SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON

DIRECTED BY JOHN FORD
PRODUCED BY JOHN FORD and MERIAN C. COOPER
MUSIC BY RICHARD HAGEMAN
ARGOSY/RKO RADIO PICTURES

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/ayellow_ribbon4.jpg..http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/Wayne_Yellow_Ribbon_lc.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/3yellowribbon.jpg

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
Captain Nathan Brittles, on the eve of retirement, takes out a last patrol to stop an impending massive Indian attack. Encumbered by women who must be evacuated, Brittles finds his mission imperiled.
Summary written by Jim Beaver

Full Cast
John Wayne .... Capt. Nathan Cutting Brittles
Joanne Dru .... Olivia Dandridge
John Agar .... Lt. Flint Cohill
Ben Johnson .... Sgt. Tyree
Harry Carey Jr. .... 2nd Lt. Ross Penell
Victor McLaglen .... Top Sgt. Quincannon
Mildred Natwick .... Abby Allshard aka Old Iron Pants
George O'Brien .... Major Mac Allshard, Commanding Officer Fort Starke
Arthur Shields .... Dr. O'Laughlin
Michael Dugan .... Sgt. Hochbauer
Chief John Big Tree .... Chief Pony That Walks
Fred Graham .... Sgt. Hench
Chief Sky Eagle .... Chief Sky Eagle
Tom Tyler .... Cpl. Mike Quayne, Leader of Paradise River Patrol
Noble Johnson .... Chief Red Shirt
Rudy Bowman .... Pvt. John Smith aka Rome Clay (uncredited)
Lee Bradley .... Interpreter (uncredited)
Paul Fix .... Gun-runner (uncredited)
Francis Ford .... Connelly, Fort Stark Suttlers Barman (uncredited)
Ray Hyke .... Trooper McCarthy (uncredited)
Billy Jones .... Courier (uncredited)
Fred Kennedy .... Badger (uncredited)
Fred Libby .... Cpl. Krumrein (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... Trooper Cliff (uncredited)
Frank McGrath .... Bugler/Indian (uncredited)
Post Park .... Officer (uncredited)
Jack Pennick .... Sergeant Major (uncredited)
Irving Pichel .... Narrator (uncredited)
Mickey Simpson .... Cpl. Wagner (blacksmith) (uncredited)
William Steele .... Officer (uncredited)
Don Summers .... Jenkins (uncredited)
Dan White .... Trooper (uncredited)
Harry Woods .... Licensed Suttler Karl Rynders (uncredited)

Writing Credits
James Warner Bellah stories War Party and The Big Hunt
Frank S. Nugent screenplay (as Frank Nugent)
Laurence Stallings screenplay

Produced
Lowell J. Farrell .... associate producer (as Lowell Farrell)
Merian C. Cooper .... executive producer (uncredited)
John Ford .... executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music
Richard Hageman (musical score)

Cinematography
Winton C. Hoch (as Winton Hoch)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Edward O'Fearna .... assistant director
Wingate Smith .... assistant director
Cliff Lyons .... second unit director (uncredited)

Stunts
Roydon Clark .... stunts (uncredited)
Everett Creach .... stunts (uncredited)
John Epper .... stunts (uncredited)
Fred Graham .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Hayward .... stunts (uncredited)
Bryan 'Slim' Hightower .... stunts (uncredited)
John Hudkins .... stunts (uncredited)
Fred Kennedy .... stunts (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... stunts (uncredited)
Frank McGrath .... stunts (uncredited)
Don Nagel .... stunts (uncredited)
Gil Perkins .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Rose .... stunts (uncredited)
Norm Taylor .... stunt double: Indian (uncredited)

Other crew
C. Bakaleinikoff .... musical director
Charles P. Boyle .... photographer: second unit (as Charles Boyle)
Lucien Cailliet .... music arranger
Lucien Cailliet .... orchestrator
Harvey Gould .... camera operator
D.R.O. Hatswell .... costume researcher
Natalie Kalmus .... color director: Technicolor
Philip Kieffer .... technical advisor (as Major Philip Kieffer)
Cliff Lyons .... technical advisor
Morgan Padelford .... associate color director: Technicolor
Robert Campbell .... gaffer (uncredited)
Tom Clement .... grip (uncredited)
Barbara Ford .... assistant editor (uncredited)
Jester Hairston .... choral director (uncredited)
Alexander Kahle .... still photographer (uncredited)
Barlow Simpson .... gun wrangler (uncredited)
Meta Stern .... script supervisor (uncredited)
Archie Stout .... camera operator: second unit (uncredited)

Trivia
When Sgt. Quincannon (Victor McLaglen) is addressing the troops and warning them to "watch them words," he asks who owns a dog, without receiving an answer. He concludes, "Nice dog! Irish setter!" The scene was improvised on the spot by director John Ford. The dog was an unnamed Navajo pet that had fallen asleep during the setup. Multiple takes were required because McLaglen kept blowing the line, calling the dog a "cocker spaniel."

Based on the paintings and illustrations of Frederic Remington, the artist renowned for his nostalgic packaging of the bygone "real" West for an urban public.

Sergeant Tyree's horse is named "Laddie".

The song "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" is still to this day the official anthem of the United States Cavalry/Armor.

The exterior shots of Capt. Brittles' quarters and the building where Major Mac Allshard, Commanding Officer Fort Starke has his HQ are still standing and in Monument Valley itself near to the town of Kanab. The HQ building is now a museum and both are open to the public.

As the regiment's blacksmith, named "Wagner", is seen at work, we can hear the orchestra playing the "Nibelung"-motif from Richard Wagner's famous opera, "Siegfried". In the opera the motif is connected with the forging of Siegfried's sword.

John Ford decided to cast John Wayne as Captain Nathan Brittles after seeing his performance as Thomas Dunson in Red River (1948).

According to Patrick Wayne, this was his father's favorite of the movies he starred in.

John Wayne, who was 41 when the film was made, won great acclaim for his convincing portrayal of the 60-year-old Captain Brittles.

