BEN JOHNSON

130


INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Date of birth (location)
13 June 1918
Foraker, Shidler, Oklahoma, USA
Date of death (details)
8 April 1996
Mesa, Arizona, USA. (apparent heart attack)
Height
6' 3" (1.91 m)
Spouse
Carol Elaine Jones (1941 - 1994) (her death)

Trivia

Died while visiting his mother in the 'retirement community' where not only she but he himself lived.

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994

A prize belt buckle that he won for calf roping was stolen from his car when he visited Houston in 1976; on a repeat visit a decade later he was an on-air guest on radio station KIKK when a caller returned the buckle to him.

He initially turned down the role in The Last Picture Show (1971) for which he won the Academy Award because the script contained too many curse words; with permission of the director, Peter Bogdanovich he rewrote his part with the offensive words removed.

As he was, his father, Ben Johnson, Sr., was a champion steer roper. The senior Johnson was also a cattleman and rancher who was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1961.

Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1982.

His father, Ben Johnson, Sr., was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame of the Rodeo Historical Society (a support group of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum) in 1961. The Ben Johnson Memorial Award, in honor of his father, is awarded annually to prominent representatives of the western character and spirit (since 1998).

Johnson, his father, and nephew have Belt-Buckle awards for team roping.

Had Osage and Irish blood.

He turned down the role of Sam the Lion in "The Last Picture Show" when it was first offered to him by Peter Bogdanovich because he thought the script was "dirty" and he did not approve of swearing and nudity in motion pictures. Bogdanovich appealed to John Ford, who got Johnson to change his mind as a favor to him. Johnson won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar playing the role.

Johnson got his first big break as a member of John Ford's stock company in the late 40s. However, during the making of Rio Grande, Johnson and Ford had a brief verbal argument. All seemed well afterward, and nothing further was said of it, so Ben assumed it was completely blown over. However, Ford declined to use Johnson in any of his films after that for another 14 years, when Ben played a small part in the director's Cheyenne Autumn. They did manage to maintain a friendly relationship nonetheless.

Personal quotes

"Everybody in town's a better actor than I am, but none of them can play Ben Johnson."

"You know, I'd say that aside from Mr. Ford's help in my career, I'd lay any success I've had to not expecting too much. I never expected to become a star and was always content to stay two or three rungs down the ladder and last awhile. When I do get a little ahead, I see what I can do to help others."

[On leaving Oklahoma for Hollywood, where he became a horse wrangler for Howard Hawks on
"The Outlaw" (1943)] "I'd been making a dollar a day as a cowboy, and my first check in Hollywood was for $300.
After that, you couldn't have driven me back to Oklahoma with a club."

Mini biography

Born in Oklahoma, Ben Johnson was a ranch hand and rodeo preformer when, in 1940, Howard Hughes hired him to take a load of horses to California. He decided to stick around (the pay was good), and for some years was a stunt man, horse wrangler, and double for such stars as John Wayne, Gary Cooper and James Stewart. His break came when John Ford noticed him and gave him a part in an upcoming film, and eventually a star part in Wagon Master (1950). He left Hollywood in 1953 to return to rodeo, where he won a world roping championship, but at the end of the year he had barely cleared expenses. The movies paid better, and were less risky, so he returned to the west coast and a career that saw him in over 300 movies.

Bruce Cameron


Biography
from Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia:

Former rodeo star Johnson broke into the movie business in 1940, first as a horse wrangler and later as a double for cowboy star Wild Bill Elliott. After years of stuntwork, he was "discovered" by director John Ford, who may have seen another John Wayne in the tall, good-looking, slow-drawling Oklahoman. Johnson eased into acting with supporting roles in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Mighty Joe Young (both 1949), and Rio Grande (1950), and Ford starred him with Harry Carey, Jr., in Wagon Master (1950), but the likable Johnson just didn't seem to be star material. He returned to character parts, mostly in Westerns (including Shane, One-Eyed Jacks and Hang 'em High and matured into a fine, if limited, actor. (He never forsook his roots; in 1953 he was the World's Champion Steer Roper.) He was a favorite of director Sam Peckinpah, and appeared in his Major Dundee (1965), The Wild Bunch (1969), Junior Bonner and The Getaway (both 1972). Johnson's career took a major leap forward when he won an Oscar for his performance as Sam the Lion, the theater owner in The Last Picture Show (1971). He subsequently appeared in Dillinger (1973, as Melvin Purvis), The Sugarland Express (1974), Bite the Bullet (1975), Breakheart Pass (1976), The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1977), The Swarm (1978), Tex (1982), Red Dawn (1984), My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (1991), and Radio Flyer (1992), among others. More recently, he appeared in Angels in the Outfield (1994) and Outlaws (1995). Johnson's weather-beaten features make him an icon for any filmmaker chronicling the American West-past or present.

