Fools’ Parade (1971): Cast & Plot
Fools’ Parade is a 1971 drama thriller directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, starring James Stewart as Mattie Appleyard, Strother Martin and Kurt Russell. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Andrew V. McLaglen
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Fools’ Parade About?
The premise of Fools’ Parade without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1935, Glory, West Virginia, becomes a perilous place for three newly freed men. Led by Mattie Appleyard, the trio intends to use the money Mattie saved during his 40‑year sentence to open a general store. Their plan is fiercely opposed by a corrupt prison official and the local banker who issued Mattie's check, turning their fresh start into a fight for survival.
Fools’ Parade Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- west virginia
- depression era
- young prostitute
- houseboat
- henchman
- train depot
- train attendant
- state penitentiary
- removing one's eye
- year 1935
- hopping a freight train
- paycheck
+38 more Show fewer
- crooked prison guard
- crooked bank manager
- taking a bribe
- embezzlement
- pimp
- skiff
- woman in jeopardy
- reference to the daughters of the american revolution
- explosion
- period drama
- prison drama
- romantic subplot
- blood splatter
- shotgun
- attempted murder
- throwing dynamite
- dog fetches dynamite
- white shoe
- cashing a check
- bloodhound
- producer director
- framed for murder
- suicide bomber
- business partner
- stewart and kennedy
- locked in
- implied rape
- bank check
- release from prison
- attempted robbery
- man tracking dogs
- scent hound
- attempted swindle
- based on novel of the same name
- county courthouse
- train conductor
- crooked banker
- dynamite explosion
Fools’ Parade Cast & Characters
James Stewart leads the cast as Mattie Appleyard, with Strother Martin as Lee Cottrill and Kurt Russell as Johnny Jesus. Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen; 13 actors are credited in all.
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Director Andrew V. McLaglen
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James Stewart as Mattie Appleyard -
Strother Martin as Lee Cottrill -
Kurt Russell as Johnny Jesus -
George Kennedy as Dallas 'Doc' Council
Also Starring in Fools’ Parade
· 9 more- David Huddleston Homer Grindstaff
- Mike Kellin Steve Mystic
- Morgan Paull Junior Kilfong
- Robert Donner Willis Hubbard
- William Windom Roy K. Sizemore
- Anne Baxter Cleo
- Katherine Cannon Chanty Thorne
- Dort Clark Enoch Purdy
- James Lee Barrett Sonny Boy
More from Andrew V. McLaglen
More films directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, best-rated first: ffolkes, McLintock!, Cahill U.S. Marshal and The Last Hard Men.
Fools’ Parade Plot Summary
What happens in Fools’ Parade from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1935, the one-eyed murderer, Mattie Appleyard, who refers to his obviously unmatched glass eye with the persona, “Tighe,” wakes up alongside bank robber Lee Cottrill and a young convict named Johnny Jesus after being released on the same day from the West Virginia State Penitentiary in the fictional town of Glory. The trio has spent forty years behind bars, and Appleyard receives a check for $25,452.32 as compensation for his long prison labor—a hefty sum during the depths of the Great Depression. Their shared dream is simple and audacious: to strike out on their own and open an independent grocery store in a distant coal camp community that still lacks a proper, customer-friendly shop.
Full summary
The whole story of Fools’ Parade, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Fools’ Parade?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year was the film "Fools’ Parade" released?
Cars in Fools’ Parade
12 cars on screen, including the 1925 Dodge Brothers Touring and the 1928 Dodge Brothers Standard Six.
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1925 Dodge Brothers Touring Main role -
1928 Dodge Brothers Standard Six Important role -
1931 Reo Royale Important role -
1926 Buick unknown Background role
Seen Fools’ Parade?
Movies Like Fools’ Parade
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Foolish, A Fool and His Money and Foolproof.
Fools’ Parade FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Fools’ Parade, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Fools’ Parade?
Fools’ Parade runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Fools’ Parade released?
Fools’ Parade was released on August 18, 1971.
Who directed Fools’ Parade?
Fools’ Parade was directed by Andrew V. McLaglen.
More films by Andrew V. McLaglen Who is in the cast of Fools’ Parade?
Fools’ Parade stars James Stewart as Mattie Appleyard, Strother Martin as Lee Cottrill and Kurt Russell as Johnny Jesus, among 13 credited actors.
Does Fools’ Parade have a post-credit scene?
No. Fools’ Parade has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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