True Grit a True Class Western Movie

I have not seen the 1969 original movie so I can't compare the two. But set aside the comparison, I would say this movie is one heck of a western/cowboy movie. The movie stars Jeff Bridges as the drunken shoot first ask later Marshall Cogburn. Hailee Steinfeld as the young revenge seeking girl and Matt Damon who plays Laboeuf, for me is sort of the comic relief in the movie.

I had to ask my dad if he has seen the 1969 version of the film and he did, but can't remember much of the detail of the film, all he has to say after watching the 2010 version is that for him its not a remake of the 1969 movie but a complete new story, and the only actor he can remember of the 1969 True Grit is John Wayne and for him John Waynes Cogburn is much better than Jeff Bridges portrayal of Marshall Cogburn. Well that's my dad's own say, but I think Jeff Bridges gave a great performance in the movie and maybe will get a nomination for his effort. I also like the performance of the strong willed girl by Steinfeld although shes not a seasoned actress she did well on this film, and I bet we would see more of this young woman.

If you like collecting DVDs, a copy of this movie would be a great addition to your collection, its not your typical all gun slinging western movie, and the action only pick up until the latter half of the movie. Although it may lack the action pack gun slinging people are used to in a western movie, the movie makes it up with the performance of Bridges and the heavy detailing Ross who would stop at nothing to avenge her father's death and of course Damon(Laboeuf) a Texas ranger who wants respect. Great cinematography and lighting. As I have mentioned earlier the movie maybe slow at times but the movie is fantastic and a great keeper for western movie lovers.

The Quiet Man (1952)

Oh, bonny Ireland. I've never actually been, but I love the whole idea of Ireland. Green luscious landscapes, leprechauns, green-ness. The closest I have ever got to Ireland has been watching The Quiet Man. This film is just a classic in all respects of the word.

The Quiet Man (1952) Dir. John Ford

Cast:

John Wayne as Sean Thornton

Maureen O'Hara as Mary Kate Danaher

Barry Fitzgerald as Michaleen Og Flynn

Victor McLaglen as Squire "Red" Will Danaher

Ward Bond as Father Peter Lonergan

Mildred Natwick as The Widow Sarah Tillane

Francis Ford as Dan Tobin

Arthur Shields as Rev. Cyril Playfair

Plot:
Famous American boxer Sean Thornton decides to trace back his Irish roots to the little town of Innisfree. He buys back his old family cottage, much to the dismay and anger of "Red" Will Danaher who has been trying to buy the property for ages. Walking in the town one morning, Sean meets Danaher's beautiful spinster sister, Mary Kate. They fall for each other, but can't get married without her brother's consent (who still bears a grudge against Sean). But with the help of Father Peter Lonergan and Sean's friend and "matchmaker" Michaleen Og Flynn they convince Danaher that the only reason the wealthy widow Sarah Tillane (whom he loves) won't marry him is because there is another woman in the house.

Meanwhile, Sean is finding it hard to conceal his tragic past as a boxer who accidentally killed his opponent. He thinks that if anyone finds out that he will feel just as bad as he did when in America. The only soul who knows is the Protestant Rev. Playfair (who is great friends with the Catholic preist Father Lonergan, which is strange considering the time period in Ireland...)

Danaher agrees to letting Mary Kate and Sean marry, but after the wedding he finds out that the story about Sarah wanting to marry him once his sister has left his house was a lie, and denies Mary Kate her dowry. Sean cares nothing for the furniture and money that she won't be able to have, but Mary Kate is convinced that without the traditional dowry, she is no married woman. After some friends deliver her furniture the next morning they tell Mary Kate that her brother has let her have them, but not the money. Happy that she has her own things, but still enraged at the prospect of not getting the money, she tries to persuade Sean to go and get it for her. He laughs it off, but the next morning he hears that Mary Kate has left for Dublin because she is ashamed that he won't get the dowry for her and decides he must leave to get her and that they should both confront Danaher. They get the money but throw it into a furnace to show they didn't care. They did it just to prove a point, but not all is happy between Sean and Danaher yet...

Review:
This is how I want Ireland to be. If I get there and Barry Fitzgerald isn't waiting at the station for me and John Wayne doesn't live in a little cottage down the way with Mildred Natwick as a neighbour, I shall be deeply disappointed. I don't even care that it's a kind of mash up of England, Ireland and Scotland. It just looks awesome.

Barry Fitzgerald is completely beyond amazing. I just love him to bits in this film! And can I just say, Mildred Natwick is so good! I love her in Barefoot In The Park and she is about the only thing aside from Shirley MacLaine that is watchable in The Trouble With Harry (sorry Harry fans!). John wayne is great as always and he and Maureen O'Hara go really well together. It reminded me that I have Rooster Cogburn in our Katharine Hepburn box-set and I haven't yet seen it! That'll be one for us to watch over the half term (the British schooling system is so completely complicated compared to the American one that I will just tell you all that a half term is a week-long holiday which started yesterday)! Victor McLaglen was also fantastic as Danaher.

