Henry Fonda | Hollywood Yesterday

Henry Fonda, Young Mr. Lincoln (Excellent Movie, Excellent Performance)

September 27, 2022 By Joi

Henry Fonda as Abraham Lincoln in Young Mr. Lincoln

When two or more of your favorites combine for one film, very often it’s a personal case of movie magic. It’s certainly the case for me with Henry Fonda and John Ford in their excellent 1939 film Young Mr. Lincoln. It’s one of my top favorite movies, and… really… how could it not be?! Ironically, it’s a film Henry Fonda had to pretty much be talked into making simply because he had so much respect for Abraham Lincoln. He was afraid he couldn’t do the great man justice. Fortunately, John Ford saw the greatness in Henry Fonda and convinced him to step into the extraordinary shoes of Lincoln. He actually accepted the role after John Ford had him make a screen test. Fonda later told an interviewer, “I felt as if I were portraying Christ himself on film.” Henry Fonda is nothing short of brilliant in the role. With ingenious film shots and special shoes, Fonda achieved the appearance of being taller and, with his flawless acting talent, he did the rest. The movie is absolutely wonderful and, if you haven’t seen it, I hope you’ll watch it as soon as possible. If you HAVE seen it, revisit it soon and fall in love with movie-making all over again. The movie also stars Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver, Donald Meek, Arleen Whelan, Eddie Collins, Pauline Moore, Richard Comwell, Ward Bond, and Eddie Quillan.

You can find Young Mr. Lincoln on dvd and Blu-ray (Amazon link)

Henry Fonda, Young Mr. Lincoln

Pictures of the Day: Ann Dvorak, Vincent Price, Henry Fonda, and Barbara Bel Geddes

August 29, 2022 By Joi

Ann Dvorak, Vincent Price, and Barbara Bel Geddes in The Long Night

After finishing my review of Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice, I felt it was only appropriate that Ann Dvorak be the picture of the day.

I mean, come on, some things make so much sense even I can figure them out after just one cup of coffee.

This photo is from the wonderful 1947 film-noir The Long Night. Directed to perfection by Anatole Litvak, the film stars Henry Fonda, Ann Dvorak, Vincent Price, and Barbara Bel Geddes. I’m really surprised this film doesn’t get more attention, I personally think it’s outstanding. The performances by the four leads could not be better – particularly the performances of Ann Dvorak and Barbara Bel Geddes – they’re absolutely the heart of the film… and this from Henry Fonda’s biggest fan!

Unfortunately The Long Night isn’t shown on television very often, so if you see it, watch it then and there! You can also find The Long Night on dvd (Amazon link). I desperately need it for my Ann Dvorak collection, so it’ll be flying into my cart right away.

Henry Fonda and Barbara Bel Geddes

Henry Fonda and James Stewart as Wyatt Earp

August 10, 2022 By Joi

Henry Fonda and Cathy Downs, My Darling Clementine

Ironically, real-life close friends James Stewart and Henry Fonda BOTH played Wyatt Earp in westerns that were directed by the legendary John Ford. They’re my top two favorite actors of all time, so I have (of course) seen both movies more than a few times.

Henry Fonda in My Darling Clementine (1946)
James Stewart was Wyatt Earp in Cheyenne Autumn (1964)

While I personally prefer My Darling Clementine, I think they’re both wonderful movies and each actor gives an outstanding performance.

James Stewart and Arthur Kennedy, Cheyenne Autumn

You can find My Darling Clementine on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

You can find Cheyenne Autumn on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

John Ford on the set of Cheyenne Autumn

Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda as Jesse and Frank James

July 29, 2022 By Joi

Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda

Two of my favorite actors in one Western (my favorite genre)??? Pop the popcorn, pour the raspberry tea, and call me when it’s on. I could literally watch Jesse James (1939) once a week and be perfectly content. The great Western also stars the underrated (and underused) Nancy Kelly, Randolph Scott, Henry Hull, Slim Summerville, John Carradine, Donald Meek, and Jane Darwell.

Wonderful cast, wonderful film.