Copyright © 1994 Leonard Maltin, used by arrangement with Signet, a division of Penguin Putnam, Inc.

Actor - filmography

1. The Evening Star (1996) .... Arthur Cotton
2. Ruby Jean and Joe (1996) (TV) .... Big Man
3. Bonanza: Under Attack (1995) (TV) .... Bronc Evans
4. Angels in the Outfield (1994) .... Hank Murphy
... aka Angels (UK)
5. The Outlaws: Legend of O.B. Taggart (1994)
6. Bonanza: The Return (1993) (TV) .... Bronc Evans
7. Radio Flyer (1992) .... Geronimo Bill
8. My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (1991) .... Jesse Dalton
9. The Chase (1991) (TV) .... Laurienti
10. Back to Back (1990) .... Eli Hix

11. The Last Ride (1989)
12. Dark Before Dawn (1988) .... The Sheriff
13. Stranger on My Land (1988) (TV) .... Vern Whitman
14. Cherry 2000 (1987) .... Six-Fingered Jake, Tracker
15. Let's Get Harry (1986) .... Harry Burck Sr.
... aka The Rescue
16. "Dream West" (1986) (mini) TV Series .... Jim Bridger
17. Trespasses (1986) .... August Klein
18. Wild Horses (1985) (TV) .... Bill Ward
19. Red Dawn (1984) .... Mr. Mason
20. Champions (1984) .... Burly Cocks
21. The Shadow Riders (1982) (TV) .... Uncle 'Black Jack' Traven
... aka Louis L'Amour's The Shadow Riders
22. Tex (1982) .... Cole Collins
23. Ruckus (1981) .... Mr. Sam Bellows
... aka Big Ruckus in a Small Town (USA: video title)
... aka Ruckus in Madoc Country
... aka The Loner
24. Terror Train (1980) .... Carne, Train Conductor
... aka Monstre du train, Le (Canada: French title)
... aka Train of Terror
25. The Hunter (1980) .... Sheriff Strong
26. Wild Times (1980) (TV) .... Doc Bogardus
27. Soggy Bottom, USA (1980) .... Isum Gorch
... aka Swamp Rats

28. The Sacketts (1979) (TV) .... Cap Roundtree
... aka The Daybreakers (USA: cut version)
29. The Swarm (1978) .... Felix
30. Grayeagle (1978) .... John Colter
31. The Greatest (1977) .... Hollis
32. The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1977) .... Captain J.D. Morales
33. The Savage Bees (1976) (TV) .... Sheriff Donald McKew
34. Hustle (1975) .... Marty Hollinger
35. Breakheart Pass (1975) .... Deputy U.S. Marshal Nathan Pearce
36. Bite the Bullet (1975) .... Mister
37. Locusts (1974) (TV) .... Amos Fletcher
38. The Sugarland Express (1974) .... Captain Harlin Tanner
39. Blood Sport (1973) (TV) .... Dwayne Birdsong
40. Kid Blue (1973) .... Sheriff 'Mean John' Simpson
41. Runaway! (1973) (TV) .... Holly Gibson
... aka The Frozen Passage (UK: theatrical title)
... aka The Runaway Train (UK)
42. Dillinger (1973) .... Melvin Purvis
43. The Red Pony (1973) (TV) .... Jess Taylor
44. The Train Robbers (1973) .... Jesse
45. The Getaway (1972) .... Jack Beynon
46. Junior Bonner (1972) .... Buck Roan
47. Corky (1972) .... Boland
48. "Gunsmoke"
... aka Gun Law (UK)
... aka Marshal Dillon (USA: rerun title)
- Drago (1971) TV Episode .... Hannon
- Quaker Girl (1966) TV Episode .... Vern Morland
- Quint-Cident (1963) TV Episode .... Ben Crown
49. The Last Picture Show (1971) .... Sam the Lion
50. "Bonanza"
... aka Ponderosa (USA: rerun title)
- Top Hand (1971) TV Episode .... Kelly James
- Deserter, the (II) (1969) TV Episode .... Sgt. Samuel Bellis
- The Gamble (1962) TV Episode .... Deputy Sheriff Stan Mace
51. The Bull of the West (1971) (TV) .... Spinner
... aka Hot Lead
... aka Vengeance Is the Spur (USA)
52. Something Big (1971) .... Jesse Bookbinder
53. Chisum (1970) .... James Pepper

