Alias Jesse James (1959)

41% of users liked it
(238 ratings)

Bob Hope plays a 19th-century insurance agent whose miserable sales record prompts his boss to send him out West, where he can (supposedly) do little harm. Hope manages to sell a $100,000 life insurance policy--to outlaw Jesse James (Wendell Corey), one of the worst "risks" in history! In his… More Bob Hope plays a 19th-century insurance agent whose miserable sales record prompts his boss to send him out West, where he can (supposedly) do little harm. Hope manages to sell a $100,000 life insurance policy--to outlaw Jesse James (Wendell Corey), one of the worst "risks" in history! In his efforts to get the policy back, Hope finds himself being mistaken for Jesse, which is all part of the outlaw's plan to get Hope killed and thereby collect the policy money himself. But with the help of beauteous Rhonda Fleming (the essentially honest beneficiary to Jesse's policy), Hope gains a reputation as a lightning-fast gunslinger. In the inevitable shoot-out with the James gang, Hope is helped out by several famous Westerners, including Gary Cooper, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, James "Maverick" Garner, and even Tonto (Jay Silverheels). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Norman Z. McLeod
Genres: Western, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 20, 1959 Wide
On DVD: Aug 21, 2003
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A funny Western comedy in which Bob Hope plays an insurance agent who encounters the legendary criminal, with many cameos by Paramount's stars.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A typical bumbling cowardly but heroic Bob Hope comedy, that's strictly for his fans who enjoy his pratfalls and the motor mouth's lame one-liners.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Another funny movie with Hope. It does get a little too silly at times, and the story is predictable, but if you're a fan of his, like I am, you'll enjoy this movie.
Anthony V

Another hilarious Bob Hope classic.

Cast

            Bob Hope as Milford Farnsworth

            Rhonda Fleming as The Duchess

            Wendell Corey as Jesse James

            Jim Davis as Frank James

            Gloria Talbott as Indian Maiden

            Will Wright as Titus Queasley

            Mary Young as Ma James

            Richard Alexander as Jeremiah Cole

            James Arness as Matt Dillon

            Gene Autry as Himself

            Oliver Blake as Undertaker

            Ward Bond as Maj. Seth Adams

            James Burke as Charlie Bartender

            Iron Eyes Cody as Bit part

            Gary Cooper as Himself

            Bing Crosby as Himself

            Gail Davis as Annie Oakley

            Mickey Finn as Tough

            James Garner as Bret Maverick

            J. Anthony Hughes as Dirty Dog Saloonkeeper

            I. Stanford Jolley as Conductor

            Ethan Laidlaw as Henchman

            Jack Lambert as Snake Brice

            Lyle Latell as Conductor

            Mike Mazurki as Tough

            Sid Melton as Fight Fan

            Hugh O'Brian as Wyatt Earp

            Nestor Paiva as Bixby

            Fess Parker as Davy Crockett

            Emory Parnell as Sheriff

            Roy Rogers as Himself

            Jay Silverheels as Tonto

            George E. Stone as Gibson Girl Fan

            Glenn Strange as Henchman

            Harry Tyler as Elmo the Station Master

            Joseph Vitale as Sam Hiawatha

            Mike Ross as Killer
See full cast