Came across this the other day: John Ford’s screen credit from The Searchers (1956) emblazoned across the front of a t-shirt.
This is a very, very cool thing. If this blog had a uniform, this might be it.
Archive for the ‘John Wayne’ Category
50s Westerns Apparel News: Directed By John Ford T-Shirt.
Posted in 1956, John Ford, John Wayne on March 2, 2018| 5 Comments »
The Liquidation Of Alamo Village.
Posted in Denver Pyle, Hank Worden, John Dierkes, John Wayne, Locations/Ranches, Richard Boone, Richard Widmark, William H. Clothier on December 24, 2017| 12 Comments »
For years, I’ve had a feeling this was coming. And now that it’s here — the Alamo Village is being liquidated in January, I’m reminded of the sad state of John Wayne’s pet project. The original negative’s rotting away, and nothing’s being done to preserve it. And the DVD of the film that’s available is tolerable at best. It’s shameful.
I’ve never visited Alamo Village in Brackettville. Always wanted to. And if I could make it out for this sale, I would — and I’d buy something. Anything. That way, I’d know there was one tiny piece of the whole thing being protected.
Happy Birthday, Vera Miles.
Posted in 1956, John Ford, John Wayne, Vera Miles on August 23, 2017| 6 Comments »
Vera June Miles
(Born August 23, 1929)
In a film filled with one incredible image after another, this is one of my favorites. So when I realized this was Vera Miles’ birthday, there was nothing else that would do. Of course that’s a frame from John Ford’s The Searchers (1956). Ford can somehow say more in a single frame than others can get in an entire feature.
Vera Miles appears in a few of the finest films ever made: The Searchers, Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) and Ford’s The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). Not a bad run, huh? (Wichita ain’t too shabby, either.)
Happy Birthday, Maureen O’Hara
Posted in 1950, John Ford, John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Republic Pictures on August 17, 2017| 2 Comments »
Maureen O’Hara (born Maureen FitzSimons)
(August 17, 1920 – October 24, 2015)
The great Maureen O’Hara was born 97 years ago today.
Here she is with John Wayne in John Ford’s Rio Grande (1950). They made it largely to get the chance to make The Quiet Man (1952), but they knocked out a masterpiece anyway. It doesn’t get near the recognition it deserves.
Screening: The Searchers (1956) And Stagecoach (1939).
Posted in 1956, Festivals, screenings, Hank Worden, Harry Carey Jr., Jeffrey Hunter, John Ford, John Wayne, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, Warner Bros. on July 7, 2017| 25 Comments »
There’s not a lot I need to say here, is there? Two of the finest Westerns ever made — John Ford’s Stagecoach (1939) and The Searchers (1956), both starring John Wayne — will run at New York’s Film Forum on Monday, August 28th.
And yes, that’s one of the coolest photos to ever turn up on this blog.
Take A Tour Of Republic Pictures. No, Really.
Posted in John Wayne, Republic Pictures on June 30, 2017| 8 Comments »
Someone just sent me the press release on this. (Thanks, Terry!) It’s a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a dream come true, or the best day of your life. Depends on how you wanna look at it.
What: Once in a lifetime chance for a private Tour of CBS Studio Center (formerly Republic Studios) & July 4th Celebration
Where: 4024 Radford Ave. Studio City, CA 91604
When: Tuesday July 4th at 5 pm (arrive early to allow time for security check and parking)
How much: $1,000 per person
Only 10 tickets available on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets will only be sold online. https://www.freshtix.com/events/4th-of-july-fireworks-festival-2-2
Get a behind the scenes tour of the historic CBS Studio Center (formerly Republic Studios) backlot given by none other than Studio Center President Michael Klausman.
In the early 1920s silent film producer and director Mack Sennett relocated his movie studio to southern California and the neighborhood around the studio became known as Studio City. The Mack Sennett Studios produced movies featuring the Keystone Kops, Charlie Chaplin and Fatty Arbuckle before becoming Republic Studios. Republic launched the careers of Bette Davis, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne and many others. Today the studio is known as CBS Studio Center. Past and present shows filmed on the lot include Gilligan’s Island, Gunsmoke, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, CSI New York, Will And Grace, Seinfeld, Brooklyn Nine Nine, Hot In Cleveland, Last Man Standing and many others.
Public tours of the studio are not available, so this is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in film and television history. You will see the open air space where John Wayne showered, Seinfeld‘s Central Park, and Leave It To Beaver‘s house, among many other iconic locations.
The tour begins at 5 pm before the Fourth of July celebration and guests will be taken around the lot on studio golf carts. Preferential parking will be provided. Space is limited to ten participants. After the tour enjoy our VIP July 4th celebration on stage 15 with a meal, sampling stations of food and alcohol from various local restaurants, caricature artists, facepainters and more! Then take your seat on the roof of the parking structure for the view of the best fireworks in Los Angeles.
Tickets are available https://www.freshtix.com/events/4th-of-july-fireworks-festival-2-2. Click on VIP plus Private Lot Tour w/Studio President
Please call 818-655-5916 if you have any questions.
Boy, I’d love to take my family to this thing.
Happy Birthday, John Wayne.
Posted in 1959, John Wayne on May 26, 2017| 22 Comments »
Marion Mitchell Morrison (born Marion Robert Morrison)
May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979
John Wayne was born 110 years ago today. Seems like a good reason to watch Rio Bravo (1959), doesn’t it?