You can find this great film (with its outstanding cast) on dvd or blu-ray – Jesse James (Amazon link) or watch it on Prime Video.

Nancy Kelly, Tyrone Power, and Henry Fonda in Jesse James (1939)

July 25, 2022 By Joi

Nancy Kelly, Tyrone Power, and Henry Fonda

One of my favorite Westerns is the 1939 Jesse James. I love the cast, the directing (Henry King never disappoints), the scenery every darn thing about it. The only drawbacks are I don’t get my fairy-tale happy ending (obviously!) and each time I watch this movie, I’m left with the same agonizing question each time… How was Nancy Kelly not given more roles?! My goodness she was wonderful. Beautiful, talented, and had an extra onscreen spark.

If you haven’t seen Nancy in very many films, I highly recommend seeking her out.

The cast also includes Randolph Scott, Henry Hull, Slim Summerville, John Carradine, Donald Meek, and Jane Darwell.

You can find this great film (with its outstanding cast) on dvd or blu-ray – Jesse James (Amazon link) or watch it on Prime Video.

Henry Fonda, Victor Mature, and Linda Darnell: My Darling Clementine (1946)

July 18, 2022 By Joi

Henry Fonda and Victor Mature, My Darling Clementine

The wonderful 1946 Western My Darling Clementine (directed by the legendary John Ford) comes up A LOT in my old Hollywood conversations.

It’s one of my top three favorite westerns.
It’s my favorite Victor Mature role and performance.
It’s one of my favorite Henry Fonda Roles.
It’s my favorite Linda Darnell performance.
It’s one of my favorite John Ford movies – in the top three.

It’s absolutely perfect and I couldn’t possibly love it any more than I do. While Fonda is perfect in the role of Wyatt Earp and Linda Darnell gives the film a lot of heart and soul as Chihuahua, I have to kind of single out Victor Mature for the job he does in bringing Doc Holliday to life. His portrayal is, in my opinion, the best – no actor can touch what he did with the role.

The cast also includes Cathy Downs as Clementine (she makes a lot out of a very small role and leaves you completely understanding Wyatt Earp’s fascination), Ward Bond, Time Holt, Jane Darwell, and Walter Brennan as most of us are unaccustomed to seeing him.. NASTY! He does a great job as a villain, even though it seems odd rooting against him instead of for him.

You can find My Darling Clementine on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Linda Darnell and Victor Mature, My Darling Clementine

BOTD in 1905, One of the Best Actors of All Time… Henry Fonda

May 16, 2022 By Joi

James Stewart and Henry Fonda in The Cheyenne Social Club

Henry Fonda has, along with James Stewart, been my favorite actor for as long as I can remember. I must have seen It’s a Wonderful Life and Spencer’s Mountain around the same time as a little girl, because they ascended to the top of the list at the same time and neither has ever slipped. In fact, the more films of theirs I saw, the better foothold they established!

Henry Fonda was born on this day in Nebraska in 1905. His first film was The Farmer Takes a Wife in 1935, followed by Way Down East and I Dream too Much (also 1935).

Henry Fonda and Janet Gaynor, The Farmer Takes a Wife

Whenever someone asks for recommendations when tackling an individual star’s’ filmography, Henry Fonda is always one of the first names out of my mouth or off of my fingertips. He made some extraordinary movies and his filmography is simply a great deal of fun. He never failed to give a wonderful performance and almost always walked away as the biggest standout and star of the movie he was in. Some stars, of course, hung with him and maintained an equal footing (Barbara Stanwyck, James Stewart, Ann Dvorak, Vincent Price, Victor Mature, Bette Davis, Maureen O’Hara..) but none ever outshined him.

In all fairness, Barbara Bed Geddes came darn close in The Long Night!

Henry Fonda, simply put, was one of the most talented actors to ever step in front of a camera. If it weren’t for his friend and partner at the top of my personal favorite’s list, James Stewart, I would say he was the absolute best male actor to ever live. As it is, he has company in this regard – and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind one bit.