In the graveyard, one of the crosses carries the name "DeVoto", this is likely an homage to Bernard DeVoto, a prominent historian of the American West.

The horse that Ben Johnson rode in this film was a famous movie horse used by many stars in many 40s and 50s movies. It was a big sorrel stallion called "Steel" and was owned by Ben Johnston's father in law "Fat Jones" who ran one of the most successful horse renting stables in Hollywood. The horse, which was known for being very quiet but flashy, was ridden by John Wayne in "Tall in the Saddle" and "The Conqueror", Gregory Peck in "Yellow Skies" and Clark Gable in "The Tall T". The horse made stars look like good riders and Fat Jones always insisted if "Steel" was used in movies, the company hired every other horse used in the movie from his stable, so "Steel" was worth a fortune to him. "Steel" had his own double and the horse that Ben Johnston rides in the galloping scenes was not "Steel" but a spectacular galloper called "Bingo". "Steel" was no movie prima donna however. Ben Johnston also rode him when he won his world champion calf roping title. Ben Johnston also rode both "Steel" and "Bingo" in "Wagonmaster".

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 12, 1951 with John Wayne reprising his film role.

The medal Capt. Brittles is wearing during the final troop review is the Medal of Honor.

Goofs
* Anachronisms: The film says that news of the Battle of Little Big Horn (1876) was spread by the Pony Express - which went out of business in 1861.

* Anachronisms: The calendar page that Capt. Brittles uses to mark off the days until his retirement is for the wrong month. The calendar most unusually shows the year but not the month, but it does show that the month has 31 days and begins on a Wednesday. Therefore, the only month in 1876 that this page would have fit was March. But it cannot be March, because it refers to the Battle of the Little Big Horn as having recently occurred and that Battle did not take place until June 1876. Arguably, the calendar should show the month of July, because John Wayne's character indicates that it is the 5th of the month, and news of Custer's death at Little Big Horn on Sunday June 25 would have taken about two weeks to arrive by (anachronistic) pony express.

* Anachronisms: At the very end of the film the cavalry marches by with a 48-star flag. In 1876 there were only 38 states.

* Continuity: Prior to leaving Fort Stock on his last patrol, Captain Brittles writes an objection to having to take a wagon on the mission. He hands the written complaint to Major Allshard, who in turn hands it to Sgt. Hochbauer, who then reads the report up side down.

* Continuity: During the fight in the canteen, when Sgt. Quincannon throws the small soldier over the counter, the barman Connolly has his pipe in his mouth. In the next shot, his pipe is in his right hand.

* Anachronisms: When Capt Brittles asks the Post commander's wife if the dress she is wearing is made from Top Soldier Quincanon's britches, she agrees, but the skirt is a full ankle length riding skirt made from much more material than a pair of britches.

* Revealing mistakes: During the charge, you hear the same looped recordings of war whoops over and over again. Furthermore, they are the same looped recordings of war whoops that they used the previous year in "Fort Apache".

* Anachronisms: Captain Brittles is retiring after 40 years in the army. It is 1876, which means he entered the army around 1836. He says he was "just a boy in blue jeans" when he entered the army. Blue jeans or denim trousers didn't come into the U.S. until Levi Strauss brought the material from DeNimes France to California during the 1850 gold rush. There were no "blue jeans" in the 1830s.

* Revealing mistakes: When Sgt. Tyree stops the paymaster's stage coach, he walks back past the horses to the coach. In the footwell of the driver's seat there are two holes through which the reins pass. The head of the stuntman who was driving the "driverless" coach is visible.

* Anachronisms: As Dr. O'Laughlin is operating on Cpl. Mike Quayne, exterior views of their wagon include a modern Coleman-type two-mantle lantern, which was not available in 1876.

* Anachronisms: Despite the demise of the 'Pony Express' in 1861 and the completion of the telegraph in 1862, notification in many areas, even in 1876, still traveled by horse. The Custer column from Fort Lincoln did not string telegraph lines as it moved west to engage the 'hostile Indians'. After the 'massacre', the word was sent East, at least to Fort Lincoln, by courier on horseback. It took nearly two weeks for the word to reach the East Coast (General Sherman on July 4th).

Memorable Quotes (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041866/quotes)

Filming Locations
Kanab Movie Fort, Kanab, Utah, USA
Kanab, Utah, USA
Mexican Hat, Utah, USA
Moab, Utah, USA
Monument Valley, Utah, USA
Pathe Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
(studio)

Previous discussion:-
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=571)

Memorable Quotes

Captain Nathan Brittles: [Cohill and Pennell are about to fight over Olivia] Button your shirt, Mister Pennell! Thought better of you.
Four years out here and still actin' like a wet-eared "kaydet" on the Hudson. What is this all about, Mr. Cohill?
Lt. Flint Cohill: Sir, I... I decline to answer... respectfully.
Captain Nathan Brittles: Mr. Cohill, it is a bitter thing, indeed,
to learn that an officer who has had nine years experience in the cavalry - the officer to whom I am surrendering command of this troop in two more days -
should have so little grasp of leadership as to allow himself to be shivvied into a go at "fisticuffs" while 'Taps' still sounds over a brave man's grave!
God help this troop when I'm gone.

[Repeated line]
Sgt. Tyree: That ain't my department, sir.

[watching from a distance as Apaches torture gunrunners who cheated them]
Captain Nathan Brittles: [to Sgt. Tyree] Join me in a chaw of tobacco?
Sgt. Tyree: No, sir. I don't chaw tobacco and I don't play cards.
Captain Nathan Brittles: Chawing tobacco is a nasty habit. Been known to turn a man's stomach.
2nd Lt. Ross Penell: I'll take a chaw if you please, sir.

Abby Allshard: How did "Marching Through Georgia" take the idea of "Old Iron Pants" riding with him?
Major Mac Allshard, Commanding Officer Fort Starke: Under protest, my dear.
Captain Nathan Brittles: Under WRITTEN protest, Abby, of course. It's always my pleasure to escort "Old Iron Pants".
Well, as long as you're going along with us, I guess we'll have...
[notices how she's dressed]
Captain Nathan Brittles: Abby, that is the dad-blastedest outfit I ever did see. Quincannon's old britches.

