Grudges & Good Times! John Wayne! Ben Johnson! Henry Fonda! John Ford!
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- čas přidán 20. 05. 2023
- John Ford has been called "Hollywood's greatest director." He has more Academy Awards for directing than anyone else, ironically, none for a Western. While he directed over 130 films, his name immediately conjures images of the American West, particularly Monument Valley, Utah. Certainly, he was a great filmmaker and a consummate craftsman. He was also known as a mean-spirited prankster and manipulator who could elicit extraordinary performances from his cast, usually a stock company of performers who endured his actions to work with the legend. Ford was a man who held grudges when he felt wronged or disrespected. Yet, his films were filled with humor and love.
Being John Ford's grandson enabled producer Dan Ford to have access to letters, production reports, and revealing personal and professional papers that had remained unseen. While gathering information for his affectionate biography, "PAPPY: THE LIFE OF JOHN FORD," Dan was welcomed by those who had worked with Ford. Although his grandfather rarely revealed himself in interviews, Dan's research and interviews, even with those who had clashed with and felt the impact of his grandfather's wrath, made his book a favorite among film buffs and historians, one to be cherished.
Dan joined Rob Word for "A WORD ON WESTERNS" on Jan 10, 2023, at The Autry for a conversation about his legendary grandfather.
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#awordonwesterns #johnwayne #benjohnson #johnford #film #filmhistory #classicmovies #grudges
#grandparents #author #biography #danford #sheworeayellowribbon #riogrande #cavalry #icon #classicmoviestars #stuntman #thesearchers #moviedirector #filmdirector #monumentvalley #utah #robword #grandson #grandfather - Zábava
I have never come away from watching your show without being entertained, informed, and wanting more. Thank you, Bob!
I agree with Terry Hurlburt thank you Rob Word again for bringing this historical recap to all of us viewers that truly enjoy and appreciate your work 🤠🇺🇸
Thank you for saving this oral history. Love your videos.
Thanks, BD
The Quiet Man is one of my all time favorites. An excellent movie. If you haven’t seen it, highly recommended.
Thanks Dan Ford for sharing your grandfather s legacy, thank you Rob for sharing
I love this interview Rob. Back when men were men and women were women. What a concept.🇺🇸🖖
John Ford. John Wayne. Henry Fonda. Ben Johnson. All Legends.
Thanks for the interview, Rob! Glad to see Dan keeping the Ford legend alive!
I love these interviews and hearing from those who know so much history of actors and directors. It's so very interesting to me and gives me an added appreciation of the movies and those who were involved. Thank you so much for sharing these interviews.
You bet, Ginny. Thank you
Grew up in the Burbank and Hollywood area, so all of your shows are a wonderful walk down memory lane. Everyone was in the business and it was definitely "six degrees of Kevin Bacon" living there.
Off the chart! Thanks Rob.
Another great segment that is crammed with behind the scene information! It make me realize these were men who had faults and virtues too.
So much has been written about John Ford and much controversy also. Great to hear this interview, thanks!!
As a person that ALWAYS watches the director's narration cut of films these interviews are over the top interesting.
Thanks, JB
🤠 Rob , this was a riveting interview …just watched SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON , and had the opportunity to visit the filming locations at Monument Valley in the 90’s ….good stuff 👍
Yee haw! 2 of my Heroes & Role Models highlighted in this episode! 👍👍 5⭐ & 💯😀
Another great interview/talk to share with us! Thanks Rob!
I love western movies very cool video.
"They Were Expendable" is my favorite Ford -Wayne movie and my all-time favorite war film. "The Searchers" is my favorite Ford -Wayne western and my all-time favorite western movie. Let the booing and tossing commence.
"12 o'clock High" and "Battleground" are tied as war film firsts for me. We're in 100% agreement on "The Searchers" in the category of Westerns, however.
Another tie with "The Maltese Falcon" and "Out of the Past" for me among Film Noirs.