54. The Undefeated (1969) .... Short Grub
55. The Wild Bunch (1969) .... Tector Gorch
56. "Disneyland"
... aka Disney's Wonderful World (USA: new title)
... aka The Disney Sunday Movie (USA: new title)
... aka The Magical World of Disney (USA: new title)
... aka The Wonderful World of Disney (USA: new title)
... aka Walt Disney (USA: new title)
... aka Walt Disney Presents (USA: new title)
... aka Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (USA: new title)
- Ride a Northbound Horse: Part 2 (1969) TV Episode
- Ride a Northbound Horse: Part 1 (1969) TV Episode
- Ten Who Dared (1968) TV Episode .... George Bradley
57. Ride a Northbound Horse (1969) (TV)
58. "The Virginian"
... aka The Men from Shiloh (new title)
- Vision of Blindness (1968) TV Episode .... Jed Cooper
- Johnny Moon (1967) TV Episode .... Joe Hogan
- Dangerous Road (1965) TV Episode .... Jim Brandt
- Duel at Shiloh (1963) TV Episode .... Spinner
59. Hang 'Em High (1968) .... Marshal Dave Bliss
60. Will Penny (1968) .... Alex (Flat Iron Ranch foreman)
61. "The Monroes" (1966) TV Series .... Sleeve (1966-1967)
62. "ABC Stage 67"
- Noon Wine (1966) TV Episode .... Sheriff Barbee
63. The Rare Breed (1966) .... Jeff Harter
64. "Branded"
- McCord's Way (1966) TV Episode .... Bill Latigo
65. "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre"
... aka The Chrysler Theater
... aka Universal Star Time (syndication title)
- March from Camp Tyler (1965) TV Episode .... Burt Wade
66. Major Dundee (1965) .... Sgt. Chillum
67. "Perry Mason"
- The Case of the Reckless Rock Hound (1964) TV Episode .... Kelly
68. Cheyenne Autumn (1964) (uncredited) .... Trooper Plumtree
... aka John Ford's Cheyenne Autumn (USA: complete title)
69. "Stoney Burke"
- Point of Honor (1962) TV Episode .... Rex Donally
70. "Have Gun - Will Travel"
- The Fifth Bullet (1962) TV Episode .... John Bartlett
- The Race (1961) TV Episode .... Sam Crabbe
- A Head of Hair (1960) TV Episode
71. "Route 66"
- A Long Piece of Mischief (1962) TV Episode .... Del
72. "Laramie"
- Widow in White (1961) TV Episode .... Tarp
- A Sound of Bells (1960) TV Episode .... Driver
- Hour After Dawn (1960) TV Episode
73. Tomboy and the Champ (1961) .... Uncle Jim
74. One-Eyed Jacks (1961) .... Bob Amory
75. Ten Who Dared (1960) .... George Bradley

76. "Border Patrol"
... aka U.S. Border Patrol (USA)
- Everglades Story (1959) TV Episode
77. "Alfred Hitchcock Presents"
- And the Desert Shall Blossom (1958) TV Episode .... Sheriff
78. "The Restless Gun"
- No Way to Kill (1958) TV Episode .... Sheriff Tim Malachy
79. "Navy Log"
- Florida Weekend (1958) TV Episode .... Border Patrol Officer
80. "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet"
... aka Ozzie and Harriet
- Top Gun (1958) TV Episode .... Tex Barton
81. Fort Bowie (1958) .... Capt. Thomas Thompson
82. Slim Carter (1957) .... Montana Burriss
83. War Drums (1957) .... Luke Fargo
84. "Cavalcade of America"
... aka DuPont Presents the Cavalcade Theatre (USA: fourth season title)
... aka DuPont Theater (USA: fifth season title)
- Once a Hero (1956) TV Episode
85. Rebel in Town (1956) .... Frank Mason
86. Oklahoma! (1955) (uncredited) .... Wrangler
87. Simba (1955) .... Kimani
... aka Simba - Mark of Mau Mau!
88. Shane (1953) .... Chris Calloway
89. Wild Stallion (1952/I) .... Dan Light
90. Fort Defiance (1951) .... Ben Shelby
91. Rio Grande (1950) .... Trooper Travis Tyree
... aka John Ford and Merian C. Cooper's Rio Grande (USA: complete title)
92. Wagon Master (1950) .... Travis Blue

93. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) .... Sgt. Tyree
94. Mighty Joe Young (1949) .... Gregg
... aka Mr. Joseph Young of Africa
95. 3 Godfathers (1948) .... Posse man #1
96. The Gallant Legion (1948) (uncredited)
97. Badman's Territory (1946) (uncredited) .... Deputy
98. The Naughty Nineties (1945) (uncredited) .... Coach driver
99. Nevada (1944) (uncredited) .... Saloon Patron
100. Tall in the Saddle (1944) (uncredited) .... Townsman
101. Bordertown Gun Fighters (1943) (uncredited) .... Messenger
102. The Outlaw (1943) (uncredited)

103. The Fighting Gringo (1939) (uncredited) .... Mexican Barfly

Stunts - filmography

1. Oklahoma! (1955) (stunt double) (uncredited)

2. 3 Godfathers (1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
3. The Kissing Bandit (1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
4. Red River (1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
5. The Gallant Legion (1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
6. Fort Apache (1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka War Party
7. Wyoming (1947) (stunts) (uncredited)
8. Ramrod (1947) (stunts) (uncredited)
9. Angel and the Badman (1947) (stunt double) (uncredited)
... aka The Angel and the Outlaw
10. Out California Way (1946) (stunt double: Monte Hale) (uncredited)
11. Smoky (1946) (stunts) (uncredited)
12. Badman's Territory (1946) (stunts) (uncredited)
13. California Gold Rush (1946) (stunt double) (uncredited)
14. Santa Fe Saddlemates (1945) (stunt double) (uncredited)
15. Nevada (1944) (stunts) (uncredited)
16. The Old Texas Trail (1944) (stunts) (uncredited)
... aka Stagecoach Line (UK)
17. Tall in the Saddle (1944) (stunts) (uncredited)
18. Tarzan's Desert Mystery (1943) (stunt double) (uncredited)
19. Blazing Guns (1943) (stunts) (uncredited)
20. Bordertown Gun Fighters (1943) (stunts) (uncredited)
21. Arizona Trail (1943) (stunt double) (uncredited)
22. Riders of the Rio Grande (1943) (stunts) (uncredited)
23. The Outlaw (1943) (stunts) (uncredited)
24. The Durango Kid (1940) (stunt double) (uncredited)
... aka The Masked Stranger (UK)

25. The Fighting Gringo (1939) (stunts) (uncredited)

Himself - filmography

1. Ben Johnson: Third Cowboy on the Right (1996) .... Himself
2. 100 Years of the Hollywood Western (1994) (TV) .... Himself
3. Warren Oates: Across the Border (1993) .... Himself
4. Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas (1991) .... Himself
5. Thank Ya, Thank Ya Kindly (1991) (TV) .... Himself
6. John Ford (1990) (TV) .... Himself

7. Hollywood on Horses (1989) (V) .... Himself
8. "Oklahoma Passage" (1989) (mini) TV Series .... Himself
9. "Étoiles et toiles"
- Episode dated 14 April 1986 (1986) TV Episode .... Himself

10. Inside 'The Swarm' (1978) (TV) .... Himself
11. The 48th Annual Academy Awards (1976) (TV) .... Himself - Co-presenter: Best Supporting Actor
12. The 44th Annual Academy Awards (1972) (TV) .... Himself - Best Supporting Actor Winner
13. "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson"
... aka The Best of Carson (USA: rerun title)
- Episode dated 17 February 1972 (1972) TV Episode .... Himself

Archive Footage

1. Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade (2004) (TV) .... Himself
2. AFI's 100 Years, 100 Thrills: America's Most Heart-Pounding Movies (2001) (TV) .... Himself
3. The 69th Annual Academy Awards (1997) (TV) .... Himself (Memorial Tribute)

Hi,
Ben Johnson, talented horseman, and actor, made 10 films with Duke,

The Train Robbers ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) (1973) .... Jesse
Chisum ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) (1970) .... James Pepper
The Undefeated ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) (1969) .... Short Grub
Rio Grande ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) (1950) .... Trooper Travis Tyree
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) (1949) .... Sgt. Tyree
Red River ([Only registered and activated users can see links])(1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
Fort Apache ([Only registered and activated users can see links])(1948) (stunts) (uncredited)
3 Godfathers ([Only registered and activated users can see links])(1948) .... Posse man #1.... (stunts) (uncredited)
Angel and the Badman ([Only registered and activated users can see links])(1947) (stunt double) (uncredited)
Tall in the Saddle ([Only registered and activated users can see links])(1944) (uncredited) .... Townsman....(stunts) (uncredited)

Ben, once said of Duke's honesty,
If he told you tomorrow's Christmas, you would get your stocking ready,
He was that kind of person .