[Brittles knows Quincannon has been drinking on duty]
Captain Nathan Brittles: You got a breath on you like a hot mince pie.
Top Sergeant Quincannon: Ah, Captain darlin'. As you well know I took "the pledge" after Chapultepec.
Captain Nathan Brittles: And Bull Run, and Gettysburg, and Shiloh, and St. Patrick's Day, and Fourth of July!

[Brittles and Tyree ride into the Indian camp to negotiate]
Captain Nathan Brittles: Were you ever scared, "Captain" Tyree?
Sgt. Tyree: Yes, sir. Up to and includin' now.

[Quincannon is celebrating his upcoming retirement]
Sgt. Hochbauer: You're out of uniform, Quincannon.
Top Sergeant Quincannon: Oh, I am, am I? Well, I'm in the proper uniform... the uniform of a retired gentleman.
[enters the bar]

Top Sergeant Quincannon: So Nathan Brittles, ex-captain of cavalry U.S.A., started westward for the new settlements in California: westward toward the setting sun, which is the end of the trail for all old men. But the army hadn't finished with Nathan Brittles and it sent a galloper after him. THAT was Sgt. Tyree's department.
Sgt. Tyree: Yo-oh! Capt. Brittles!
[catches up to him]
Sgt. Tyree: Captain, sir.
Captain Nathan Brittles: Huh?
Sgt. Tyree: For you, sir. From the Yankee War Department.
[hands him the dispatch]
Captain Nathan Brittles: I knew it. Dad blast it... I knew it!
[reading the dispatch]
Captain Nathan Brittles: What? Sergeant... my appointment: chief of scouts!
With a rank of Lt. Colonel. And will you look at those endorsements: Phil Sheridan, William Tecumseh Sherman and Ulysses Simpson Grant, President of The United States of America! There's three aces for you, boy!
Sgt. Tyree: Yeah, but I kinda wish you'da been a-holdin' a full hand.
Captain Nathan Brittles: Huh? Full hand? Whaddaya mean: full hand?
Sgt. Tyree: Robert E. Lee, sir.
Captain Nathan Brittles: Oh. Heh... wouldn't a been bad. Let's go.

Olivia Dandridge: I'm sorry I made such a fool of myself at the gate this morning.
Captain Nathan Brittles: You made a fool out of a couple of young lieutenants. That's never against Army regulations.

Top Sergeant Quincannon: [on their upcoming retirement] The army will never be the same when we retire, sir.
Captain Nathan Brittles: The army is always the same. The sun and the moon change, but the army knows no seasons.

Sgt. Tyree: [after the fight at Sudrow's Well] Sir, would you take a look at Trooper Smith?
Pvt. John Smith aka Rome Clay: [mortally wounded] Don't bother about me, Captain. Trust you'll forgive my presumption... I'd like to commend the boy here... for the way he handled this action. In the best tradition of the cavalry, sir.
Sgt. Tyree: [to Pvt. Smith] I take that very kindly, sir.
Pvt. John Smith aka Rome Clay: Captain Tyree! Captain Tyree!
Captain Nathan Brittles: Speak to him.
Sgt. Tyree: Thank you.
[comes to attention]
Sgt. Tyree: Yes, Sir. Sir! Sir!
Captain Nathan Brittles: [realizes that Smith has died] I'm afraid he can't hear you, Captain.

Captain Nathan Brittles: [while burying the dead] I also commend to your keeping the soul of Rome Clay, late Brigadier General,
Confederate States Army. Known to his comrades here, Sir, as Trooper John Smith, United States cavalry... a gallant soldier and a Christian gentleman.

Top Sergeant Quincannon: [speaking to Capt. Brittles about Lt. Cohill and Olivia Dandridge who have been bickering on the trail]
They'll make a fine, boisterous couple when they're married, Captain!

Olivia Dandridge: [after the massacre at Sudrow's Wells] You don't have to say it,
Captain. I know all this is because of me; because I wanted to see the West; because I wasn't - I wasn't "Army" enough to stay the winter.
Captain Nathan Brittles: You're not quite "Army" yet, miss... or you'd know never to apologize... it's a sign of weakness.
Olivia Dandridge: Yes, but this was your last patrol and I'm to blame for it.
Captain Nathan Brittles: Only the man who commands can be blamed. It rests on me... mission failure!

Abby Allshard: [Capt. Brittles is retiring after tonight] Where will you go, Nathan?
Captain Nathan Brittles: Oh, West, I guess, Abby... California... new settlements.
[to Olivia]
Captain Nathan Brittles: "Old soldiers...", Miss Dandridge... hah! Someday you'll learn how they hate to give up.
Captain of the troop one day: every man's face turned towards you; lieutenants jump when I growl! Now, tomorrow,
I'll be glad if a blacksmith asks me to shoe a horse.
[he leaves]

Captain Nathan Brittles: [the troop presents him with a solid silver watch for his retirement.
He puts on his glasses and reads the engraved sentiment on the back] "To Capt. Brittles from C Troop. Lest we forget."

Sgt. Hochbauer: [enters the bar with a crew to arrest Quincannon] You're under arrest, Quincannon.
Top Sergeant Quincannon: By whose orders?
Sgt. Hochbauer: By order of Capt. Brittles. Are you coming peaceably?
Top Sergeant Quincannon: Laddy, I've never gone anyplace peaceably in me life.
[puts down his drink and slugs Sgt. Hochbauer]

[last lines]
Narrator: [as the troop passes by] So here they are: the dog-faced soldiers, the regulars, the fifty-cents-a-day professionals...
riding the outposts of a nation. From Fort Reno to Fort Apache - from Sheridan to Startle -
they were all the same: men in dirty-shirt blue and only a cold page in the history books to mark their passing. But wherever they rode -
and whatever they fought for - that place became the United States.