@@hiramnoone I agree with your selection and would add "30 Seconds Over Tokyo". That movie has held up amazingly well, not least because it avoided jingoistic "Jap bashing" and focused on the human condition instead. Two other wartime films that are amazingly stark and emotional are "The Human Comedy" and "Since You Went Away". For sheer romantic film noir I would include "Casablanca". As an aside, my brother's favorite movie is "The Maltese Falcon". He has a collection of all three versions of the film and likes to critique them for devotion to the original Hammett story.
Nice, Col!
@@Paladin1873 Yeah, "The Human Comedy". Everyone in that film was great. Made in the middle of the war when its outcome was still undetermined. It must have been very hard watching it for mothers, sisters and wives particularly.
That scene with Mickey Rooney as the Western Union messenger having to deliver the news from the War Department to a mother whose son had been killed is still one of the most heart rending and poignant on film.
Regards to your brother. I'm a bit of a nut on the film too (I have a rescue dog right here with me who's part Maltese I named Bogey) ; also on Hammett and Raymond Chandler.
@@hiramnoone My brother keeps pining for a Webley-Fosbery 455.
Another great look back at some of the greatest names in Westerns ever. I am reminded though, of John Ford's time on Midway. He was filming the life of Pacific military men when the battle broke out. They tried to evacuate him to a bunker but he refused and kept filming. His courage is why we have such great footage of the battle for the tiny atoll called Midway.
Yeah. He was also wounded by shrapnel during the attack and awarded the Purple Heart.
Enjoyed this interview with John Ford’s grandson Dan. One of my favorite WOW’s. Thanks.
He has a tell. When he'[s asked a question that he doesn't want to answer. he makes a strange expression, clams up and says "I can't recall". Eg. the fight between Ben Johnson and Duke. He didn't want to tell what he knew.. But he's open minded about his "Pappy" admitting that he was a SOB. His comparison between 2 Nebraskans -- Fonda and Carson is a great one. good inside info
No matter what they said about Ford he made some great movies and also served his country.
Fascinating interview. John Ford will always be 'the great American director.' I'll give Dan his first choice as They Were Expendable. I respect his reason. So many great movies directed by Ford. My top five John Ford flicks:
The Searchers
They Were Expendable
The Quiet Man
Mr. Roberts (Jack Lemmon stole the show)
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
I do like The Apes of Wrath but it wasn't the version directed by John Ford. 🐰
i'm agree with you mr. Jansen. I've always liked Liberty Valance too... it's always attracted me and apart from the fact that it's shot in white and black, I also find it very original with a great cast.
PS thank you Rob!!!
Another great interview about a man who was a great director and apparently not quite as bad as he was often said to be. Thanks Rob for this look at John Ford from a family member’s point of view.
What a wonderful look behind the camera. I like hearing the more personal names such as “ Hank” for Henry Fonda, “Jack” Ford, and others. Ben Johnson has always been a favorite of mine. If Ben Johnson was in the cast, the film went up a couple of notches. Dan really gives us a feel for what the Golden Days of Hollywood, and I miss those days so very much. My apologies for being a day late marking on here, Rob; and thank you for a splendid video.
For me, Ben Johnson stole every movie he was in.
I just love this, thank you!!
Great!! Thank you!!
One of my favorite things in Sundays is soending time with A Word on Westerns. ALWAYS greatvguests, great interviews and learning about behind the scenes interactions and stories about the actors and directors of my favorite movie genre. Nobody can do the shows and interviews better than you, Mr. Word. Many thanks!
Thanks, Tom. We're shooting more tomorrow at The Autry. I'm doing my "homework" now!
John Ford made memorable movies.
Another great interview!
Thank you so much!
It is so good to listen to the back ground stories behind both the people, situatiins &/ settings of these great individuals. Thank you Rob & kind regards from Adelaide, South Australia.
Another fantastic informative interview. Well done.