On the set of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,
he claimed, he and Duke had a similar approach to acting,
and he said,
Duke's idea was,"How would John Wayne do it?"..
and that's the same theory I've got.I don't consider myself an actor;
I consider myself a character, Ben Johnson.
Everybody in town, is a better actor than I am,
but I can play the hell out of Ben Johnson.
Duke more or less played himself. .

During the night at location in MV, Ben, recalled the extraordinary evenings,,
the poker games and the sing-a-longs.
Just behind Goulding's Lodge, was a gigantic rock wall.
'Right down below us,like a quarter of a mile.....
a fire would start up, and the Indians, would start singing and dancing.
The sound bounced off this rock wall, and out into the valley..
it was the eeriest sound.
I personally think Ben Johnson, was more than a character actor,
I think he was a star in own right, and won an Academy Award to vindicate this.
During the filming of The Train Robbers, Ben was nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting role in THE LAST PICTURE SHOW.
At the time, Ben was with Duke in Durango, Duke loaned Ben his plane, wished him luck and sent him to LA.
Ben returned with an Oscar in his hand, and Duke's faith in unaffected acting was again confirmed.

I really enjoyed his portrayal of trooper Travis Tyree in Rio Grande and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, one tough hombre, but very likeable. ;)

Chester :newyear:

Hello Chester,

I echo your sentiments... Those are two of my favorite of Duke's movies and Ben Johnson was a big reason why. I also liked him in 3 Godfathers... I think he would have made a nice contribution to The Searchers.


-ncb

Hi nathan_brittles,

Nathan, you are probabaly aware of this, but folks who are not.

Ben, was not used in The Searchers , as he fell out with Ford big time,
during the making of Rio Grande ,
After the filming of the Indian attack on the Catholic church,
Ben, Duke, Ford, and Maureen and Dobe Carey, were having dinner,
when Ben drawled,
Well. there was a lot of shootin', but not too many Indians bit the dust.
It was an off the cuff, comic remark, but Ford was furious,
he said,
What did you say?
I was just talkin' to Dobe,Mr. Ford,
Ben replied
I know, what did you say?
Ford got nasty,called him stupid, the whole row blew up,
and Ben stormed off.
Ford, knew he had 'screwed up, because Ben had a quiet temperament.
Ben Johnson remained on the film,
but Ford dropped him from his Stock company,
and it was 13 years, before the two worked together again.

Hope this explains it,

Originally posted by chester7777@Feb 17 2006, 01:24 AM
I really enjoyed his portrayal of trooper Travis Tyree in Rio Grande and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, one tough hombre, but very likeable. ;)

Chester* :newyear:
27359


I agree 100%, he was just like seeing an old friend in a movie.


Baby Sis

:cowboy: :cowboy: :cowboy:

He was a really handsome man is his youth.

Until we started really watching JW movies in earnest, we didn't really know who Ben Johnson was. But we do now!

Here are some interesting sites, that might offer some more perspective on this actor -

Award Winners - Ben Johnson ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Ben Johnson in the Encyclohopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Notable Names Database - Ben Johnson ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
USA Deep South - Ben Johnson ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Great Character Actors - Ben Johnson ([Only registered and activated users can see links])


Mrs. C :angel1:

Hey Mrs. C,

This is really good. I didn’t know all that. I seem to learn more and more everyday.

Cheers B)

Hi Sue,

Thanks for the links, it all helps!

Hi all,
I agree with all of you about Ben Johnson, I like him in all Duke movies, but what I like best is his way of riding a horse - it is a sight for sore eyes! Expecially at She wore a yellow Ribbon. And how can we forget Roman style riding in Rio Grande. The detailes of prepearing it was well described by Harry Carey Jr. in his book.
Regards,
Vera :rolleyes:

Ben Johnson was always a Gentleman and always EZ to be around. :) The last time that I saw and talked to Ben was at Duke's 80th Birthday Party in Sedona, Arizona back in the 1980s. Every one liked him But John Ford! :fear2:

You can go to the Sites Below for a few Pictures of Him and a Little more Info. on His Falling out with John Ford. But any time Ford wanted some one that could "Ride a Horse Hell Bent For Leather" he went to Ben Johnson :angry:

Ben Johnson was the Best on Horse Back that I had ever Seen! :rolleyes:

Ben Johnson ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

MAKING OF RIO GRANDE ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Chilibill :cowboy:

Hi Bill,
Thank you for the photos and story. They are wonderful as always.
Regards,
Vera :rolleyes:

Ben Johnson has always been one of my favorites. Never saw him in a role I didn't like. But, what he said about not taking that role in The Last Picture Show because he didn't approve of nudity and cursing in movies doesn't make sense. Four years earlier, he did The Wild Bunch and he and Warren Oates had some scenes in a vat of wine with two half naked Mexican women. Didn't seem to mind then. Still, I do agree with him. I like to see naked women on the screen as much as anyone and the cursing doesn't bother me much, unless they start using Jesus Christ name in them but, I don't think they need that stuff in a movie for it to be a good movie. It's just uneccessary.

