John Ford's Landscapes

Orson Welles when asked who he believed was the best director of all time responded that he was fond of older pictures and that John Ford was his man. Yesterday I watched "My Darling Clementine" by Ford and throughout the picture it was apparent that the man behind the camera was a master. The story of "My Darling Clementine" was a standard tale of the old West. The film was created in 1946 and stars Henry Fonda as Wyatt Earp. The movie was fascinating in how Ford chose to approach the story in Tombstone, Arizona. As a director he chose the story to be focused on two warring families. The Clantons Vs. Earps. Much like the Hatfields Vs. McCoys. From the opening shot of the Earps rounding up cattle to the ending of Wyatt riding off into the distance the film is seamless.

John Ford westerns take on a new meaning to the Western genre. Currently westerns are the most difficult genre film to get financed. Many production companies believe that all westerns have been done and that there are no stories left to be told. Of course this makes absolutely no sense and studios are notoriously cheap. However, the reason I am bringing this up is when one views a Ford picture it becomes apparent that he never cheaped out on production costs. The town of Tombstone Arizona looks unbelievably authentic. From the wooden walk ways to the signs for the casinos. The town looks completely real. The bars are long and wooden and cast a reflection with the light and the saloons are always filled with laughter and yelling. Lanterns are utilized perfectly when Doc Holiday uses them for a medical procedure. The stage coach wheels kick up dirt throughout the movie. The image of stage wheels that keep bringing up dirt like a motorcyle sticks to a Ford picture.

Walter Brennan plays the patriarch of the Clanton family. He whips his sons who are grown men and wears a buffalo coat. As a villian he is unprecedented. Mostly it is the look he gives off more than the words he says that let the viewer know he is in charge. His character's evil is established right from the beginning when the Clantons meet the Earps. He offers to buy Wyatt's cattle and he tries to low ball him.

Last summer I went to Tombstone, Arizona with my father. We drove out there from Los Angeles on our Southwest tour. We went to the Birdcage theater and stood outside of the OK Corral. There is a placard in front of the OK Corral that shows exactly whereIke Clanton was shot. Ford was on top of his game when he made the movie Ike died in the exact same place.