INFORMATION IMDb

Hi,

336

Part 2 of the Trilogy, once again shows how brilliant Ford, was with this subject.
His cast for this film, is magnificent.
Duke, once again, solid as a rock, as a commander, and a leader of men.
With no love interest to weigh him down, he turns in a wonderful performance,
as Nathan Brittles, his portrayal is one of the finest of his career.
It was a very unlike Duke role, calling him to be passive, and reflective.
It also further developed him as as as American icon, as Brittles was an ideal leader, his speech,
"Lest we forget" being magical.
His "I'll be back.I'll be back", conjuring up the same sort of leadership and authority, as MacArthur.
Duke handles the part of an older man well, later admitting, that this, is probably his favourite film.
His mature role(watching ,over younger love lives), was a role he would adapt as his own, in his later movies.
Victor, turned in a fantastic performance, and I just laugh, at every minute he spends on the silver screen, he had such a presence.
Ben Johnson, also, was just great, and acted well above, his status.
Joanne Dru, and the other Ford players, put in excellent performances.
This was to be the first time, that Ford had filmed in Monument Valley in Colour,, with
the awesome scene, of marching through the lightning, gaining cameraman Winton Hoch, an Academy award.
The film was an immediate hit, and it was one of the years leaders at the box office,
and critics response was thus,
"the finest outdoor picture""another of John Ford's classics".
Rating 9/10

You did a Great job on your Review of "Yellow Ribbon!" Here is a Picture Story that I put up a while Back on the Film. As it was Filmed in color it shows you the Beauty and Vastness of "Monument Valley." :rolleyes:

YELLOW RIBBON (http://www.wyntoontrip.com/RIBBONA.html)

Chilibill :cowboy:

Hi,
I have been researching all the threads, back to the start of the JWMB,
looking for previous discussion, relating to the movies.
I have found the following, comments, and have copied them here,
so that they are now under one forum:-

InHarmsWay*
post Nov 24 2005, 01:41 AM[

Hello all,

I was wondering if any of you noticed (in the opening scene, in Captain brittles quarters, the pictures of his wife and what appears his two young daughters (one to each side of their mother). Now, when Miss Danderidge brings the Duke the "flaming arrows" at the gravesite of his wife, you can clearly see two smaller graves - also to the right and left of "mary brittles" grave. AND if you look closer you can see the names brittles on the gravestones, clearly im assuming his two young daughters.

My question, is that is there any background infomation on what happened to his family?, indians perhaps etc.??

-IHW
ethanedwards*
post Nov 24 2005, 02:04 AM

Good question, InHarmsWay,
I for one, cannot remember any mention of the two daughters in the film!!
I suppose the answer to this, will lie in the original,

Saturday Evening Post

story,by James Warner Bellah.

Best Wishes,
Keith
Senta*
post Nov 24 2005, 05:57 AM

Hi,
I remember two daughters and always was wondering what happens to his family? And to my opinion J.Dru had to choose Brittles, he is much more interesting as a men, when the leiteunants.
Regards,
Senta
arthurarnell
post Nov 24 2005, 07:04 AM

Hi Senta

I would think that at his age and the fact that he visited the graveside every night Brittles woud be a one woman man.

I also think that he would find great amusement and contentment watching the two young lieutenants chasing one woman.


Regards

Arthur
William T Brooks*
post Nov 24 2005, 11:10 AM

In the script I do not think it said how his Wife and Children Died. But on the three Tombstones it has them all Dieing with in three days of each other. Mary his wife on June 2 1867 and his two Daughters Elizabeth and Jane on June 5 1867.

So it looks like it was a Very Bad Ending for Capt. Brittles Family. And because They are Buried at the foot of the Left Mitten in Monument Valley in Indian Country, we must think the Worst of how they Died! You can go to my Site below for a picture of the Tombstones. It might take a little time to down load because it has so many pictures.

And Yes, Capt. Brittles was a One Woman Man!!!

Chilibill :cowboy:
ethanedwards*
post Nov 24 2005, 11:53 AM

Great Photographs Bill,
Seems, that, he didn't mention
the daughters in the film,
but from your close-up pictures of the tombstones,
it seems more than likely, that they came to the same end as their Mother!!

Best Wishes,
Keith
Baby Sister*
post Nov 24 2005, 07:06 PM

QUOTE(arthurarnell @ Nov 24 2005, 02:04 AM)
Hi Senta

I also think that he would find great amusement and contentment watching the two young lieutenants chasing one woman.
Regards

Arthur

The tenderness of a man so devoted to his wife/family even after so much time would touch any girls heart, and I would think the flirtations of a younger, pretty girl would also probably make Brittles feel young again, and what man wouldn't like that?

I always assumed from the closeness of dates on the graves that his family died of some disease.

Baby Sis
Senta
post Nov 24 2005, 08:07 PM

QUOTE(arthurarnell @ Nov 24 2005, 10:04 AM)
Hi Senta

I would think that at his age and* the fact that he visited the graveside every night Brittles woud be a one woman man.

I also think that he would find great amusement and contentment watching the two young lieutenants chasing one woman.
Regards

Arthur


Hi Arthur and Bill,
I spoke not about Brittles (one woman man), but about the girl, who can choose him.
You think, that at age of 60 man couldn't find a new love?
Regards,
Vera
ethanedwards
post Nov 25 2005, 01:31 AM

Hi Vera,
Hey you're right, men of 60, can find love!!
I've found new love, with you, Smokey and Baby Sis,
Don't write us old bucks off yet!!

Best Wishes,
Keith
stall 956*
post Nov 25 2005, 01:40 AM

The screen writer for Mr. Ford. Would write down on a separate paper. The entire life each of the characters. From the where & when they were born to the age they played in the movie. In this case he gave that history to Mr. Wayne. And with your keen eye sight you just seen the writer's sharing of that information. Mr. Wayne without telling the history showed with his emotions. what he was feeling. He played it perfect.
Senta*
post Nov 25 2005, 04:11 AM

QUOTE(ethanedwards @ Nov 25 2005, 04:31 AM)
Hi Vera,
Hey you're right, men of 60, can find love!!
I've found new love, with you, Smokey and Baby Sis,
Don't write us old bucks off yet!!