Now I know why there are so many random people in this film! I looked on Wikipedia and found out that the two brothers in the pub who meet John Wayne first are Maureen O'Hara's bothers! Also the children at the horserace who seem to appear out of thin air are John Wayne's children.

Don't smile... we know you smuggled your brothers into the movie. They actually weren't that bad!

*This next part of the review could quite possibly spoil the end for you if you haven't seen it yet, so read at your own peril!*

The fight scene at the end is one of the highlights of the whole movie. I love it that Michaleen starts collecting bets on Danaher and Sean, and when they cut to the police station one of the Policemen asks the other who has just been on the phone, "What did he say?" and the other policeman replies, "he said to put five pounds on Danaher!" It is all so wonderfully choreographed that it just looks natural (well, as natural as some men rolling around in hay and pushing each other into rivers can). There is a great little cameo for the old man who is on his deathbed with the preist's son there and when he hears the fight he jumps out of bed and runs to watch the fight!

The other great scene is the famous scene with Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne at the beginning which is so romantic. Spot the reference in E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial!

John Ford directs it very well, too. Apparently there is some speculation about what Maureen O'Hara says to John Wayne at the end to make him look so surprised, legend has it that John Ford told her something shocking to say to John Wayne and that is why he looks so genuinely shocked! At first she said that she "couldn't possibly say that to Duke (John Wayne)!" but afterwards she told the two Johns who were the only other people to know the line, that they must never tell anyone else what it was.

I would strongly recommend this movie to anyone. It will be great for all of you that just broke up for holidays to watch while your on vacation!

~Bette

Happy Easter To You!

Happy Easter, all! I'm going to watch Easter Parade later today, perfect Easter film :-)

~Bette

Great On Screen Couples: John Wayne & Maureen O'Hara

John Wayne made a lot of films. Something like 142 in which he was the lead. And he starred with a host of actresses, but his best on screen partner had to be Maureen O'Hara. They made five films together between 1950 and 1972: Rio Grande, The Quiet Man, The Wings Of Eagles, McLintock! and Big Jake. They made four really good films and one all time classic (The Quiet Man). The fiery O'Hara was the perfect sparring partner for the rough and tumble Wayne. Their first pairing came with the 1950 western Rio Grande, which was the third film of director John Ford's calvary trilogy (the other two being Fort Apache and She Wore A Yellow Ribbon). This would be the first of Maureen's westerns with Wayne. The other two were Big Jake and the rambunctious McLintock! (which is one of my all time favorites). They switched gears for the military drama The Wings Of Eagles, which was directed by Ford. But the pair's crowning achievement came with the sentimental The Quiet Man, which is beloved by so many fans around the world. This film perfectly captures the love/hate on screen relationship of Wayne and O'Hara. And while the film would lose the Oscar for Best Picture that year, John Ford did take one home for directing. So 5 films and the wonderful chemistry of Big John and the fiery red-headed Maureen provided movie lovers with great cinema and lasting memories.

The Sea Chase(1955)

The Sea Chase (1955) World War II film. Cast John Wayne and Lana Turner. Director: John Farrow. Written by James Warner Bellah. The story is a about Wayne's character who is determined to get his German freighter home, while being chased by British and Australian naval ships.

In the beginning of World War II, at Australia's Sydney Harbor, Commander Jeffrey Napier of the British Navy stops by to see an old family friend, Karl Ehrlich, the German captain of the freighter Ergenstrasse. Even though he does not support the war, Karl remains loyal to his homeland and shows Jeff a German flag, he still holds dear. The Nazis have just invaded Poland and war is about to begin, Jeff discusses with Karl that the British are taking over the Ergenstrasse. Jeff then introduces Karl to his fiancee, Elsa Keller, unaware that they already know each other. When they are alone, Karl tells Elsa to leave Jeff alone or he will tell him about her past. She makes a promise to get even with Karl. Even with shortage of fuel and supplies, Karl is determined to hide from the British and return the Ergenstrasse to Germany. As Karl is leaving, the German General exposes Elsa as a secret agent and orders him to take her with him. You have to watch this cat and mouse game to see what happens next. :)

What got me to watch the film Sea Chase, was out of pure curiosity of the two lead characters, John Wayne and Lana Turner, in a film together. I remember thinking.."Are you kidding me? I have got to see this." For me, it turned out to be a very thought-provoking war film and ladies... Lana Turners wardrobe was fabulous.

Paul's favorite John Wayne(non western films)

I've been putting off doing this but Dawn's post on Miss Day has forced my hand.
So here are my favorites in no order.

The Quiet Man

Hatari

Island In The Sky

The High And The Mighty.

They Were Expendable

In Harms Way

The Longest Day

Mc Q

The Wings Of Eagles

Cast a Giant Shadow

Jet Pilot

The Sands Of Iwo Jima

Blood Alley

The Long Voyage Home

Operation Pacific

Back To Bataan

The Sea Chase.

List of Dawn's favorite John Wayne Movies.

