The Araner: Decoding John Ford | The Plot Thickens (S5 E2) | TCM

[@azohundred1353]

Hearing the behind-the-scenes of The Grapes Of Wrath, Stagecoach, and The Informer was very interesting. However harsh his directing style was, he did manage to bring out some of the greatest performances from both John Wayne and Henry Fonda, which I think was the whole point. A method to the madness, if you will. John Ford's life in itself seemed to be very movie-like, between his directing of iconic, groundbreaking cinema, yacht spying, rallying, and service. I think Katharine Hepburn was spot-on about her characterizations of Ford. This has been a great series thus far. Well done, TCM!

[@jubalcalif9100]

Well said and well put. Thanks for sharing a refreshingly astute, insightful & perceptive comment with us.

[@FIREBRAND38]

I have to admit at the end of the second episode that I had my doubts about this one because just about everyone that ever knew John Ford would be dead. The story you've been able to tell with existing interviews is amazing.

[@jubalcalif9100]

I certainly have a notion to second THAT emotion!

[@lynnturman8157]

You left out a very important reason why John Ford picked on John Wayne in Stagecoach. Wayne was surrounded by all these veteran actors who weren't particularly supportive of this newcomer who was being handed the whole movie in an obviously star-making role. So Ford purposefully was mean to Wayne so that the rest of the cast would be empathetic to Wayne & be supportive of him & help to make his performance in the movie better. Which was Ford's intent.

[@j1st633]

Wonderful production. Didn't realize how many people produced this.

[@QueenOfTheNorth65]

It’s so hard to believe that The Grapes of Wrath was once considered controversial.

[@markodjuric4282]

Thank you for this series! This one and on Peter Bogdanovich are my favourites! Masterpieces!

[@juanbarraza1490]

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m watching Stagecoach right now.

[@judygiesbrecht8297]

Great job TCM. Looking forward to the next episode. ❤️🇨🇦

[@dsnyguy1]

Wonderful! Thanks Ben!

[@jubalcalif9100]

I heartily concur!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Director Peter Bogdanovich had the temerity to ask John Ford about his style: "How did you manage to get those amazing wide shots?!" "............................................................... _[chomps cigar]_ .................... I dunno."

[@KohalaLover]

Jeez TCM, a few photos from Ford’s movies would be appreciated. Stagecoach was an amazing film. Never been a Western fan but Stagecoach blew it out of the water.

[@karlkarlos3545]

it's a podcast.

[@KohalaLover]

@@karlkarlos3545 Oh, thank you. My mistake.

[@et2petty]

What is the emblem on the hat in the cover painting of Mr. Ford? And who does the artwork? Kind regards , Scott Rowland in Texas.

[@jonathanstmartin]

I wonder if its like some sort of naval patch.

[@FIREBRAND38]

@@jonathanstmartin Answering a question with a question? If you don't know don't guess.

[@FIREBRAND38]

The emblem is pretty well reproduced from the original photo. At top is a US Civil War era Infantry Bugle, crossed rifles and the number 17 below that. I have no idea why Ford, a Navy man would be wearing an Army cap badge. I can tell you that the photo this was made from was taken in 1945 on the set of _They Were Expendable._

[@jonathanstmartin]

@@FIREBRAND38 And there is no reason to make snippy comments, yet you choose to do so

[@FIREBRAND38]

@@jonathanstmartin Answering when you don't know what you're talking about is plenty of reason.

[@williamowen9528]

Ive always been fascinated by John Ford after finding out he punched Henry Fonda while working on Mr. Roberts. This was so wonderful to listen to. Thank you, Ben, for bringing this to us.

[@debrabader806]

He was a brilliant drunk, Director Debra Bader

[@debrabader806]

John Ford made some great movies, but he could be a phony too. Debra Bader.

[@SueProv]

The story that Maureen O'hara tells about Ford and a Hollywood actor kissing when she walked in on him in the Long Gray Line hints at perhaps a closeted lifestyle. The actor could have been Tyrone Power who costarred in the movie with her.

[@jubalcalif9100]

As I do when I take off my hat, you make a good point.

[@Rubi-ll8ss]

Hey Ben John Wayne was a draft dodger during Ww2. Whereas, Lew Ayers was punished for his stance as a Conciencious Objector, Wayne was rewarded for his draft dodging. By the way, Ayres was a war Hero as a medic. He contracted Dengue Fever. . . .. ..

[@Nancy-zb3ww]

Very true. Many people consider Wayne a great American because he played many characters who were. Not only was he a draft dodger, he may have kept his activities anonymous, but I have not found any evidence that he did anything to help the war effort or comfort members of the service stateside, such as bond selling or Hollywood Canteen activities.

[@Mike-wr7om]

Ford's streak of masterpieces from '39 through '41 is the greatest streak in film history: in '39, Young Mr. Lincoln, Drums Along the Mohawk, and Stagecoach; in '40, The Grapes of Wrath; in '41, How Green Was My Valley. To me, those 3 years are John Ford at his absolute creative peak, which also happens to be the peak of Hollywood filmmaking, in my opinion.

[@Rubi-ll8ss]

What about My Darling Clementine, which is playing on The Movies Channel. If you look hard enough, you can find it.

[@Mike-wr7om]

@@Rubi-ll8ss My Darling Clementine is one of my all-time favorite movies, but it was released in '46 (I believe), whereas in my comment, I was speaking about the years '39 through '41.

[@Rubi-ll8ss]

Mike, you can watch Clementine on the movies channel which on Spectrum is on number 1261. Their library is impressive. Right now they are playing Cat Balue. On Thursday and Sunday evenings, they play Noir Classics, which are many times culled by the Fox Library.

[@Mike-wr7om]

@@Rubi-ll8ss I love that channel, too. I always check it to see what they're playing. You're right, they play some really good stuff!

[@FIREBRAND38]

21:00 "A six-shooter rifle"? Really? A Winchester Model 92 Trapper _a six-shooter?_ Tell me you don't know anything about firearms without saying it. I think you meant to say Twirling a rifle *like* a six-shooter.

[@TheVid54]

Ford's fetishes were more than evident in most of his films. He was certainly an interesting director, but definitely a creepy person.