Best Wishes,
Keith
*
Hi Keith,
Glad to hear that. Nobody writed you off.
Regards,
Vera

I didn't expect to come across this, one of John Wayne's finest films and only four posts about it from Keith and Bill. I'm as guilty as the next person for overlooking the hard work done by Keith and its such a shame because most of Dukes westerns in the 1940's have very little discussions on them. Upon doing a search for 'She Wore A Yellow Ribbon' it was difficult to find a meaningful review. The one I'm posting is by Emanuel Levy its a reasoable review and really the best of a bad bunch.

John Ford's Western takes place after the massacre of General Custer at the Little Big Horn. A narrator sets the movie's sentimental tone, when he announces: "And wherever the flag rises over some lonely army post there may be one man--one captain--fated to wield the sword of destiny."

That man is John Wayne's Captain Nathan Brittles, an elderly officer who has spent 40 years in service and is about to retire to civilian life in a few hours.

The Indians begin a war and Brittles wants to trail them, but his Major objects. Instead, he assigns Brittles to escort his wife and daughter to a safer place, and Brittles reluctantly accepts.

At the station, Brittles is devastated by the sight of mutilated bodies, all victims of the Indian raid. "About time I did retire!" he tells himself. However, realizing that he has only four hours of service, he decides on a bold move against the Indians, outwitting them by stampeding their horses; humiliated and helpless, they sue for peace. Having turned a failure into a successful mission--the raid has no casualties—Brittles is now ready to retire.

The picture's real hero, as in Fort Apache, is not Brittles but the larger collective he stands for, here, the Second Cavalry Regiment. At the end of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, the narrator tells the audience: "So here they are. The dog-faced soldiers, the regulars, the fifty-cents a day professionals riding the outposts of a nation. From Fort Reno to Fort Apache...from Sheridan to Stockton...they were all the same. Men in dirty-shirt blue...and only a cold page in the history books to mark their passing. But wherever they rose and whatever they sought for, that place became the United States."

The two-generational plot in this Western differs from that in Hawks' Red River, which was released the same year. More nostalgic in his approach, Ford comments int his Western on the passing of heroes like Captain Brittles, an aging cavalry officer who has spent all his life in the army. Whereas Ford mythologizes the Old West, Red River looks ahead to the future and signifies social change.

Brittles doesn't trust the younger generation and is reluctant to hand over the command to Lieutenant Flint Cohill (John Agar) because he lacks experience. Major Allshard (George O'brien) has to remind him that the youths have to learn the hard way, just as he himself had. Allshard protests that, "Every time Cohill gave an order, men would turn around and look at you, they'd wonder if he was doing the right thing."

But in the end, the younger generation adopts Brittles' way of life. Lieutenant Pennel (Harry Carey Jr.) decides to renounce an easy and comfortable life in the East in favor of military career, just like Brittles.

Some of the movie's most touching sequences describe the ritualistic ceremonies in which tradition is transmitted from the older to the younger generation. On Brittles' last review of his troops, he gets a present, a silver watch. Brings out his glasses, he sniffs back a tear as he reads the inscription, "Lest We Forget!" with a slight choke in his voice.

This is the only personal and informal interaction between Brittles and his men. It takes Brittles long time to soften, show his heart. Hence, only when he hands over the command to Cohill, Brittles calls him, for the first time, by his Christian name.

:agent:

Very nice review Robbie. I wish to express my thanks to Keith on creating a very nice collection of facts/anecdotes, ect.. on Dukes films, great job.

I for one have always liked "Yellow Ribbon" the most out of all the calvary movies. I seem to be more "connected" to what is happening in the film compared to the others.

Hi

She Wore A Yellow Ribbon is a beautiful film and I personally believe that the poster generally seen is this one. if I had the room my small poster would be on the wall behind glass'

Regards


Arthur

HI

This one is also attractive although I'm not quite sure what nationality it is.

Regards

Arthur

Hi


And this one which is a case of after the Lord Mayors show.must be British



Regards

Arthur

Hi

Just to illustrate the film the scene with Vic McLaglen and John Wayne

Have you been drinking?
Not a drop Captain darling



Regards

Arthur

Hi

Another fine photo when Brittles is presented with his watch by the men

Regards

Arthur

Hi

This one is pretty bog standard if there is such a thing'



Regards

Arthur

Hi

And here he is seen doing what he does best leading his men

Regards

Arthur

Arthur;

Here is a picture Story that I put up some time back that has some Great Pictures of Duke and Monument Valley in "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon."

http://www.wyntoontrip.com/RIBBONA.html

Bill
:cowboy:

Hi Bill

Its brilliant and all add to the knowledge and enjoyment of the film.

Regards

Arthur

My favorite of the 4 cavalry pictures he did for Ford. The character I feel is one his warmest and very likable, in fact this is my favorite character he played. Anyway one thing I noticed was that he looks like J.B Books 27 years before hand.

Play.com are going to have the following figure from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.

Price £40.00 post free

http://www.play.com/Gadgets/Gadgets/4-/3358681/John-Wayne-As-A-Cavalry-Officer-Figure/Product.html


Mike

I just LOVE the theme song to this movie. Does anybody know what the lyrics are? This is just one of those songs that you just enjoy singing along with.

I just LOVE the theme song to this movie. Does anybody know what the lyrics are? This is just one of those songs that you just enjoy singing along with.

The song "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" is still to this day the official anthem of the United States Cavalry/Armor. I will put the lyrics up shortly, sung by the US Army Infantry.

Now don't make fun of this... they are actual cadence marching lyrics and are the lyrics for the song. Enjoy!

Around Her Head She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (http://www.dakotasurfer.com/Duke/Around.Her.Head.She.Wore.A.Yellow.Ribbon.mp3)

The song can be found on several albums. This cadence is on an album called "Marching Cadences Of The U.S. Army Infantry"

It's also on...

Sousa: Marches (The Band Of The Grenadier Guards)
True Grit - Music From The Classic Films Of John Wayne

Thanks DS. No way I would make fun of this.

