyrone Power in the role) in whitewashing the reputation of the famed outlaw. Jesse is let off the hook pretty easily and is played by Barry as a fairly conscientious fellow although he does try to rob a bank at one point. In general, the film takes a pretty casual view of the rule of law. Roy commits crime in the course of the film--all in the aim of solving the bank robbery, of course--but suffers no consequence. Even the Missouri sheriff (Fred Burns) working with Roy gets into the act, at one point entering a man's home looking for "outlaws" Roy and Gabby. When the homeowner asks to see a warrant, the sheriff thrusts his pistol at him and declares, "This is all the search warrant I need."

Despite the potential for suspense and conflict, there is far less action here than usual for a Rogers western of this period and far too much talk. Barry does a good, quick turn as Jesse, a role he would play again 15 years later in an even lower budgeted western, JESSE JAMES' WOMEN (1954), which he also directed. (As Don "Red" Barry, the actor achieved some success as a Republic Pictures B-western star in the early-to-mid 1940s.) The character of Jesse fared slightly better in a subsequent Rogers western, JESSE JAMES AT BAY (1941), in which Rogers himself played both a noble Jesse and a less-than-noble look-alike who commits crimes in Jesse's name.

A train ride in Missouri finds that Jesse James is more popular than President Grant for baby names. Kind of convenient for the real deal, Jesse James (Don 'Red' Barry) and his brother Frank (Harry Worth) to show up and rob the train. Gabby Hayes takes some bad advice from his granddaughter (Pauline Moore) to put the money in a bank run by crooked banker (Arthur Loft). Things heat up fast as Roy Rogers is assigned as detective and meets up with the all-time greatest villain Harry Woods. Some great scenes in this one especially when Trigger on command throws Rogers from his horse and every scene with the gorgeous and talented Pauline Moore was a sight to behold. Also great performances from Wade Boteler, Ethel Wales, Glenn Strange, Olin Howland and childhood star Scotty Beckett.

Roy Rogers (as Roy Rogers) is out to get Red Barry (as Jesse James), whom he believes has robbed a bank - now, who'd believe Jesse James has robbed a bank? George "Gabby" Hayes (as Gabby) is along for the ride as Mr. Rogers' loyal sidekick. To set things right, Rogers becomes a temporary member of the "James Gang".

The film raises interesting questions about heroes and villains, but none of it is particularly unique. Rogers saving Scotty Beckett (as Buster) from a burning building, and a fast-moving posse, are the excitement highlights. Among the songs, Rogers' "Echo Mountain" is terrific; it's played a couple of times, and would have made a good title song (for a different film). With all that, "Days of Jesse James" is a fairly routine Rogers western.

**** Days of Jesse James (12/20/39) Joseph Kane ~ Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Don 'Red' Barry