Debbie. Hi Dan And BoB.. Love The Interview. Westerns Still Close TO My Heart ! TODAY-- MY STAGECOACH-- Anniversary Gold Handle "MUG" Was Delivered! Brilliantly Designed! My 1st Western - 1945! End of ww2. Thank you!🤗 Sunny London 😎
Thanks for another fascinating interview this time with Dan Ford who is John Ford's grandson this time with tidbits on John Ford, Duke Wayne, Henry Fonda and even Ben Johnson. So many stories that would have been lost to time without Dan documenting it.
Great guest talking about great actors and John Ford.
I can’t get enough, JJ. Thanks.
@@AWordonWesterns little kids hear you cuss ?
Great show
Thanks, Kevin.
Another top-notch interview. I read "PAPPY" back in the 1980's. It was a fine book on my favorite director of all time. Thank you, Rob!
Dang good interview, Rob. I’m a Nebraska wasp. I’ve never heard of that label.
Foot on a nickel! Real tawkin' I miss that!
Excellent Interview. So Informative an such a Delight To Hear Fords Grandson. Clashes, Competition, Humor an Love make great Films. an John Ford was the King of Western Film Genre,,,,,,,Thank You, Rob.
Thanks, Brian. Dan's book is good, too.
Thanks Rob excellent!!
Thanks, Eric
Great interview.
John Ford produced some of my most favorite movies. He is a true piece of Americana! His service in the Navy during the Second World War is not widely known nor appreciated. America lost a treasure with his passing. It was good that his grand son could put his story together before his death.
Another great episode,,
If you grew up in the 50's and 60's westerns were the best in entertainment. Bob Words interviews are the best. They Were Expendables and PT109 captured my imagination too.
This just might be the best or the most interesting interview even though he didn't act in westerns.
Great job, great guest,
That appears to be a Purple Heart in his lapel. Need more on Dan.
Great piece of work. It is often easy to forget the average human side that these great names had.
Cheers,
Lee
Thanks, Lee
Great interview Rob. Good for Dan Ford sharing his stories and hearing how he wrote the book Pappy. Always enjoy stories about Ben Johnson one of my favorite actors. Keep it up! I may have accidentally messed up and hit dislike button, But don’t believe it!! Please!! I like everything you put out on AWOW. You’re a jewel in the western film world.
Thank you for the kind words, Slippery Fingers Sue.
A fan of Westerns will definitely bring out John Ford ! My personal favorite is John Sturges. Thank you for the show , Mr. Word.
A great conversation about my favorite director. According to Scott Eyman’s bio of Ford, the man was a genius and had his demons. Interesting tidbits about George O’Brien, and Ben Johnson.
Maureen O'Hara discusses some of those demons in her highly readable autobiography.
SO many great choices for Ford/Wayne movies- The Quiet Man is my #1 favorite, but the Searchers, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Fort Apache, They Were Expendable, Rio Grande, Horse Soldiers, Stagecoach, and Donavan's Reef are all favorites of mine.
Favorites of mine, too, jay. Thanks.
Great interview as always Rob. Dan has some of that Ford orniness.
A great video of three incredible people . I always enjoy your videos.
Excellent content, Rob, sir.
I read that book! It was fabulous!!! Loved reading it. This was one of the best interviews but then you had the best guy to interview about John Ford. Thanks for pursuing this, Rob! Oh, I just have to mention, that when he was trying to remember the name of a composer's theme song, I spoke up and said, "Peter Gunn" and without missing a beat, Dan points to the camera (as if pointing to me) and says, "Peter Gunn." Surreal but fun. Like I was in the audience and he heard me. LOL
Ahhh, interactive TV. Thanks, Kyrila.
Meant GRANDSON of course🤦😮🤣
Another excellent interview. I'm always interested in John Ford material. I rewatched "They were Expendable" recently and I had a much greater appreciation for it. I noted Dan Ford's comparison of Henry Fonda and Johnny Carson as icy Nebraskans, very interesting.
Thanks. I just watched THEY WERE EXPENDABLE last night on TCM. A great film.
22:22 They Were Expendable. YES!!!!!
I agree with everybody that below me you're the best just like the one guy says I walk away wanting more thank you for a great show very informative
Thank you, chucky. I feel lucky, too!