Nice likeness! This is the best one of any "12" inch G.I.Joe-like series. Wish it were not so expensive though :glare:

If anyone wants to buy me one of these, I will gladly send you M.I.B. General Eisenhauer, The Mercury Astronaut and the other Astronaut G.I. Joes for pay for this figure. :wink_smile: The Gen Ike is worth about $90.00 bucks, the Mercury Astronaut will sky-rocket in value since the death of Wally Shirra, and the other Astronaut is worht about $70.00 bucks.

True Grit - Music From The Classic Films Of John Wayne

I have that CD, and that is the best track on the disc. It's also my alltime favorite John Wayne theme.

Arthur, thanks for posting those neat posters. Do you own all of them? I know what you mean about having some of them hanging on the wall. Many of the old posters really are works of art in their own right.

DS, thanks for posting about the music.

This thread is a great example of Jay's remark that this message board is like the graduate school of John Wayne, with all the different details and information about different movies.

And to add a little more, here are some reissue posters of She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, from 1954 and 1957 respectively. Certainly not ones I would feel compelled to hang on my wall.

1965

1966

A few months ago, I was trying to drum up some support for the Pop List poll, and joined a number of John Wayne related groups on Yahoo so I could post the request for help. One of the groups that has a decent sized membership, and is fairly active, is johnwaynefans. The admin/moderator of that group is Clive Woollands of the UK, and he is a registered member here (but hasn't posted yet) by the user name of chisum2. While researching his Yahoo site, I noticed one of the features, Film Facts, in which he chooses a different film each week or so and shares some trivia about the film. It's about a paragraph long, and offers some interesting information which nicely complements information in each of our movie threads (of course, some information is duplicated).

I asked Clive's permission to re-post his Film Facts here in our forum, and he graciously consented. He also indicated that in the future, he will share here each week as he posts in his own forum.

So now I will share with you Clive's Film Facts for this film -

I would like to post every week film facts about Some John Wayne films and I would like to start with She Wore A Yellow Ribbon.

Production: Argosy Pictures Corporation.
Screenplay by Frank Nugent and Laurence Stalling.
Cinematographer was Winton C. Hoch.
Artistic director was James Basevi.
Composer was Richard Hageman.
Editor was Jack Murray.
Distribution by RKO Pictures.
Locations were Monument Valley, Utah; Kanab and Moab, Utah; Pathe Studioss, Los Angeles.
Cost of production was $1.6 million. Box office taking were $2.7 million.
Date of production was Summer 1949.
The film received only one oscar nomination for Winton C. Hoch's
cinematography. He won.
Co-writer Laurence Stallings was an ex-marine who lost his leg fighting in World War 1. He wrote the anti-war play What Price Glory, filmed in 1952 by John Ford.
The Scene where Sergeant Quincannon (Victor McLaglen) asks his troops who owns a dog and says "Nice dog! Irish setter!" was re-shot several times because McLaglen kept calling the dog a "cocker spaniel".
Ribbon's" $2.7 million box office showing, with figures adjusted for inflation, makes it the 33rd most successful western of all time, ahead of both The Wild Bunch and The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Hope you liked this film Fact.

Thanks for sharing information with us Chester.

Look forward to seeing others in series


Best

Mike

Again here is another film that I know a Little about "Yellow Ribbon," The Second Film of the Triogy !!!

http://www.ranch26bar.com/YRSTORY.html

Chilibill
:cowboy:

Did someone bring that dog in or was it a local dog that just followed everyone around on the set? I enjoy the dog in the film he's a fast running rascal. It seemed there were 2 dogs.

Brick;
Here is a Post that I put up some time back that will tell you a little more about The Dog in "Yellow Ribbon."
And if you look at the Fifth Horse Soldier from the Left, that is a Very Young and Skinny Chilibill !
(bud)
CHARGE

http://www.26barranch.com/WHOSDOG.html

Chilibill
:cowboy:

What a great story Bill, One of my favorite parts is Victor saying nice dog Irish setter and of course swimming the English Channel with an anvil on me chest. I've often wondered where you were in the movie. Now when I watch it I'll pause it and tell the wife thats Chili Bill 5th from the left. What a cool job you had and to be with Ford and Wayne man it don't get any better than that. After I get over these treatments in a year. The mrs. & I plan to visit the 26 bar if not sooner. Thanks for the info.

Hello William T Brooks
Just a short note to tell you how much I appreciate the great job you did!
I am quite impressed with your thread. what!s more fun than knowing a actor
belonged John Ford's Stock Company.
Please let me attach the picture from your thread again.

and brick
i like dogs too.i appreciate your really nice thread you send.
i am envious to do a plan you live in the States and to visit
the Bar 26 ranch for.

Regards,
H.sanada

Brick and H. sanada;
Because you said that you liked the last Post about the Film "Yellow Ribbon" you might like this Story also?
:wink_smile:
After the Film was Released later that Year and was Shown at the Old Fox Theater in Phoenix, all those Pretty Young Girls Treated me Like A Movie Star, even if I was only on the Big Screen for about 10 Seconds !!!
:hyper:
After they had formed the Stunt Mans Union, the Produsers and Directors could not Get-Away with this any more, you Had to Belong to the Union to do any Stunts !
:yeaahh:

http://www.ranch26bar.com/PONYEXPRESS1.html

Chilibill
(bud)

Great story, I often wondered while watching that movie the dog seemed untrained and I wondered how they got it to do the scenes.

Bill

I also rather enjoyed this story and thanks for sharing it with us. On another note I think you should centralise your website with a homepage and links etc to the different topics. There is quite a lot of good information on your site at the moment and with a little bit of organisation it would be a good site to visit.

:agent:

William T Brooks

Great your experiences.
What's a impressive stunt.
Young Chilibill shoud surely have been popular among young girls.

Dogs that co-stared with Duke were famous ,Sam in Hondo, Clancy in
The North to Alaska, dog(called Dog) in Big Jake.
and I'll add them mongrel Navajo dog in Yellow Ribbon.
dogs can be often seen in the Western films.
but, how about cats?
I can't remember exept just one cat named general in True Grit.

