The True Story of Jesse James

About this Broadcast

Biopic of the notorious outlaw, examining the events during the American Civil War that drove him to a life of crime, and led to the branding of his family as traitors for supporting the South. James strikes back at the Union with a string of train and bank robberies - and becomes addicted to the thrill of a criminal career. Western, starring Robert Wagner, Jeffrey Hunter and Hope Lange

1957 HD subtitles

Movie/Drama Western

Cast & Crew

Robert Wagner (Actor) .. Jesse James

Jeffrey Hunter (Actor) .. Frank James

Hope Lange (Actor) .. Zee

Agnes Moorehead (Actor) .. Mrs Samuel

Alan Hale Jr (Actor) .. Cole Younger

Alan Baxter (Actor) .. Remington

John Carradine (Actor) .. Reverend Jethro Bailey

Biff Elliot (Actor) .. Jim Younger

Nicholas Ray (Director)

More Information

Did You Know..

Robert Wagner (Actor) .. Jesse James

Born: February 10, 1930 in Detriot, Michigan

Best Known For: Playing millionaire sleuth Jonathan in Hart to Hart.

Early-life: Born Robert John Wagner on February 10, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, but moved to Los Angeles at the age of seven. His father, a steel executive, wanted him to join the family business, but after trying it, RJ (as he was nicknamed), decided to return to his first love of acting. He made ends meet working as a golf caddy, a job that brought him into contact with numerous famous names. That led to him being signed on a lengthy contract by 20th Century Fox.

Career: Wagner's first movie was The Happy Years in 1950. After a handful of blink-and-you'll-miss-them appearances in other films, his big break came in 1952's With a Song in My Heart. Wagner became one of Hollywood's most sought after young actors, appearing in such productions as Titanic, Broken Lance, Prince Valiant, The Pink Panther and The Longest Day. His career dipped a little in the 1960s, but a decade later he was a TV regular with roles in The Streets of San Francisco, Switch and Hart to Hart. The Austin Powers movies and cameos on Two and a Half Men and NCIS have since introduced him to a whole new audience.

Quote: 'I still get angry about Natalie's death and I wonder why it had to happen. I had lived a charmed life, and then I lost a beautiful woman I loved with all my heart.'

Trivia: He published his autobiography, Pieces of My Heart: A Life, in 2008.