50s Westerns DVD/Blu-ray News #237: The Best Of 2016.
Posted in 1950, 1952, 1954, 20th Century-Fox, Barton MacLane, Ben Johnson, Beverly Garland, Budd Boetticher, Burt Kennedy, Claud Akins, Criterion, DVD/Blu-Ray News, Edwin L. Marin, Elisha Cook, Jr., Ernest Borgnine, Frank Ferguson, Fritz Lang, Gregory Peck, Hank Worden, Harry Morgan, Jesse Hibbs, Joel McCrea, John Ford, John Ireland, John Wayne, Katy Jurado, Kino Lorber, Monogram/Allied Artists, Nancy Gates, Nicholas Ray, Olive Films, Paul Fix, Post-1959, Pre-1950, Randolph Scott, Republic Pictures, Richard Widmark, RKO, Scott Brady, Sterling Hayden, Thomas Carr, Universal (International), Warner Archive, Wayne Morris, William Wellman, Zane Grey on January 27, 2017| 15 Comments »
Back in 2014, gathering everybody’s favorite DVD and Blu-Ray picks for the year turned out to be a lot of fun. It’s since become an annual thing.
Thanks to everybody who sent in their picks for 2016. This was a great year for 50s Westerns on DVD and Blu-Ray (and 2017 is shaping up to be just as good, or maybe better). Here’s the Top 10, according to your votes.
10. Desperado (1954, Warner Archive, DVD)
It was a tie between this Wayne Morris picture and his earlier Desert Pursuit (1952). They’re both solid, offbeat little Westerns — and it’s real treat to have them available in such stellar condition.
9. Yellow Sky (1948, Kino Lorber, Blu-Ray)
Thanks to William Wellman, we didn’t have to wait till the 50s for Hollywood to start making 50s Westerns. The town of Yellow Sky is populated by only an old prospector and his daughter — until some slimy outlaws come riding up.
8. Western Union (1941, Kino Lorber, Blu-Ray)
Randolph Scott in Fritz Lang’s second Technicolor movie. There’s so much cool stuff in this movie, and it looks wonderful.
7. Black Horse Canyon (1954, Universal Vault, DVD)
For years, Joel McCrea’s Universal Westerns were missing on DVD. It’s great to have them so easy to track down. This is a good one.
6. Comanche Station (1960, Explosive Media, Blu-Ray)
The last of the Scott-Boetticher Westerns turns out to be the first to make its way to Blu-Ray, and as I see it, the others can’t get here soon enough. This thing’s incredible.
5. She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1948, Warner Archive, Blu-Ray)
John Ford’s She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1948, above) is one of the most beautiful color movies ever shot. The proof is pressed oh-so-magnificently into this Blu-Ray. It also features one of John Wayne’s finest performances.
4. Roughshod (1949, Warner Archive, DVD)
This gets my vote as the best of the “noir Westerns.” I was real happy to see the response this picture got. It’s a shame it’s not better known.
3. Cariboo Trail (1950, Kino Lorber, DVD/Blu-Ray)
The transfer here is a minor miracle, demonstrating how good CineColor can look. They wisely didn’t go overboard with the cleanup, so it still retains its true film look. And, of course, this is a solid picture from Edwin Marin and Randolph Scott.
2. Johnny Guitar (1954, Olive Films Signature Edition, DVD/Blu-Ray)
Olive’s new Signature edition is a marked improvement over their old release, which was terrific. The restored 1.66 framing makes a big difference, and the supplemental stuff is excellent.
1. One-Eyed Jacks (1961, Criterion Collection, DVD/Blu-Ray)
Opinions of Marlon Brando’s Western are all over the place, so I was really surprised to see it land in the top spot. However, judging it simply in terms of its superb presentation, I don’t see how anything could beat it. It’s stunning, a big fat reward to all of us who’ve suffered through those awful tapes and discs over the years. I’m proud and honored to have been involved with Criterion’s work here. (Note: Having worked on the One-Eyed Jacks extras, I did not feel comfortable taking part in the vote this time around.)
In closing, the discs on this list highlight the impact the video presentation can have on our appreciation of these old movies. Many of these have been available, in some form, for years. One more thing: your reasons for not buying a Blu-Ray player are rapidly running out.
Pre-50s Westerns DVD/Blu-Ray News #222B: Dakota (1945).
Posted in DVD/Blu-Ray News, John Wayne, Kino Lorber, Lydecker Brothers, Republic Pictures, Rod Cameron, Vera Ralston, Walter Brennan, Ward Bond on January 3, 2017| 7 Comments »
Directed by Joseph Kane
Starring John Wayne, Vera Hruba Ralston, Walter Brennan, Ward Bond
Kino Lorber has announced a March 21 release date for Dakota (1945), a John Wayne Republic directed by Joe Kane. Ward Bond, Walter Brennan, Nick Stewart and Mike Mazurki round out the cast — along with Vera Ralston. It was shot by the great Jack Marta, and the special effects come courtesy of the mighty Lydecker Brothers.
The DVD and Blu-Ray will include a trailer and a commentary by some guy named Toby Roan.
UPDATE 1/4/2017: Kino Lorber has also announced an upcoming release of the Republic noir picture The Man Who Died Twice (1958), which starred Rod Cameron and Vera Ralston — and was shot in Naturama.
October’s Looking Like A Good Month So Far.
Posted in John Wayne on October 5, 2016| 7 Comments »
50 Westerns From The 50s. 