In my study of Journalism, Graphic Design and Fine Arts, I learned a simple lesson: “Keep your mouth shut and let the pictures do the talking.”
These ‘stills’ from My Darling Clementine speak loudly. My Darling Clementine probably contains more ‘Iconic Images’ than any other Western ever made. These are just a few:
My Darling Clementine / Fonda
My Darling Clementine / Opening Vista
My Darling Clementine / Henry Fonda
My Darling Clementine / Walter Brennan
My Darling Clementine / Victor Mature and Henry Fonda
My Darling Clementine / Victor Mature
My Darling Clementine / Henry Fonda
My Darling Clementine / Henry Fonda
My Darling Clementine / Henry Fonda
My Darling Clementine / Walter Brennan
My Darling Clementine / Walter Brennan
My Darling Clementine / Vista
My Darling Clementine / Adios
My Darling Clementine / Farewell
My Darling Clementine
Reblogged this on Serendipity and commented:
One of Garry’s favorites. Not exactly accurate, but beautiful.
You have superb taste in Westerns!
Thank you so kindly ! That means a lot to me.
This is actually take 2 in my “Clementine” responses. It is a great example of John Ford’s ironic “Print The Legend” ethos. I KNOW that’s NOT the way it happened — even give or take a lie or two. But this — Henry Fonda’s first film after returning from active duty in WW II — is an exquisitely made western. A primer in film study classes. Among the many wonderful, almost lyrical scenes: Fonda slowly walking Clementine (Cathy Downs) across the street to the church social to the strains of “Shall We Gather By The River” (A Ford staple). I usually play this scene two or three times on every viewing. It’s film POETRY!!! Also, Fonda — rocking in his chair outside the barbershop and smelling of honeysuckle “perfume”. The laconic exchanges between Fonda, Tim Holt and Ward Bond about the “Honeysuckle scent from home” is pure Ford small moment magic. Not accurate? True. But still one of the best westerns ever, Pilgrim!!!
You know your Westerns pardner … better than I do.
When I first saw My Darling Clementine as a kid I liked it for sure … but most of what makes it such a wonder went way over my head. It’s – as you say – brilliant film making.
Even after Stagecoach some people didn’t want to take Westerns seriously. But after ‘Clementine’ they had no choice.
It was not JUST a great Western – it was a great movie.