The racaial overtones were secondary to me for the most part-even though I am a person of color. I saw it at the drive-in when I was eight. It was as an adult that I viewed it with real enjoyment. Did you note the look of horror on Mary Beecher's face as the killer expressed his lust for young Lucy? Hitchcock must have grinned. Strode's performance still makes me stand a little taller...
To me a classic.
I think this is one of Ford's best pictures. Woody Strode in another era could have easily been the Clint Eastwood of the time. He was such a naturally gifted actor. He could say more with just a glance than most modern actors could ever dream.
From what I've read, Strode and Ford were close in real life. They both collected Pacific Island art and sculpture (Strode's wife was Hawaiian). And apparently when Ford was in his last weeks, he and Strode spoke by phone nearly every day.
"We're fighting for this woman's honor, which is more than she ever did."
I love Strode. I am fond of just about all of the Ford Stock Company people. They are a part of the fabric of American culture during the 40 years in the middle of the last century. I am always nonplussed by the idiocy of people today who try to judge yesterday's art by today's standards. Try doing that with the automobiles, food, technology and other social norms, and see how that works for you. I recommend that people who have no intimate connection with a soul who was alive before the Second World War stay completely away from such fare and stick to X-box, American Idol and Ben Affleck. If they crave "oldies" I always suggest Seinfeld and Grunge music. Cheers and viva John Ford!
shareAccording to Goal Dust, Woody Strode's autobiography, he and Ford first met when he was playing at UCLA, where Ford's sons played football. They kept in touch during World War II but didn't meet again until after the war (Ford was a commander in the Navy, filming major battles like Midway, while Strode protected airfields on Pacific atolls from Japanese saboteurs, leading to the deep scar on his right hand from a bayonet).
Though Strode began his acting career in 1951, he and Ford didn't work together until Sergeant Rutledge in 1960. Strode was so busy filming movies between 1954 and 1960, often several per year, that Ford had to fly him to and from the sets of Spartacus and The Last Voyage (in Japan) to do Sergeant Rutledge.
When Ford's health failed him, Strode actually became his caretaker for four months and was present at Ford's passing.
I admire Mr Strode as much as anyone. A fine screen presence and a fine screen actor. However, I think his dialogue delivery too often wooden. He couldn't handle a lead role with its speaking demands.Perhaps if he were to speak in contemporary language I would be shown to be wrong.
You are very right in noting the eloquence of his glance and silent expression.
Anyway, Strode raises up the quality of every scene in every film he has ever been in.
LL
Combining a Western and Perry Mason with a social/racial commentary (without being too preachy) could have been a mess, but John Ford hit a home run with this movie in my opinion. I'm glad you mentioned Hitchcock, because I was thinking of him throughout the movie. He had a formula that would throw a dash of comic relief in from time to time to give the audience a break/breather, thankfully there was a good dose of that in the film too.
shareTonight: first time viewing of this film. I was impressed!
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JimHutton (1934-79) & ElleryQueen
Watched the film yesterday for the first time in years. Strode may not have been a "trained" actor, but during his speech about "The 9th Cavalry was my home!" I broke down and bawled. Had to pause the DVD to pull myself together.
"May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?"