The Return of Frank James

Set after the death of Jesse James, the film follows his brother Frank, who has been living quietly as a farmer under another name. When the men responsible for Jesse's killing go free, Frank leaves his farm behind and sets out after them, joined by a young companion named Clem. A newspaper reporter, Eleanor Stone, is sent to cover the story and becomes involved with Frank, while word reaches him that someone close to him at home may hang for the robbery Frank himself carried out. He must weigh finishing his pursuit against returning to prevent an innocent man's death.

Fritz Lang directed this Western for 20th Century Fox, working from a screenplay by Sam Hellman and producing for Darryl F. Zanuck, with a credited cast of fifty-three. It was Lang's tenth film as director in chronological order, arriving after You Only Live Once and before Man Hunt. Henry Fonda plays Frank, Jackie Cooper plays Clem, Gene Tierney appears as Eleanor Stone, Henry Hull plays Major Rufus Cobb, John Carradine plays Bob Ford and J. Edward Bromberg plays George Runyan.

Released in August 1940 and running ninety-two minutes, the film drew modest, consistent responses. It holds a 6.6 rating on IMDb from around 4,100 votes and a 6.4 on TMDB from roughly 146, while critics gave it 6.8 from seven reviews, so professional and audience assessments sit close together.