Category: Delmer Daves

  • Glenn Ford Westerns / the 50’s continued …

    OK … now where wuz I ?? O Yeah ! Glenn Ford Westerns …

    COWBOY

    After Delmer Daves directed 3:10 to Yuma he made Cowboy.

    Not a classic, but still somewhat enjoyable due to it’s Star Power:
    Glenn Ford and Jack Lemmon.

    Jack Lemmon – a truly wonderful actor was not yet at the peak of his
    popularity and respect, had yet to show his stunning depth and versatility.
    Thus, on the posters, he is very obviously second billed to the
    well established – and well deserved Ford.

    But frankly, some of these posters are real stinkers – and head scratchers.
    When you’ve got two great actors like Ford and Lemmon shouldn’t
    they at least be pictured on the posters ??? Yet some of them …
    you would hardly know who was in the movie.
    Most of them got it right though.

    COWBOY posters

    So, a bit of a different idea for a Western – based on a book by Frank Harris – a semi-autobiographical novel My Reminiscences as a Cowboy – written in 1930.
    The supposed story of a greenhorn who goes on a cattle drive and other Wild West adventures –
    later being exposed as several scenes were taken from movies  – or completely fabricated. But who cares ??! it ain’t history and makes for a good yarn.

    Lemmon’s character is based on Harris. Yee Haw !

    Frank Harris

    Would this guy lie to ya?

    Frank Harris supposed Autobio Reminiscences as a Cowboy

    COWBOY IMDB review

    Reviews averaging about 7 out of 10.
    Not bad.

  • 3:10 to Yuma … Master at work …

    “What are you squeezin’ that watch for?
    Squeezin’ that watch ain’t gonna stop time.”

    Glenn Ford as Ben Wade / 3:10 to Yuma

    DELMER DAVES

    Quiet on the set! Master at Work …

    One critic has noted the likely influences of German Expressionist film makers in 3:10 to Yuma. Such insight is beyond my ken – so it’s much appreciated. Other, closer to home influences, are more obvious, as from Fred Zinnemann’s High Noon and John Ford’s Classics  Stagecoach, My Darling Clementine … others.

    No color? No Computer Generated Effects?

    No problem.

    All the unique virtues of Black and Film making are in evidence. Plus more:

    high angle … low angle … wide angle … echo shots … close ups … lighting … shot framing … scene composition … dramatic use of Light/Dark/Shadow … Direction …

    Nearly every shot in 310 to Yuma is crafted … seamlessly and unpretentiously integrated.

    Daves knew it all – used it all …

    3:10 to Yuma: Western Classic.

    That’s a wrap.

    MFW 310 TO YUMA train__________________________________________________________________

    310 to Yuma Direction310 to Yuma Direction 2310 to Yuma Direction 3__________________________________________________________________

    310 to Yuma - Ford
    “How duz a guy get a drink around here?

2 responses to “Glenn Ford Westerns / the 50’s continued …”

  1. Teepee12 Avatar

    The fifties really were the golden years of the western, though I think there were some pretty good ones in other decades too.

    1. jcalberta Avatar

      Westerns will never die. And there will be an occasional resurgence – maybe another Sergio Leone … in Japan or some place ?? Meanwhile we still have plenty of Classics to watch again. Thanks for your comment.

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