Regards,
H.sanada

Hi Hi Sanada

That cat is also in "Rooster Cogburn," I don't know if its the same cat (in real life) or not as the one in "True Grit,"I would assume it probably is not.

Regarding dogs there is also one in "The Searchers," which plays quite an important role within the movie as does the dog in "The Green Berets".

:agent:

Hi Hi Sanada

That cat is also in "Rooster Cogburn," I don't know if its the same cat (in real life) or not as the one in "True Grit,"I would assume it probably is not.

Regarding dogs there is also one in "The Searchers," which plays quite an important role within the movie as does the dog in "The Green Berets".

:agent:
Hi Robbie
Thanks for your information.
Yes, The cat in Rooster Cogburn is so nice, he (or she )likes beer!

And the dog in The Searchers ,when Eathan sat on the porch lonely, the dog sat also with him. it was a very impressive scene.
oh,i had remembered another dog in films,
In The Stagecoach, a black cat are running in the street before gunfight.
black cat is an unlucky symbol in west?

Regards,
H.sanada

Hey Bill, what other films were you in?

Inspired to watch She Wore a Yellow Ribbon today to review what fading is evident in DVD print. It isnt bad and there are signs of negative wear and some scenes are fine colour wise I think the fading issue is more evident in Monument Valley scenes were they do appear more washed out. I think this is more surprising knowing that this was filmed in Technicolor. I know from seeing other prints such as 35mm and even 16mm/8mm that they was definitely stronger colours present with them. I wonder will there be a reissue of this film with a remastered print on DVD


Mike

An enjoyable cavalry romp, I may watch this again later on today

The memorable, stand out scene is when Duke receives his watch from the troop and then retires

Great movie

This is one of my favorite roles - second to Ethan Edwards in "The Searchers" - I cannot for the LIFE of me figure out how people can actually keep a straight face and say that John Wayne had no range as an actor. He was COMPLETELY believable as Captain Nathan Brittles, even though the Duke was 42 playing about 65!

The mutual respect and affection between he and "Quincannon" was INCREDIBLY good acting, and showed the comfort level that existed between the two actors.

I really liked this movie the hidden jug the social life in the fort the action, what a great movie

Here are the press kit posters re-released in Japan 1960.
http://www.dukewayne.com/imagehosting/108648141936c14fd.jpg

http://www.dukewayne.com/imagehosting/108648141963010ad.jpg
H.sanada

Very beautiful movie with a so romantic title!

I'm amazed that the film only received one Oscar nomination, maybe today we cherish films like these more compared to all the junk that is put out

sorry for late, the poster is from Italy!!!

regards. Frank


HI

This one is also attractive although I'm not quite sure what nationality it is.

Regards

Arthur

My favorite of the 4 cavalry pictures he did for Ford. The character I feel is one his warmest and very likable, in fact this is my favorite character he played. Anyway one thing I noticed was that he looks like J.B Books 27 years before hand.


Lt. B., now that you mentioned it, it is like Duke had a dress rehearsal for his part as Books for he does look like him in Ribbon. Good point.

John Agar was billed as a top actor in this movie, as if it was his coming out movie. He never really took off as a fan favorite if I recall correctly.

Maybe someone else here knows more about Agar, that was just what I remembered and not quite sure if it is right.

John Agar was billed as a top actor in this movie, as if it was his coming out movie. He never really took off as a fan favorite if I recall correctly.

Maybe someone else here knows more about Agar, that was just what I remembered and not quite sure if it is right.
Hi Jeff,
You can read more on our dedicated thread:-


Pals Of The Saddle- John Agar (http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=2092)

Thanks EE.

There's another dog scene earlier in 'Yellow Ribbon' where Nathan, Alshard and Tyree are discussing the markings on an arrow and Ben Johnson points to the sign of the Cheyenne Dog Soldier. Right on cue a dog trots by in the background, a typical example of Ford visually reinforcing a line.
Similarly in 'McLintock', when Patrick Wayne tell Duke: "You're Wrong!", theres a chinese laundry across the street with the name 'Wong' prominently displayed!
Spotting these little extra bits of business is fun and it might be nice to have more examples from anyone interested in this type of thing...

Heber Snow,

First of all, welcome to the Original John Wayne Message Board! We're glad to see you 'get your feet wet' and make your first posts today!

Thanks for your interesting observations regarding some of the closer details in the films! We'll be watching more closely for such things, and hope you will share similar sightings from other JW movies!

Again, WELCOME, and we look forward to getting to know you better in the days and weeks to come!

Chester :newyear: and the Mrs. :angel1:

Thanks, Chester!
We all had to cross the river!
Happy New Year from Hartlepool!!

Probably my fav JW film, I've often wondered why Ward Bond wasn't in it

Heber Snow,
Here is a Little Story about the Navajo Dog that keep Getting in John Ford's Hair in the Making of "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon."
Chilibill
:cowboy:
http://www.ranch26bar.com/WHOSDOG.html

Here is a little Slide Show of the Great Ford, Wayne Film
"She Wore A Yellow Ribbon"
Now is The Time To Watch This Great John Wayne Film Again !!!
:wink_smile:
And if you Look Real Close You Might See Someone You Know as the Pony Express Rider and the man With The Company Flag ?
:teeth_smile:
Chilibill
:cowboy:

v2PtVgmjM5Q

Here are some Film Clips from
"She Wore A Yellow Ribbon"
One of the Best of John Wayne Films !
(bud)
And He would say Many Times that it was His Favoite Film !!
:wink_smile:
Duke At His Best !!!
:teeth_smile:
Chilibill

7bVJOcJvjTY

QhnDe_rTk_o

JAIcTFumZKE

The First Clip is of
"Victor McLaglen"
And The Big Fight In The Saloon !!!
:box:
The Second Film Clip show Ben Johnson and One Of The Best Stunts in Films, a Jump over a 50 feet Deep Canyon on Horse Back !!!
(bud)
Chilibill
:cowboy:

RW2vce5s5lE

UZhQNelt3Co

And The End Of The Film,
"Brittles Returns"
:teeth_smile:
"SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON"
(bud)
Chilibill
:cowboy:

0M89FHxNb1A

At the end of this Film Clip it will show you Capt. Brittles Cabin and Office from the Great Film
"She Wore A Yellow Ribbon"
:teeth_smile:
It is the Only Part of Film Sets that are still left from The Film because it was made of Native Stone, and is now a small Museum and is at Gouldings Trading Post in Monument Valley and is Open To The Public !
:wink_smile:
Then a Little Tour of Monument Valley, with Shots of the old road used in "Stagecoach" and a Good Shot of "Ford's Point" and just Click on,
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
===============
:shades_smile:
Chilibill
:cowboy:

wnUToEpob28

DxZbdqXwtXg

This is a little Tour by Air of Monument Valley where the Great Film
"She Wore A Yellow Ribbon"
Was Filmed !
:teeth_smile:
Chilibill
:cowboy:

QP7pcaaV0aI

One more on
Monument Valley
The place that John Ford and John Wayne Did those Great Films like
"Stagecoach"
"Fort Apache"
"She Wore A Yellow Ribbon"
(bud)

Chilibill
:cowboy:

1e6CEg1DidA

Great clips Bill

Thanks for sharing & posting.

Mike

I screencapped all of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Yup, the whole thing. You can find the screencaps at http://benjohnsonscreencaps.shutterfly.com.

Here are a few screencaps which I hope will entice you over to see more. :)

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/She%20Wore%20a%20Yellow%20Ribbon/Ribbon-1584.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/She%20Wore%20a%20Yellow%20Ribbon/Ribbon-1676.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/She%20Wore%20a%20Yellow%20Ribbon/Ribbon-2349.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/She%20Wore%20a%20Yellow%20Ribbon/Ribbon-2843.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/She%20Wore%20a%20Yellow%20Ribbon/Ribbon-393.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/She%20Wore%20a%20Yellow%20Ribbon/Ribbon-3172.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/She%20Wore%20a%20Yellow%20Ribbon/Ribbon-441.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/She%20Wore%20a%20Yellow%20Ribbon/Ribbon-4815.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/She%20Wore%20a%20Yellow%20Ribbon/Ribbon-5772.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/She%20Wore%20a%20Yellow%20Ribbon/Ribbon-51036.jpg

Seeing those screencaps just reinforces my opinion that the movie is a beautiful work of art.

the screencaps are just so beauiful,its like looking at the paintings that Frederic Remington did of the wild west.

Great post Paula, thanks for such vivid pictures

Thanks! Go on over to the website and you'll see lots more of those screencaps --5,1083 total! ;)

Just follow Duke -- he's pointing the way. ;)

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/She%20Wore%20a%20Yellow%20Ribbon/Ribbon-5334.jpg

Those are incredible! Thankyou!

Lobby Card Mexicaine

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg10.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=2974&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg11.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=2975&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg12.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=2976&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg13.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=2977&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg14.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=2991&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg15.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=2992&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg16.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=2993&u=11975903)

Lobby Card Mexicaine

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg17.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=3046&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg18.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=3047&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg19.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=3048&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg20.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=3116&u=11975903)

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/la_leg21.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=3117&u=11975903)

Added this to my Ben Johnson webpage today.

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/Ben%20Pics/SWAYR-5S-1.jpg

I’ve been watching this movie on the Encores’ Western channel every time it comes on.
I finally noticed something at the funeral scene where they are burying the settlers and the Trooper. As Captain Brittles finishes his eulogy and Tyree steps up and ask permission to place the Confederate Flag on the Coffin of Trooper John Smith, he grants permission and turns to the bugler to signal to play taps. Tyree starts to kneel down. He turns and walks off, the bugler step up and swings the bulge up and starts playing. The next scene shows Tyree knelt down placing the homemade flag. In the background, you can see the legs of Captain Brittle walk off, the bugler step up and swing the bugle up to play. All this while taps was already playing.
It’s mostly a continuity error, but I had never noticed it before. I was wondering if anyone else had noticed it as well.
I love this movie and watch it whenever it comes on. I finally ordered it on DVD just so I could see it when I wanted to and not wait for Encore or TCM to show it.
Also while Frank McGrath was unaccredited, he was in almost every scene with John Wayne when they were riding out on the trail. I get the feeling he really didn’t play the bugle. Somehow he doesn’t seem to make the motions of playing when you watch him.

The Duke at his best! Two Thumbs Up! I give it a 9++ !!

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/Ben%20Pics/SWAYR-6C-1.jpg
http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/Ben%20Pics/SWAYR-6snipe.jpg

http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/Ben%20Pics/SWAYR-6C-1.jpg
http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx61/pvitari/Ben%20Pics/SWAYR-6snipe.jpg

The caption on this picture references sometihing about a Rudy Bowman (presumably the guy on the left) and some sort of throat injury. Anybody know the back story on this one? Seems like there must be one.

I've done some research, but I was unable to find anything about his throat injury. Very little at all about him, in fact. I sure am curious now! I also notice that at the bottom of the writing it says "more". I wonder if there was more written on the back of the photo or on another piece of paper or something.

No, there isn't anything else on the back of the photo.

A friend of mine who is also a big Ben Johnson fan did find some information in a Reader's Digest online about Rudy Bowman's throat injury suffered during a World War I battle:


Bleeding at the throat, he tried to cry out for help, but he could not make a sound. Shrapnel had blasted out his vocal cords. Breathing also was difficult. A section of his trachea had been severed to form a valve that fluttered shut when he took a deep breath. Only by holding his breathing to slow, shallow drafts could he get any air at all.


The next day at a hospital in Barois, doctors prepared to operate. Nurses had an ether cone ready. Frantically Bowman motioned for pencil and paper. Weak from pain and loss of blood, he managed to scrawl: "Controlling breathing. If you use ether I'll choke." The doctor quickly made an incision in Bowman's throat and inserted a breathing tube. Thirteen months and 11 hospitals later the only sound Bowman could make was that of clearing his throat. Nurses and doctors looked at him with pity — on a routine vocational questionnaire he had written that he wanted to become an actor.