Henry Fonda, Behind the Scenes of The Grapes of Wrath

James Stewart and Henry Fonda: The Cheyenne Social Club (I LOVE this film so much!)

December 17, 2021 By Joi

James Stewart and Henry Fonda

If you know anything about my old Hollywood favorites, you know that James Stewart and Henry Fonda are two of my favorite all-time actors (male… I make this distinction because many people have taken to calling ALL actors and actresses “actors”). While I have other favorites (John Wayne, Melvyn Douglas, James Garner, Humphrey Bogart to name a few), these two never budge from the top two spots.

It just occurred to me, this seems like a particularly unusual post among all the Christmas ones, doesn’t it?! Can’t help it… I’m unusual, myself, so I gravitate to the unusual.

I recently revisited this wonderful movie, which explains why it’s on my mind. It’s absolutely wonderful and the entire cast is outstanding – particularly Henry Fonda, James Stewart, Shirley Jones, and Sue Ane Langdon.

Shirley Jones

The wonderful James Stewart and Henry Fonda (who happened to be very close friends) made three movies together:

On Our Merry Way (1948)
Firecreek (1968)
The Cheyenne Social Club (1970)

I wish they had made more, but this fan will take what she can get!

The hilarious and FUN The Cheyenne Social Club (1970) is my favorite of the three but, as you could guess, I love all three. The Cheyenne Social Club was directed by the legendary actor Gene Kelly (not gonna lie, this has always fascinated me) and also stars Shirley Jones, Sue Ane Langdon, Dabs Greer, Elaine Devry, Jackie Joseph (best-remembered as Ramona, Ernest T. Bass’ girlfriend on The Andy Griffith Show), Jackie Russell, and Sharon DeBord.

Robert Middleton, Henry Fonda, and James Stewart

You can find a James Stewart and Henry Fonda “Double Feature” DVD Set on Amazon – The Cheyenne Social Club and Firecreek (Amazon link). When you’re two favorite actors are Henry Fonda and James Stewart like mine are, this is just the kind of double feature you’re looking for!

Shirley Jones and James Stewart

James Stewart and Henry Fonda: Absolute Perfection in The Cheyenne Social Club

August 22, 2021 By Joi

James Stewart and Henry Fonda

One of my favorite movies is the 1970 comedy western The Cheyenne Social Club. Given that three of my all-time favorite stars (Henry Fonda, James Stewart, and Shirley Jones) are in the film, it sort of makes sense, doesn’t it?!

If you haven’t seen this one in a while, I strongly recommend a revisit – it’s outrageous fun and downright hilarious. Watch the expressions (especially early in the film!) of Henry Fonda and James Stewart – they are absolutely priceless. If you’ve NEVER seen this one, do yourself a favor and find it right away! You won’t regret a single minute.

You can find a James Stewart and Henry Fonda “Double Feature” DVD Set on Amazon – The Cheyenne Social Club and Firecreek (Amazon link). These are two of the three films the close friends made together, with 1948’s On Our Merry Way being the other (and first).

Henry Fonda and James Stewart, The Cheyenne Social Club

Henry Fonda, Barbara Stanwyck, and Preston Sturges: Behind the Scenes of The Lady Eve

August 9, 2021 By Joi

Henry Fonda, Barbara Stanwyck, and Preston Sturges Behind the Scenes of The Lady Eve (1941)

I’m fairly certain I’ve mentioned this before (and I’m equally certain I’m about to do it again)…. Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck are two of my absolute favorites. Top tier, never say a negative thing about them in my presence favorites. Which is why I am head over heels in love with the fact that they not only made several movies together, but one of them in particular is one of my all time favorite films. Nothing against The Mad Miss Manton (their adorable first film), but The Lady Eve is an absolute work of perfection.

As in every single minute.

I also love the fact that it’s apparent they enjoyed working together. It comes through every scene and it’s just delicious.

Speaking of delicious – I will never (and I mean never) get over the fact that they were holding hands in this adorable behind the scenes picture. I’m also never getting over how cute she is in her hat, but that’s for another day.