I Shot Jesse James 1949

Bob Ford [John Ireland] of the Jesse James gang is wounded during a bank robbery and mends at Jesse James’s Missouri home for six months, while Zee James [Barbara Woodell]—Jesse’s wife—watches him with growing distrust.

Cynthy Waters [Barbara Britton], a touring actress, arrives in town to perform on stage, bringing a spark of romance into Bob’s life. He spots her speaking with John Kelley [Preston Foster], a prospector, and a tangle of jealousy and longing starts to form. Bob understands that Cynthy wants to marry and settle down, even as he quietly wrestles with whether he can offer her a steadier future.

In a bid to secure money, Bob learns of the governor’s $10,000 reward for Jesse and makes a fateful choice to betray a friend by shooting Jesse in the back. He is pardoned by the governor, but the official reward he receives is only $500. He spends the money on an engagement ring, a tangible symbol of the life he imagines with Cynthy. Harry Kane [J. Edward Bromberg], who manages Cynthy’s career, books Bob for stage appearances in which he re-enacts the shooting of Jesse, a performance that audiences boo and taunt as a cowardly deed.

Seeking work and a fresh start, Bob heads to Colorado to try his hand at prospecting. There he runs into Kelley, who is reluctant to accept the role of Creede’s town marshal. One morning Bob wakes to find both Kelley and the engagement ring missing, a sign of the chaos surrounding his plans. Cynthy arrives just as Kelley returns, having recovered the ring, but Kelley’s pride is dented when he discovers that Cynthy accepts Bob’s proposal and commitment. In response, Kelley accepts the marshal job, as if to prove his own decision.

Frank James [Tom Tyler], Jesse’s brother, overhears a conversation in which Cynthy confesses to Kelley that she truly loves him. He lets this knowledge settle in Bob’s ears, knowing it will drive Bob to a reckless confrontation. On a tense city street, Bob draws on Kelley and is shot dead. Kelley ends up with Cynthy, and Frank James executes a final act of revenge for his brother’s death.