The story is built around a fictional rivalry between Ford and his eventual killer Edward O’Kelley (called John in the film) over a woman.

Harry Kane, who manages Cynthy's career, books Bob for stage appearances in which he re-enacts the shooting of Jesse.

Bob goes to Colorado to try prospecting and runs into Kelley, who is rejecting offers to become Creede's town marshal.

Frank James, brother of Jesse, overhears a conversation in which Cynthy confides to Kelley that he's the one she truly loves.

[4] The film was released on video by the Criterion Collection's Eclipse imprint together with The Baron of Arizona and The Steel Helmet.

[2] The film reportedly earned Lippert over half a million dollars in profits and was the movie that took his career to the next level in Hollywood.

[6] Lippert was so pleased with the film he signed Carl Hittleman to produce five more films: Grand Canyon, Park Row, The Baron of Arizona, an adaptation of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas and The Ghost of Jesse James; Park Row, Baron and Leagues were to be directed by Sam Fuller.