Originally posted by WaynamoJim@Mar 20 2006, 10:49 PM
. I like to see naked women on the screen as much as anyone 29635


Hi,
Certainly I'm not anyone.

Originally posted by Senta@Mar 21 2006, 12:51 AM
Hi,
Certainly I'm not anyone.
29642


Certainly no offense intended on your behalf, Senta. Most men in this country like that sort of stuff. I don't mind it, though, I don't think it's ever necessary. They got along without it during the lates 30's up to the late 60's. My wife thinks it just plain stinks to put that stuff in movies. Same with the using of Christs name in such a careless manner. She won't watch anything if it's in there and if, it shows up even near the end of a movie, she'll turn it off or walk out.

Speaking of "The Wild Bunch", I just watched it yesterday and I think it was more of Peckinpah thing with all the swearing.

I had a chance to sit down and start watch the "Train Robbers" earlier and I have to say that ol' Ben Johnson was not just a fine actor, but a perfect compliment for Duke. I never really knew he was such an accomplished actor, nor did I ever recognize that he was in so many of Duke's movies until I read an "Arizona Highways" article chronicling his passing. Since then, I have become quite a fan of his movies. I know, a slow start, but I caught on. :headbonk:
Bo

Originally posted by bopoppa@Jul 5 2006, 04:30 PM
I had a chance to sit down and start watch the "Train Robbers" earlier and I have to say that ol' Ben Johnson was not just a fine actor, but a perfect compliment for Duke.* I never really knew he was such an accomplished actor, nor did I ever recognize that he was in so many of Duke's movies until I read an "Arizona Highways" article chronicling his passing.* Since then, I have become quite a fan of his movies.* I know, a slow start, but I caught on.* :headbonk:
Bo
32708

I always liked Ben Johnson. I remember the exact time and place I was at when I heard of his passing. I was in the waiting room of Spohn Hospital waiting to be checked in, and it was on the NBC evening news and was the last news story reported.

I've been a big fan of Ben Johnson since first watching him in Duke's early cavalry movies. If you get a chance to see the early version of 'Mighty Joe Young', and 'Shane' you can also see a lot of him.

I really love reading 'Arizona Highways' - I always pick up a copy whenever I make it to Arizona.


-ncb

Ben Johnson played a nasty villain in "One Eyed Jacks," where he made his character quite believable. He played a number of other shady characters over the years, such as in "The Getaway" with Steve McQueen (some scenes were filmed here in San Antonio, noteably the ones on our fabled River Walk), but his character in "Jacks" had no redeeming features.
Cheers - Jay :D

And look at all the movies I never knew he was in and now can look forward to watching. This site is fantastic. Thank you as always.
Bo

Ben Johnson was also really good in "Bite The Bullet" with Gene Hackman & "The Shadow Riders" with Sam Elliott & Tom Selleck....

Shoot....Ben Johnson was just great in any darn movie he was ever in !!!!!

Just my opinion, but I think his best role (outside of his roles in John Wayne films) was that of Cap Rountree in The Sacketts.
Best,
Colorado Bob

Yep! Whole bunch of good un's in The Sacketts!

You have to turn to television now for the really good Westerns. Thank goodness, there's at least one medium left that hasn't written them off completely. And thank goodness for the likes of Elliott, Selleck, Duvall, etc. who use the medium to good advantage.....

Originally posted by bopoppa@Jul 5 2006, 11:30 PM
I had a chance to sit down and start watch the "Train Robbers" earlier and I have to say that ol' Ben Johnson was not just a fine actor, but a perfect compliment for Duke.* I never really knew he was such an accomplished actor, nor did I ever recognize that he was in so many of Duke's movies until I read an "Arizona Highways" article chronicling his passing.* Since then, I have become quite a fan of his movies.* I know, a slow start, but I caught on.* :headbonk:
Bo
32708

Hi all,
I don't know how to add link, but you can see a lot about Ben Johnson in the special thread in Pals of the Saddle section.
Regards,
Senta :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Jay J. Foraker@Jul 5 2006, 04:12 PM
Ben Johnson played a nasty villain in "One Eyed Jacks," where he made his character quite believable.* He played a number of other shady characters over the years, such as in "The Getaway" with Steve McQueen (some scenes were filmed here in San Antonio, noteably the ones on our fabled River Walk), but his character in "Jacks" had no redeeming features.
Cheers - Jay :D
32721


I agree, he played a very good bad man in that movie. I thought he did a great job, though I was very dissapointed in him when he shot Marlon Brando's buddy in cold blood :o

It's funny, all the great westerns he was in..and he won his only Oscar for The Last Picture Show, which took place in the 50's.

