John Ford | Hollywood Yesterday

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

Walter Pidgeon and Maureen O’Hara, How Green Was My Valley

August 4, 2022 By Joi

Maureen O’Hara and Walter Pidgeon

Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O’Hara, Anna Lee, Donald Crisp, and Roddy McDowall lead an excellent cast in the 1941 epic, How Green Was My Valley (directed by John Ford).

This was the first movie Maureen O’Hara made with legendary John Ford. They’d go on to make Rio Grande (1950), The Quiet Man (1952), The Long Gray Line (1955), and The Wings of Eagles (1957). The Long Gray Line and How Green Was My Valley were their only two films that didn’t also star the larger than life John Wayne!

You can find How Green Was My Valley on dvd and blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch the VERY highly rated drama on Prime Video.

Maureen O’Hara, Roddy McDowall, and Anna Lee

Maureen O’Hara, Behind the Scenes of The Long Gray Line (1955)

July 5, 2020 By Joi

Maureen O’Hara, The Long Gray Line

The lovely picture above is Maureen O’Hara, behind the scenes of The Long Gray Line. The 1955 film (which can be downright impossible to find on television) was directed by John Ford and also stars Tyrone Power, Robert Francis, Ward Bond, Donald Crisp, Betsey Palmer, Phil Carey, Milburn Stone, Harry Carey, Jr, and Peter Graves.

The movie can also be an absolute nightmare to find on dvd. The only place I’ve found it is on Amazon, as part of a John Ford collection: John Ford – The Columbia Films Collection (link to the collection on Amazon).

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Publicity Photos

May 23, 2020 By Joi

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Publicity Photo

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) is one of my favorite Westerns. How could it NOT be? It was directed by the legend, himself, John Ford and stars James Stewart, John Wayne, Lee Marvin, John Carradine, Vera Miles, Denver Pyle, Strother Martin, Andy Devine…

One beloved favorite after another.

Successful lawyer Ransom (James Stewart) heads into the Wild West outpost of Shinbone to bring local outlaw Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin) to justice. Along the way, he is met by a posse led by Valance, who beat him within an inch of his life. Passing cowboy Tom Doniphon (John Wayne) rescues Ransom, gets him set up in Shinbone and supports his efforts to be elected sheriff. Meanwhile, he also attempts to teach his clumsy new friend the fundamentals of gunfighting, so that Valance may at last be brought to justice.

If you’ve never seen this classic Western, I hope you’ll check it out as soon as possible. If you HAVE seen it (even multiple times, like myself), I hope you’ll revisit the colorful characters soon.

You can find The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance on dvd or Blu-Ray on Amazon or watch the wonderful Western on Prime Video.

Picture of the Day: Constance Towers, William Holden, and John Wayne

December 7, 2019 By Joi

Constance Towers, John Wayne, and William Holden in The Horse Soldiers

When John Ford and John Wayne got together, magic happened. Add in William Holden and Constance Towers and things are even more magical. The Horse Soldiers (1959) was John Ford’s only film that took place during the Civil War (although he did direct a segment of How the West Was Won (1962) that was set during the Civil War.)

I love historical dramas – one of the reasons, I suppose, is the fact that I’m a history buff. Another reason is the wonderful costumes and sets. The costumes from The Horse Soldiers certainly do not disappoint, especially when it comes to the ridiculously beautiful, graceful, and regal Constance Towers. Seriously, every time I see this actress from her films or television roles, I always think the same thing… “She HAS to be descended from royalty!”

I hate that today’s picture of the day doesn’t show her beautiful face more clearly. I have no idea why she’s so smoky. I tried putting a few effects on the photo to make the fogginess go away, but only made it worse, so I reverted back to the image you see. If I ever find a better version, I will come back and add it.

You can find The Horse Soldiers on Amazon.