The Shootist (1976)
Rooster Cogburn (1975)
Brannigan (1975)
McQ (1970)
The Train Robbers (1973)
The Cowboys (1972)
Big Jake (1971)
True Grit (1969)
Hellfighters (1968)
The War Wagon (1967)
El Dorado (1966)
The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
McLintock! (1963)
Donovan's Reef (1963)
Hatari! (1962)
Rio Bravo (1959)

Happy Birthday John Wayne

(1907-1979)
Happy Birthday to The Duke today....

John Wayne Collector's Edition Monopoly.

John Wayne Collector's Edition Monopoly:

The Duke and Monopoly...together at last!
Created with fans in mind!
Features exclusive game components!
This John Wayne Collector's Edition Monopoly game features locations significant to the American icon's personal and professional life. The Classic and The Legend Cards replace classic Community Chest and Chance Cards. Includes 6 collectible John Wayne-themed tokens: Cowboy Hat, Belt Buckle, Cowboy Boot, Director's Chair, Duke the Dog and Stagecoach.

Without Reservations (1946).

Without Reservations (1946). Comedy. Director: Mervyn LeRoy, and adapted by Andrew Solt from the novel "Thanks, God! I'll Take It From Here" by Jane Allen and Mae Livingston. Cast: Claudette Colbert and John Wyane.

The story begins when Kit an author travels by train to L.A. to work on the film adaptation of her book. On the way, she finds a Marine, who she believes would be perfect to play the film character. Kit lies about her who she really is when she hears Rusty and his friend, Lieutenant Dink Watson, putting down her book, Here Is Tomorrow. She quickly comes up with the name Kit Klotch and defends the book. While waiting for connecting train to Chicago, Kit receives a telegram from Baldwin, he orders her to keep track of Rusty and Dink. They both decide to leave the station in to buy some rationed whiskey, and Kit ends up missing her train while trying to keep up with them. To avoid revealing who she really is, Kit pretends that she has lost her ticket and has to travel in coach. When Consuela Callahan, a flirt whom Dink and Rusty call a "beetle," accuses Kit of stealing her orchid and Kit is thrown off the train the next morning. As they continue with their travels they come across many comedic and dramatic problems. When Rusty finds out Kit really is a famous writer, he thinks that she has been using him . Will she convince him otherwise?



I'm a huge fan of John Wayne and Claudette Colbert. This is such a cute, fun and romantic comedy. It reminds me of "It happened One Night" with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.

Dona Drake (November 15, 1914 – June 20, 1989) was an American singer, dancer and film actress in the 1930s and 1940s. Because of her dark hair and Latin-looking features, Drake generally played Latin or other "ethnic" types. She is probably best known for playing the American Indian maid of Bette Davis in, Beyond the Forest. She also appeared as an Arab girl opposite Bob Hope in, Road to Morocco (1942). Her biggest "non-ethnic" role was the second female lead in the 1949 comedy, The Girl from Jones Beach(1949).

The Quiet Man (1952).

The Quiet Man(1952). Romantic/drama. Director: John Ford. Cast: John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen and Barry Fitzgerald. It was based on a 1933 Saturday Evening Post short story by Maurice Walsh. The film is known for its beautiful photography of the Irish countryside and the semi-comic fist fight between Wayne and McLaglen.

Sean Thornton, an Irish-American, returns to his Ireland family's farm in Inisfree. He meets and falls in love with Mary Kate Danaher, the spinster sister of Will Danaher. Danaher, angry that Sean outbid him for the Thornton land, refuses to give permission for his sister marriage to Sean. Until the priest tricks him into believing that the wealthy Widow Tillane also wants to marry him. After learning the truth on Sean and Mary Kate's wedding day, Will refuses to give his sister her full dowry. Sean, knowing nothing in Irish customs, does not care about the dowry. Mary Kate wants her dowry because it represents her pride. Shamed by Sean's refusal to confront her brother she calls him a coward. They become estranged as husband and wife. Soon, Mary Kate boards a train leaving Castletown and headed for Dublin. Sean arrives to the train station and drags her off the train, followed by the townspeople. He forces her to walk the five miles to Will Danaher's farm. Will Sean demand that Will hand over her dowry and regain Mary Kate's love and respect?

For me The Quiet Man, is one of my favorite John Ford films. Amazing scenery and beautiful music by Victor Young make this movie classic as wonderful as it is.. The romance between Wayne and Maureen O'Hara is magical and very believable.
The Quiet Man Movie Trailer.

FUN FACTS:

John Ford first read the story in 1933 and bought the film rights for $10. It took him another 12 years to find financing, and another 10 years to get the film made.

This is one of the few Hollywood films in which you can hear Gaelic, the national language of Ireland.

The last line of the wedding toast was censored by Republic Pictures. It should have said, "May their days be long and full of happiness. May their children be many and full of health. And may they live in peace and national freedom". After the film was completed, Republic Pictures decided "national freedom" in Ireland was too controversial a concept.

Green, the national color of Ireland, can be seen in every shot in this film, but not on any of the actors' costumes except for Maureen O'Hara green floral dress in the cemetery scene.

Second of five movies that paired John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.