Here's a little tid-bit from IMDB about his taking that roll:

He turned down the role of Sam the Lion in The Last Picture Show (1971)
when it was first offered to him by Peter Bogdanovich because he thought
the script was "dirty" and he did not approve of swearing and nudity in
motion pictures. Bogdanovich appealed to John Ford, who got Johnson to
change his mind as a favor to him. Johnson won a Best Supporting Actor
Oscar playing the role.

Mark

Ben Johnson started out as a Real Cowboy in Oklahoma before he went to films. :cowboy: Most of the people that saw him work thought that he became a Very Fine Actor in his later years. :) And everyone thought that He was the Best on Horse Back in the Western Films! :D

And He proved how good of a Actor He was by getting The Oscar for "The last Picture Show" in 1972. :jump: You can go to the Site Below for more Info. on Ben Johnson and His Films. :rolleyes:

BEN JOHNSON ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Chilibill :cowboy:

Chilibill,

Thanks for the post! Us Okies are proud to claim Ben Johnson.

As I recall, he spent his later years taking care of his mom in her old age.

He was a fine one, God Bless him!

Tbone

Originally posted by Tbone@Jul 6 2006, 09:48 AM
Chilibill,

Thanks for the post! Us Okies are proud to claim Ben Johnson.

As I recall, he spent his later years taking care of his mom in her old age.

He was a fine one, God Bless him!

Tbone
32745



If im not sadly mistaken, I THINK that the news report reporting his passing away, I THINK they mentioned that Ben Johnson died during a visit with his mother. I might be badly wrong but, that's what I could swear that I heard on the news.

Yes Ben has passed on. You are correct.

Originally posted by Tbone@Jul 7 2006, 09:47 AM
Yes Ben has passed on. You are correct.
32782


?

Hello all
I would put Ben johnson in my top ten of actors who worked more then once with the Duke.

Hi Kilo6.

I was wondering if you could give me the translation for your tag line?

I've got a good part of it but I'm not familiar with the term "sing" in Latin.

Thanks,
Tbone

Hello TBone
Thanks for the feedback I had misspelled it, I neither read or write in Latin and the ornate carving I took the last four words from was not easy to recognize. I did a little research and found the real spelling. These last four mean that all may be one. The first sentence has a history what did you translate it as meaning?

I'm having trouble with some of the spellings but as best I can make out, it is something to the effect of "To embellish the true and good is not detrimental when all are united as one."

Ut unum sint is how Our Lord begins His prayer to the Father that the church He has founded may always be one.

Ut unum sint.. May they be one... as You and I, Father, are one.

Tbone

Originally posted by Tbone@Jul 11 2006, 05:50 AM
I'm having trouble with some of the spellings but as best I can make out, it is something to the effect of "To embellish the true and good is not detrimental when all are united as one."

Ut unum sint is how Our Lord begins His prayer to the Father that the church He has founded may always be one.

Ut unum sint.. May they be one... as You and I, Father, are one.

Tbone
32878

It never ceases to amaze me the diverse gifts and knowledge that abound on this site. :huh: Tbone and Chilibill together at a campfire would require pen and paper or at least a tape recorder to remember everything that was said.
Bo

Hello All
Hello TBone I should have dropped the last four words to a lower or 2nd line as I added them to the first sentence without intending that they be read as one thought. I have gone back and edited my sig line so they now appear as two separate sentences. As for the first sentence I hope that my spelling there is not awry and thus misleading. I left a message with the faculty Dept of Classical & Near Eastern Studies at the University of British columbia asking for an exact translation of that sentence, so as to compare it with your translation. The original and ongoing thing with that motto which I adapted as a family creed years ago, is that if someone wanted to know what it meant they would have to do the research and then perhaps the sentiment would have more impact having been earned so to speak. You are one of few who has voiced an interest although many have seen it. It is written in large print on a laminated plastic sign attached to our mailbox at the front door. Anyhow I will be in touch with you via pm when I get word(s) back from UBC. :)

Hello All

Here’s a query for our experts

The actor Ben Johnson who was part of the John Ford company fell out with him during the filming of Rio Grande and did not work with the director again until Cheynne Autumn.

In looking at Ben’s career he didn’t seem to work with John Wayne from Rio Grande until he appeared with him again in The Undefeated, Train Robbers and Chisum.

