The Columbia torchbearer transforms into a lively animated figure, discarding her gown to become a spirited female gunslinger who draws her pistols and joyfully fires into the sky in every direction. Two balladeers, Professor Sam the Shade (Stubby Kaye) and the Sunrise Kid (Nat 'King' Cole), strumming their banjos, inform us through song that "you're now about to hear the ballad of Cat Ballou" (Jane Fonda). A newly erected gallows stands ominously in the middle of town, undergoing tests with sandbags. As they stroll through the bustling streets, Sam and Sunrise reveal that Cat has already taken a life in Wolf City, Wyoming.
After the credits roll, Sam and Sunrise halt outside the town jail, where a group of temperance women can be heard pleading for prayer. Inside, Cat gazes through her barred window at the gallows while putting the finishing touches on a white dress suspended on a dress form. Sam and Sunrise conclude their tune by vowing to explain, "how come they're now going to hang you and how did you begin?" In Cat's cell, a framed photo from her graduation day in 1894 hangs.
Suddenly, we flash back one year. A train conductor announces Sumqua as an elderly woman escorts Cat down the aisle, heralding her as she embarks on the journey of life post-academy. As Cat follows her guide, she is subjected to unwanted attention from male passengers, including a young man (Michael Callan) in handcuffs, yearning for her glance. The older woman hastily directs Cat away from the raucous situation.
A young priest (Dwayne Hickman) presents himself as a potential protector. Introducing herself as Cat Ballou, she shares her name, while he drunkenly stumbles through an apology for his inebriated state, only to grab her poetry book, mistakenly expecting it to be a story about Kid Shelleen. Eventually, they both end up in precarious circumstances as the man in custody (`Jed`) engages in a comedic escapade involving the sheriff.
Fast forward, Cat returns to Wolf City, greeted by her father Frank (John Marley), who reveals he has sold their horses. The house, aged and unruly, surprises Cat, especially when she encounters a distant figure—Tim Strawn (Lee Marvin), a hired killer with a notorious reputation. Her innocent upbringing clashes with the realities of the town's turbulence, as Sheriff Cardigan (Jay C. Flippen) embodies the lawlessness around her father's declining ranch.
Simmering tensions reach a boiling point when Cat determines to hire Kid Shelleen—a drunken gunfighter needing redemption. Meanwhile, Jackson Two-Bears (Tom Nardini) and Cat's father join in a dance that escalates into chaos, revealing the power struggle between Cat’s family and the antagonistic forces of Wolf City Development Corp.
As events unfold, Cat's desperate call to arms mobilizes a plan to rob a train that leads to a comedic series of heists whereas rivalries between Cat, Clay (Dwayne Hickman), and her motley crew evolve towards ultimately avenging her father, leading to Cat’s fateful encounter with the corrupt Harry Percival (Reginald Denny).
With a combination of quick wit, vengeful tactics, and the ultimate sacrifice in the wake of tragedy, Cat Ballou becomes a captivating legend. As she stands before the gallows, she possesses a fierce spirit unyielding to societal constraints. Despite being condemned, she boldly confronts her fate with the unflinching support of her friends and righteous determination, leading to a chaotic and uproarious escape.
Ultimately, the narrative closes with a song about the mystery of Cat's winding journey and how her story continues to inspire, leaving a legacy of resilience and rebellion imprinted in the hearts of those who witness her enigmatic saga.
