Alias Jesse James

Milford Farnsworth, a bumbling insurance agent, is stunned to discover that the man he's insuring is the infamous outlaw Jesse James. He sells the life insurance policy without realizing James's true identity. The policy sets the entire plot in motion, linking Farnsworth's fate to a dangerous plan.

Farnsworth is dispatched to the frontier under the pretense of safeguarding the insurance company's profit. He is tasked with protecting James, which sends him away from the safety of the office. The arrangement puts Farnsworth in direct danger as he blunders his way into the outlaw's world.

James plots to have Farnsworth killed while the insurance man is dressed as the outlaw. The scheme is designed so James and his would-be widow, Cora Lee Collins, can collect the policy funds. The plan sets up a tense game of deception that drives the early conflict.

Farnsworth endures several assassination attempts, each a comic misfire that only tightens his bond with Collins. He constantly eludes danger while playing the role of protection, keeping James's plan from succeeding. The close calls reveal his stubborn determination, even as the situation grows increasingly ridiculous.

During their uneasy alliance, Farnsworth and Cora Lee Collins grow closer and fall for each other. Their romance develops amid peril and deception, complicating James's plan for a quick payday. The evolving relationship shifts Farnsworth's motives from mere protection to personal loyalty.

After the final attempt on Farnsworth's life, he takes control of the situation and decides to impersonate the local Justice of the Peace. He aims to legally wed James and Collins, cementing their alliance and foiling James's murder-for-profit scheme. The fake ceremony becomes a turning point that accelerates their flight.

Farnsworth steps into the JP role, officiating the wedding between James and Collins. He uses his position to consolidate their escape and signal a break from the James Gang's scheming. The moment blends farce with a melodramatic turn as modern heroism emerges.

The pursuing gang closes in as Farnsworth and Collins race to safety. They end up in a gun battle with the James Gang, testing their nerve and mutual trust. In a crowd of cameos, several Western heroes appear to discreetly aid Farnsworth and tilt the odds in their favor.

The town hails Farnsworth as a hero for outwitting the gang and protecting Collins. The insurances company also benefits from his apparent courage, boosting his standing back home. The celebratory mood marks a dramatic shift from his earlier bumbling reputation.

Farnsworth and Collins marry in a joyful ceremony that finally unites their lives. The wedding seals their partnership and cements Collins as Mrs. Farnsworth. The sequence blends romance with the film's comic Western energy.

Following their marriage, Farnsworth's status soars as he is named president of the insurance company. He uses his new position to promote the idea that his agency offers protection against every contingency—an audacious boast given the evidence. The promotion completes his transformation from clerk to chief executive.

In a moment of bravado, Farnsworth proclaims to a potential client that his agency provides protection for every conceivable contingency. The boast mirrors the film's ongoing joke about insurance being a catch-all remedy. It underscores his newfound confidence and public persona.

The secretary announces Mrs. Farnsworth to the room, revealing six red-headed children and the youngest being twins. The surprising family detail capstones the transformation of Farnsworth from an inept agent to a settled patriarch. The moment lands as a comedic note on the unpredictable nature of life insurance.

The film ends with Farnsworth delivering the line, 'Well, you can't get insurance against everything,' as his wife whispers in his ear. The audience watches him shrug at the camera as The End appears, a wink at the movie's blend of romance, humor, and Western action. It leaves a playful note on the nature of attempted guarantees.