Considering that Ben was a capable actor particularly in westerns did John Wayne not employ him out of deference to Ford because of their row or was it a case of their paths didn’t cross.


Mike

Mike;

Ben Johnson was a always a Gentelman, and Duke and Ben were very close for many years up till Duke's Passing in 1979 and never had anything bad about each other .:)

Below is a story about the making of "Rio Grande" that will tell you a little more about the Falling out of Ben Johnson and John Ford as told by Maureen O'Hara.:(

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Bill

Hi Bill

I knew I could depend on you.:)

Yes, I know that Duke and Ben never fell out but I find it strange that they never acted together from 1950-1969 when Ben was appearing in films particularly westerns everywhere else but with Duke.


Mike

That is an excellent question. I wonder how John Ford would have responded to Duke, if he had employed Ben in one of his films after Ford had banished Ben. We all know that John Ford was the one man who could tell Duke to jump, and he would reply 'how high?'.

Hi falc,

Here is the dedicated thread to Ben,
I am sure all you answers are here

Hi

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Fine picture any guesses on the film. My first choice was The Train Robbers, but I suppose it could be Chisum.

Regards

Arthur

Arthur, great photo!

I think The Train Robbers,

he wore a different hat band in Chisum

Arthur, That is a great photo!

Chester :newyear:

I remember a while back in '97 (give or take a year) that I bought an issue of a magazine called "Arizona Highways"?? and there was an article and pictures of Ben Johnson on a ride through Monument Valley. I believe this came after his passing as the title (if I remember correctly) was "Last Ride". If this is so, what a timely article and a very poetic last ride for such a man.

Bo

Ben Johnson was another H.H.N. in our house. I never really knew who he was until watching some John Wayne movies. However, I had seen several of his films without knowing who he was, such as: Mighty Joe Young and The Hunter w/ Steve McQueen. Two movies I was surprised that he was in were: Red Dawn and Cherry 2000.

I remember the day that it was announced on the news that he had passed away. I was sick and was checking myself into the hospital and heard it mentioned in the news. Damn, I sure hate seeing him gone.

Ben Johnson was an all time favorite of mine. I loved him with Duke in Chisum. I watch that movie allot.

Dixie

Ben Johnson was a Fine Man, and just like Duke played Duke, He played Ben Johnson and No one Else could do the Parts that He Did and He became a Very Fine Actor !
:thumbs_up:
Chilibill
:cowboy:

Ditto's ChiliBill, . . It always seems like he was the perfect actor for the part that he was playing.

Chester :newyear:

Why is it whenever I click on links to Ben Johnson's work I get a website about traveling of some sort? It's been like ever since I joined up in here. I never said anything before, but nosey me feels like she's missing something. It happens on allot of threads. HELP!!!!!!!

Dixie

Why is it whenever I click on links to Ben Johnson's work I get a website about traveling of some sort? It's been like ever since I joined up in here. I never said anything before, but nosey me feels like she's missing something. It happens on allot of threads. HELP!!!!!!!

Dixie


Dixie,
The links you tried the one is missing the photos and the other does take you to a travel site. You are doing nothing wrong.
Even the links Mrs C posted since they are from 2006 a few are broken. The second and last ones just in case they didn't work for you.

Dixie,
Even the links Mrs C posted since they are from 2006 a few are broken. The second and last ones just in case they didn't work for you.

Dixie and Shortgrub.
When posting external links, one is never to know
how long they will be good.

As far as links internally within this board, some do not fuction,
as they were transferred over from our old forum, and therefore,
cease to work on this board.

As far as links in the Movies, 'Pal's section,
I have spent many hours repairing them,
and hopefully, they all now function.

However, if you come across any that don't,
please PM me, with the rogue link.

EE, I wasn't complaining, just trying to help Dixie out. I know with older links you can run into problems that is why I said they are from 2006 so Dixie would understand.
Thanks for explaining the internal links.

Why is it whenever I click on links to Ben Johnson's work I get a website about traveling of some sort? It's been like ever since I joined up in here. I never said anything before, but nosey me feels like she's missing something. It happens on allot of threads. HELP!!!!!!!

Dixie
I went through the links in my post from 2006 and fixed any that were "broken" and removed at least one since it was no longer any good. Thanks for letting me know, and as Keith pointed out, don't hesitate to let the person who posted the link know if it's 'gone bad' so they have an opportunity to fix or remove it.

Mrs. C :angel1:

Thank you all so much for your information. I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me.

Dixie

Thank you all so much for your information. I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me.

Dixie

No problem, just enjoy yourself here