Stagecoach

1. Stagecoach was directed by John Ford and produced in 1939. After viewing this movie, I was able to see the correlation between the film and our in class discussion. Chosen character types did not fit the overall societal stigma placed upon them. This faired, both, positively and negatively. A good example is that of the character Dallas who was being driven out of town because she was a prostitute. The general assumption of prostitutes is that they are not good people. In Dallas’ case, she was a very kind and helpful person. This character serves as a complex character in that she redeems herself during the course of the movie. On the other hand, some characters did not fit the societal ideals of their “type.” The banker in the Stagecoach should have been an upstanding citizen; however, we see that he is far from that. Rather than protecting the investments the people of his community have made, he steals their money and left town.

In class it was taught that John Ford was an Irish Catholic and he valued decency, family, and the law and he believed that mankind could prevail. His work embodied the council’s regulations on decency. Ford’s values can be seen throughout the film. The salesman was shown speaking of his family and wanting to get back to them numerous times. We saw the gambler protecting women in several scenes in the movie. The birth of Mrs. Mallory’s child was never shown on film, but it tied together the idea of a family and her search for her military husband. The idea that man can prevail is seen within most of the characters. The banker is an example of how external law does not apply in all circumstances and this idea can be applied to all of the complex characters.

2. http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/91227/Stagecoach/articles.html
This article was found on tcm.com and was written by James Steffen. (Most of my information was taken from the second article on the webpage but the information regarding the inclusion of the Navajo Indians was taken from the first article so-authored by Scott McGee. )
Stagecoach was John Ford’s first Western since 1926 and the source material for the film was Ernest Haycox’s short story “Stage to Lordsburg.” “Ford bought the rights for $7,500 and long time collaborator Dudley Nichols wrote the adaptation.” Ford took him film to several large studios and he got turned down by all of them. Finally, Walter Wanger, an independent producer, took on the project and granted Ford a low budget of $500,000. The low budget meant that everyone had to take a smaller pay. Ford had been looking for an actor to play Ringo kid and eventually offered the role to John Wayne while on a weekend boating trip. Yakima Canutt was John Ford’s stuntman in the film and he delivered amazing scenes. Because of Canutt, the scene where the stagecoach floats across the river was made possible. Everyone else, including the technicians said this was impossible, but Canutt made it happen. He is also responsible for the nail-biting scene during the Indian attack on the stagecoach. Canutt jumps from his horse to the band of horses leading the stagecoach. He is shot and falls between the horses then lets go and the stagecoach passes over him. This scene could have been deadly if done wrong. Regarding locations, very little of this film was shot in Monument Valley. An interesting fact is that Ford employed over 200 local Indians to carry out the execution of the Apache warriors attack on the stagecoach. Browsing other articles, I read that this area was experiencing high unemployment rates. Ford paid them union rates and the Navajo’s referred to Ford as “tall leader.” Most scenes were shot in California in a studio and in Hollywood backlots.

3. Having learned that Ford provided opportunity to the Navajo Indians, I have a greater respect for him. Also, it was interesting to learn how dangerous certain scenes were. Knowing how much effort was put into this film, it is easy to see how it was nominated for so many Academy Awards and is seen as “one of the most admired and imitated of all Hollywood movies.” In class, it was pointed out that this film could ruin Ford’s career. Western films were not in style anymore and one of the lead roles was to be played by a B-list actor. This gives reason for why so many large Hollywood studios turned down Ford’s proposal for the film.

4. With Westerners going out the door in Hollywood and so much competition in the late 1930’s, it was essential for Ford to create a film that exceeded peoples expectations. After reviewing all of the material for this film and then watching it, there is abundant proof of how much effort was put into the movie. It is a very well thought out production with amazing stunts. This is the movie that boosted John Ford’s career. It also aided in the career of the actor who played Ringo Kid, John Wayne, who was originally frowned upon for inclusion in this film. With Ford’s religious beliefs it was easy for Stagecoach to get the seal of approval from the council. The action keeps the audience on their toes and the use of the stagecoach driver provided a break from the seriousness in the film.