Review of Alias Jesse James

This movie begins with an incompetent insurance agent named "Milford Farnsworth" (Bob Hope) accidentally selling a life insurance policy to the notorious outlaw "Jesse James" (Wendell Corey) who just happens to be visiting New York. Needless to say, with so many people gunning for this particular outlaw his boss is not very happy with this transaction. Because of that he immediately sends Milford on the next train back west to find Jesse and refund the money in exchange for the policy he issued to him. Failing that, he is given instructions to keep Jesse alive as long as possible so the insurance company doesn't have to pay anything. To that end, Milford assumes the identity of Jesse to confuse everybody-and that suits the outlaw just fine. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was an okay comedy which suffered a couple of misfires here and there but essentially made up for it with the presence of Rhonda Fleming (as Jesse's girlfriend "Cora Lee Collins") who was absolutely stunning. In any case, while this it's certainly not a hilarious movie it was good enough for the time spent and I have rated it accordingly. Average.