Character Actor Of The Day is something I’ve been meaning to kick off for a while, and when discussion of the great Frank Ferguson (1906-1978) cropped up the other day, I knew I’d waited too long.
As a kid, I came to know Ferguson as Mr. McDougal, owner of the house of horrors in Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). Once he was on my radar, it became obvious he’s in just about everything (as a gauge, the IMDB gives him 600 credits). He’s seen here with Joan Crawford in Johnny Guitar (1954), one of the many 50s Westerns that benefitted from his (often-uncredited) presence.
The other day, Blake Lucas called Ferguson “essential,” and that’s the perfect word for him. Boy, I would’ve loved to interview him.
Toby, it’s a great idea to highlight and honor these character actors who played such a significant, if frequently unsung, role in making these movies memorable.
Frank Ferguson is one of those faces that you can’t help but be familiar with, even if his name is more elusive to many.
You’re right, Colin. Lately, with stuff like Powder River, I’m really able to appreciate how much these men and women bring to these movies. Regardless of budget or schedule or amount of screen time, they give it their all — doing a lot more for the film than the film probably did for them.
We have to honor these people.
If I’d known you were going to post this with his picture, I wouldn’t have felt the need to post earlier. Because I’m sure the confusion of “Johnny Guitar” (the guy, not the movie) would have ended when he saw the still.
But I just have to say, the moment in the movie “Johnny Guitar” above happens to be the moment I first think of when I think of Ferguson. It’s not just because of him, but because it’s emblematic of how actors should play a movie that some people are going to say is “campy” “demented” “bizarre” “ridiculous.” They should play it absolutely seriously, the way Frank Ferguson does when he jumps to the stage, his marshal finally pulling himself together and facing the mob, bravely if a little anxiously and says something like “I’m taking Vienna and Turkey to town…” (meaning to lock them in jail, rather than let them be lynched and I wish I could remember these lines because they are this character’s last). Anyway, there was something sublime about the way he played it, even in context that the whole cast is great and never send up the material. And that’s one reason why “Johnny Guitar” is what it is–and it is so much.
Good point, Blake. Ferguson, like a lot of the character actors of the period, had an amazing range — and a sixth sense about what a scene, or film, needed. Broad when needed, straight when called for, etc.
No wonder so many great directors called on them — and no wonder so many films of this era are so good.
Fantastic, I love this idea for a series in general and focusing on Ferguson in particular.
Great discussion about how Ferguson plays the scene — I recently picked up Olive’s print of JOHNNY GUITAR, which I’ve never seen, so I’ll be watching for him!
Seeing a face like Ferguson’s turn up in a movie really adds something — he’s good even in a tiny part.
Along the lines of good character actors adding to a film, another of my favorites from the ’50s is Arthur Space, who played the doctor in Ray Milland’s A MAN ALONE, one of my favorite Westerns of that era.
Best wishes,
Laura
He was quite wonderful on PEYTON PLACE, playing ex-con Tim O’Connor’s kindly father. Ferguson was perhaps the only cast member who succeeded in passing himself off as a real “ayuh” type New Englander, even though he wasn’t actually from there.
Great great topic. I know we all admire the great supporting actors and Frank Ferguson is a perfect example. As you say, what stories he would have been able to tell. Such a pity people like Frank weren’t interviewed at length .
I remember Ida Lupino calling out “Mr Willows, Mr Willows” (Frank’s character in On Dangerous Ground.)
Couldn’t ever see Frank on the wrong side of the law.
Really great idea Toby,this site has lots of admirers of John Dehner,
James Griffith and Myron Healey so its really good to spotlight other
character greats,and Frank is a neat choice to start the ball rolling.
I am on a real Morris Ankrum kick at the moment.
Off topic,but I notice Simply Media in the UK have just announced a
July release of DAKOTA LIL,ROSE OF CIMARRON and THE
RESTLESS BREED.
They are already up for pre-order on Amazon UK.
These three films are those very hard to find Edward Alperson
productions that were at the time released by Fox.
I do hope DAKOTA LIL is the color version.
ROSE OF CIMARRON is a personal favorite of mine,very old-fashioned
even by 1952 standards,but thats part of its charm.Mala Powers is great
as the avenger who lets her guns do the talking.
RESTLESS BREED I have never seen but its an Allan Dwan picture
which alone makes it of interest to me.Rumored to be not top drawer
Dwan,but I really want to see this one.
I will post updates when I know more;at any rate Simply Media normally
issue quality products.