A great conversation with conversation with Dan Ford about his grandfather the iconic John Ford. Because of his family relationship he was able to gain access to many of people who knew John Ford as both a person and a filmmaker. This was great in that it wasn't a rehearsed pat tales of John Ford talk. One story lead into another, sometimes names weren't remembered, some situations were only partially recalled. Dan Ford seems like a pretty self deprecating individual who himself had a pretty interesting career but summed it up with "Yah, I did some stuff". Another book I've got to get and read. You just keep expanding my library and film knowledge.
Looks like you're gonna have to build more shelves, Jim.
Holy cowboys, what a stunning interwiev, John Wayne, and John Wayne, and of course sergent tyree, the Best of the Best, thanks lord Rob Word of Word on Westerns laird of Word manor your friend tom now and always 🤩 🤩 USA 😎 ☀️ 💎 😎
Thank you, Tom
Mr.Word grazie queste interviste rimarranno e chi come noi ama i films western e l'epoca western e soprattutto le persone che hanno lavorato per creare queste magie quando ancora non c'erano i livelli di sicurezza, potranno usufruire del suo meraviglioso lavoro. Dico la verità anch'io mi rivedo volentieri alcune interviste più volte.🙏👍🏻✨🌹
Fascinating stuff Rob. Ford sounded like a tough director it would be interesting to see how actors today would respond to that direction. I guess the good ones would respect him
I love that he just told it like it is. A Nebraska wasp...so true about about any of wasp 😂 But wasn't being vindictive. Their is a difference in many 'cultures'. You had to be tough to survive all those states.
Good videos-p
A comment on Wayne as director,"The Alamo". Years ago, Frankie Avalon was taking questions on a local radio show, promoting the local production of "Grease", in which he was then appearing.I asked him about his experience as a young pop singer being thrust into the career move of being cast in that film,"The Alamo"..he said that the many months on the southwest location were an ordeal, and Wayne was often on edge.. so many of his ( Wayne's) friends and acquaintances were investors in the endeavor, all the weight on his shoulders , so nerves were taught. Frankie told of an instance in which the Duke became so enraged that he punched a horse, ala Alex Karras in "Blazing Saddles". But Mr.Avalon capped these reminiscences with the tender note that he owed his life's happiness to that film, that set,that whole episode of his life. He met Michael Wayne, who was helping produce the film..they became good friends. Michael's wife ( Gretchen Deibel Wayne)had a sister, they met one day, perhaps on the set..to tell a long story short..that sister is still to this day Mrs. Frankie Avalon..you never know,huh?..happy 60th anniversary Frankie and, Kathryne Deibel Avalon.
Cool! Thanks for sharing your story, Michael. I didn't know that.
Dan strikes me as a no-nonsense curmudgeon like his Pappy. But he’s a wealth of information. Another great interview. YOU are a wealth of information Rob. Great handshake at the end too. Where did Dan get his height? Not from his Pappy.
I LIKE THEM TOO
George O'Brien's wife was Marguerite Churchill.
Bob Bain, who passed away five years ago next month, began his career playing with big band leaders Tommy Dorsey and Bob Crosby (Bing's brother).
That was REALLY GOOD. Mr. Dan Ford i keep wondering how much of his Grandfather's personality is like the Grandson? There's no way for me to really know, but Dan seem like a NO NONSENSE kind of person who is controlling the FUN on others more than taking fun from others (which is how I hear most stories about Mr. John Ford are.) Does that make sense? --- Thanks ROB :) Nice Job - m.
I have to agree with Dan Ford. My favorite Ford/Wayne film is "They Were Expendable". Number 2 would be "The Searchers" and 3 would be "The Quiet Man". I also love the Cavalry Trilogy. "The Wings of Eagles" is another of their films that I really like. It's a different movie from the usual Wayne catalogue.
The Fugitive is still well remembered . . . .
And beautifully shot, too. Thanks
Nice! I remember reading this book about 40 years ago. I wonder what happened to it. Each of all three moves to having a new house built resulted in stuff missing. Anyway, good interview, Rob. It sounds like Ford treated family a lot differently than he did his cattle. Er, I mean actors.
