Here's another Antheil curiosity: His work in the capacity as a film song writer - Antheil would later go on to write songs for "The Pride and the Passion" (1957).
“Jesse James' Women” is a 1954 American Technicolor Western film starring as well as directed, co-produced and co-written by Donald Barry, commonly known as Don "Red" Barry, who portrays Jesse James. The supporting cast features Peggie Castle, Jack Buetel, and Lita Baron. Filming took place in Silver Creek, Mississippi. Critics panned it, the film's reputation remains low even today.
Plot: Jesse James is posing as a rancher whilst his gang is laying low. He uses various women to plan his robberies.
George Antheil wrote the song “Careless Lover” for Barry’s film. It’s performed on screen by Spanish-born American actress, dancer and singer Lita Baron (1923-2015). There is, by the way, a second song in “Jesse James’ Women” - “In the Shadow of my Heart” written by Stan Jones. Both, Antheil and Jones receive on screen credit in the main titles. The actual film score, however, was composed by Walter Greene. The song “Careless Lover” wasn't released on record, and it’s largely forgotten today.
The source material of this rare song used for the video below has been compromised as split seconds of Lita Baron's performance are cut in the middle of it (ca. at 0:40).