Most of these Alperson titles are owned by Ignite in Holland and I
understand they hold good quality masters of these films,in fact I
understand they are supplying the hi-def master to Olive Films of
the forthcoming release of THE BIG COMBO
The Alperson film on the missing list is Boettichers THE MAGNIFICENT
MATADOR which was shot in scope and color and stars Maureen O
Hara,Anthony Quinn and Richard Denning.Who owns that one is anyones
guess,though I am sure many others besides myself would love to see it.
.
THE RESTLESS BREED is a really excellent Dwan film, John, and if you haven’t seen it I’m glad you’ll get the chance.
An even better movie to me is THE MAGNIFICENT MATADOR, and I have seen this in scope with good color (a 16 print)–no, it’s not on a level with the more personal BULLFIGHTER AND THE LADY but it’s very good and in many ways quite beautiful.
Morris Ankrum–what a powerful actor, so many good roles, one of the very best being the patriarchal rancher of ALONG THE GREAT DIVIDE.
Blake beat me to praising for The Restless Breed. I’m a HUGE fan of Dwan’s later period, and this one was his last Western. He treats it as comedy, to really amazing results. A very cool, different Western.
I have the old laserdisc, one I’ve been toting around and cherishing for years. Hopefully, the DVD will be widescreen to do justice to Dwan’s staging and John Boyle’s cinematography.
I just knew I saw Frank play a bad guy,and recently too!
In THE MARKSMAN he plays Champ Wiley head of a ruthless gang.
john k wrote,
“Off topic,but I notice Simply Media in the UK have just announced a
July release of DAKOTA LIL,ROSE OF CIMARRON and THE
RESTLESS BREED.
They are already up for pre-order on Amazon UK.”
Hope you’re right about Simply Media issuing quality products. I noticed that two Randolph Scott movies, FIGHTING MAN OF THE PLAINS and THE CARIBOO TRAIL are also included in this bunch. Nice prints of those two films are like hen’s teeth.
Oh, and Frank Ferguson was a card cheat who was gunned down by Arthur Kennedy in BEND OF THE RIVER. I guess that part qualifies as “bad guy.”
It’s disappointing to read that Olive Films has dropped A MAN ALONE and THE LAST COMMAND from the list of films they plan to release on Blu-Ray.
THE RESTLESS BREED showing on 35mm at MoMA later this month, with Evelyn Rudie introducing the screening, no less:
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/films/1374
That Dwan series is terrific. Scheduling Silver Lode for July 4th weekend is perfect. Wish I could go.
Simply Media have replied to my e-mail and sadly DAKOTA LIL will
be the black & white version.The two Scott movies will be black & white
also because that is how they are listed on Ignites website.
At a guess the Scott films SHOULD be superior to the versions released
in Spain and recently Germany.
I hope sales are good enough with this initial wave to encourage
Simply Media to issue more product from the Ignite catalog.
I am very keen to see BELLE STARRS DAUGHTER released plus the
oddball Alperson production SWORD OF MONTE CRISTO.
I am really interested in the latter title just to see George Montgomery
in a swashbuckler.
Yes Mike,it is really annoying that Olive Films have dropped THE LAST
COMMAND and A MAN ALONE.I do wish someone could convince
Olive that other people apart from The Duke made Westerns.
I hate the fact that the Republic library is owned by Paramount and all
these great films are going to remain unseen;unless of course Warner
Archive come to the rescue.
Sadly,at the moment this Warner/Paramount deal only seems to cover
more recent films not the vintage titles we all want.To make matters even
worse a whole chunk of the Allied Artists library was sold to Republic
so those titles are all lost too.
When I have news on the Simply releases I will post my views here.
Hadn’t heard Olive dropped A MAN ALONE from its plans and am terribly disappointed. As I mentioned up near the top of this thread, it’s one of my favorites — has been since I was a kid. Fortunately I have a good DVD copy from Encore Westerns (miraculously it’s even missing the Encore logo that is so often in the corner), but I would have really liked to have a nice release from Olive (hopefully with some of their nice cover art) to put on my shelf.
Best wishes,
Laura
Also Mr. Frank in The Adventures of Superman episode Lady in Black, and did 5 Andy Griffith Shows.
I just saw Frank Ferguson on his first of 5 appearances on “Jeff’s Collie” (AKA “Lassie”), the “Lassie’s Pups” episode, in which he plays the veterinarian. He is so natural and believable; I would have trusted him with my dog.
Thanks for your entry on him.
I’m afraid that I must dispute your use of 1899 as Frank’s birth year. In researching public records accessible through Ancestry.com, Frank’s birth year of 1906 is reflected in the 1920 and ’30 census; his 1940 Draft registration; his Yuma, Arizona marriage license in 1940 to Ruth; his Los Angeles County marriage license in 1968 to Dorothy, and the Social Security death index.
Thanks for the correction. I’ll fix it.