PAPPY was reprinted in paperback, MJ, so you may be able to find a copy. It's certainly worth the hunt!
on the phillipines trip with george o brien ford had called him up last minute to come! standing on the ship as it sailed george saw mary ford the directors wife rushing up the quay crying in a great deal of distress as her husband vanished over the horizon.gee she really loves you pappy said o brien impressed.its not that said ford its because youve got her ticket!!
Here's my Mount Rushmore of western directors from the Golden Age of Hollywood: John Ford, Sam Peckinpah, Sergio Leone, and John Sturges.
All solid choices, Pryce. I agree except that I'd need a bigger mountain to add Boetticher & Hill!
@@AWordonWesterns Good idea!!
@@AWordonWesterns Plus Howard Hawks, Michael Curtiz, Anthony Mann, George Stevens and Henry Hathaway.
Better make it an entire Range then.
The Grand Tetons might do it.
And let’s not forget. Delmer Daves and Robert Totten! William Witney, too!!
@@AWordonWesterns Exactly why we need more mountains.
His parents emigrated from close to where i live in connemara county Galway Ireland 🇮🇪
DAN FORD does a fine job of trying to explain his complicated grandfather better than most people he knew John Ford.
From my own research I think the great director always needed a good producer as a buffer from the studio politics and interference.
John Ford did well under the old studio system where he had more power than his actors, but by the 1950s those star actors had the power, especially with Dan's telling of MR. ROBERTS... but ironically another director in the same league as Ford, William Wyler -why he could still over-ride his star's opinion when Gregory Peck insisted on a retake on THE BIG COUNTRY, and Peck was co-producer along with Wyler.
With all his Oscar's, John Ford understandably felt a resentment from that loss of power, that loss of respect. The stars and their powerful agents dictated their demands to studios that were now begging for talent that they once had under contract and were very bankable at the box office.
Henry Fonda knew his character better than anyone, and he was right to challenge Ford's direction in this case, as the play didn't need opening up for the big screen... and neither did 12 ANGRY MEN, where Fonda was both star and producer, and he had a young director in Sidney Lumet who knew not to tamper with a great story that started out as a TV play.
Dan Ford's PAPPY book is a good place to start for anyone wanting to know about the legendary director... but if the old grouchy Irishman was still alive, he would not want to talk about his career, and just downplay all those classic movies as just another job.
he got the walk on part wrong. Dean Martin walked on after Bob Hope when George Gobel was supposed to go on. Dean and George seemed half cut, its hilarious, Its on CZcams
You are correct. I noticed that too. Very very funny bit.
Rob your continued passion for preserving the
"cinematic🤠🐴 west" 🎦 is to the benift of all of us we remember a time when going to the movies 🎥 was a treat, a
communal experience. Whether it would be with your parents, friends a first date or alone with the crowd. This is by and large a thing of the past. Where many now watch movies on their not so smart 📱 🤦🏽. You've collect a group of folks who appreciate the past and appreciate you for all you do....... If it hasn't happened already? I'd like to see you being interviewed. Outside of Google I'd like to learn more about your history, passions and experiences. Let me be so bold and ask you the first question if I may 🙋🏽♂️...... Who would you choose to interview you and why?
Have a great and safe day sir 👍🏽 23:16 23:16 23:16
Thank you very much for your nice thoughts, Bill. I'm a good listener (and prodder) and would probably be a boring interview. However, I think it might be fun to have the SMARTLESS guys do one. I like to laugh!
Another great interview, Rob. John Ford was a great director, but so was Cecil B. DeMille. DeMille directed possibly the best version of the life of Christ in the silent "King of Kings." DeMille also directed some great westerns like "Northwest Mounted Police," "Unconquered," and "Union Pacific." My favorite story about DeMille is that he was directing some extras in "The Ten Commandments," saw one of them talking, and asked her what she said.
She replied: "I asked when is this bald-headed son-of-a-bitch calling for lunch?"
