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?