DeMille laughed and called: "Lunch!"
John Ford is my favorite.
Ford did lose his temper and sock Henry Fonda during the filming of "Mister Roberts", in part out of frustration over on going disagreements on the part of Fonda over Ford's direction, but mostly as a result of a simmering sense of ingratitude and disloyalty on Fonda's part whom Ford had argued for with the studio chiefs in casting his friend, whom the studio felt was too old for the part (which in fairness, as a 50 year old Naval lieutenant? He was) preferring to cast a younger, hotter actor like Marlon Brando.
My opinion though? Brando's method style wouldn't have worked as the Roberts character anyway, and great actor that he was despite his age, in the end, Fonda made it work.
Thanks. Sure glad Fonda was able to recreate the role for all of us.
@@AWordonWesterns Yeah, Rob. Cagney in a comic part as the Captain was great in it too. Not sure if the palm tree gag was in the play, but I guess part of Fonda's contention was Ford's adding too much comedy that wasn't in the original play which he 'd done on Broadway. And possibly some of Lemmon's antics too.
I liked it though.
Supposedly Ben Johnson got verbally abused quite often by John Ford, as did others, during Rio Grande. Johnson let Ford have it for being disrespectful. Johnson was blacklisted for awhile due to Ford. Even John Wayne was afraid to hire Johnson due to incurring Ford’s wrath. Maureen O’Hara defended Johnson to Ford and felt Ford could be extremely cruel many times to all of them. Ford was a great director but not a nice or respectful person.
john ford vs howard hawks, Rob who made your favorite western?
Tough to choose, mark. How about my favorite Ford westerns are THE SEARCHERS and MY DARLING CLEMENTINE and my favorite Hawks westerns are RED RIVER and RIO BRAVO. What are yours?
@@AWordonWesterns
for me The Searchers , has some of the most scenic views in a movie, but it's a hard watch. Clementine fails for its lack historical accuracy . But hard not to dislike Hank Fonda. My Ford choice would be Stagecoach & The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
I like all 3 of those Hawks trilogy. Rio Bravo ( the musical scene was a nice interlude without being corny). And El Dorado is my favorite. There was an excellent chemistry between Wayne & Mitchum & Caan.
The fight between John Ford and Henry Fonda on the set of Mister Roberts was not the fight of the century...
According to Jack Lemmon, it was even pretty funny.
Lemmon didn't witness the beginning of the fight (it seems that Ford was drunk and hit Fonda without warning) but he saw Henry Fonda holding Ford at arm's length while Ford was trying to hit him with big moves like a windmill.
Fonda tried to calm down Ford but he was too drunk and aggressive, so he pushed him on a bed and left the room.
That us funny, Major. Thanks!
A Way of Life, Like Any Other -- NYRB classics -- great book, but negative AF -- Darcy had a horseshit attitude about a lot of stuff, but he wrote very very well.
Ben Johnson was the kind of man draft dodging Wayne wanted to be. A real man. Wayne was scared s..t less of flabby drunken John Ford. Ford made good movies and tried to bully anyone who would allow it. Ben Johnson did not allow it. Wayne did.
RIP Ben Johnson
Phil Spenglenberger is out here in Prescott Az. I have befriended him thru my music residency at the Palace Saloon on Whiskey Row and other associated friends we share here. I told him this past Friday about your channel and how I loved your show , and of course he said he knows you well. Small world
Nice, Danny. Phil is a terrific person to hang out with. A group of us from the Hole in the Wall Gang spent some time at the fabulous Palace Saloon bar with Phil in March. Thanks and tell him Howdy!
@@AWordonWesterns he did tell me about your group , he didn’t mention you were out so recently tho when we spoke about you ! I’ll make sure he lets me know if you come out again, would love to meet you. Love the channel. If ppl like you don’t do what you do, it will get lost in history. Great day to you, hope to see you one day in the Palace👍🏼
Thanks for another interesting interview. Loved the insights and stories.
Thanks, Joan. I like hearing them, too.