I've just watched the "3 Godfathers" and I was very impressed with the movie. It usually is not remembered as a great movie and maybe its not but it is certainly not as bad as many critics have generalised it as being. Dukes performance was good as were that of all the other cast members and the desert scenery was magnificent. If the film does have a fault it is that it drags a little and could have done with more of a punch possibly a little more action. However a good movie that should be watched by all.

What John Wayne movie(s) have you watched, expecting to be awful but but finding out that they were actually good. Why did you particulary like/enjoy the movie?

:agent:

Hi Robbie:

I've mentioned already a couple of times that The Three Godfathers is one of my favorites, though admittedly that doesn't mean much from me since I'm still such a newbie at this. Anyway, the film's got some problems, but I love the spiritual allegory (redemption in the "desert of life"), the symbolism, and the chemistry between Duke & Harry & Pedro. Ward Bond is excellent & enjoyable as always. This is one that I'd buy on DVD if it were available.

"B. Sweet!!!"

I can't think of any Duke movie that I expected to be awful. If he's in it, I figure I'll at least have one interesting thing to look at!

Three Godfathers is a good movie, it's not on DVD yet, but I have it on VHS, and agree that the chemistry great between the three, and Ward Bond. This is one I can't wait to see on DVD. This like The Searchers went very deep, and had you think about mankind, and Duke played the part well. Wish he did more movies like that, but glad he did those.

Cheers, Hondo B)

About Ward Bond... I've always loved every single role I've ever seen him in and think he's probably the best character actor ever. But I recently bought a copy of The Complete Guide to The Quiet Man and in it the author (an Irishman through and through) talks at length about how miscast WB is in the role of Father Lonergan. Apparently his accent is really bad and his mannerisms and behavior are not at all in keeping with a parish priest. I wouldn't know, since I'm not Irish and I'm not Catholic, but it was disappointing to read. :huh:

Oh well... I think I'm going to continue to enjoy Father Lonergan anyway. ;)

Has anyone else looked at this book? It's very interesting but soooooooo detailed - sometimes it's almost too much even for a goof like me.

hi jen,

hope i can say that, it doesn't matter how long you have been with us all input is great and we don't jump down necks for your opinion just clad you have one and welcome

cheers smokey

Jen,

It might be ture that Bond wasn't Irish, and he might have been mismatched in the part, but it was a movie, and sometimes you have to make exception. I thought Ward Bond did a fine job acting in this movie, but like you I am not familar with Irish dialect, so our expert Irishman, robbie, might can give input on this part of the topic. He hasn't mentioned anything about Bond's performance, yet.

Cheers, Hondo B)

Thanks, smokey. Nice to know ya!

Opinions? I've got plenty of those! <_<

One I did not expect much out of that I really enjoyed was Wheel of Fortune. I liked the plot (out of town lawyer trying to solve a friends death) and romantic tie-in.

Others are:
Legend of the Lost
Pittsburgh
Tycoon
Big Jim McLain
Trouble Along the Way

Araner,

He was also good in the under rated Lady Takes a Chance with Jean Arthur. The others you mention are good. I really like Trouble Along the Way with Donna Reed. And did you really like Pittsburg?

You have good taste.

Cheers, Hondo B)

Hondo, I do like Pittsburgh a lot. It was one of the 1st JW movies I had ever seen. I too like A Lady Takes A Chance. I liked the pairing of Arthur and Wayne.

Just yesterday I saw A Lady Takes a Chance with Jean Arthur. I've always liked her and I thought they were really good together. The chemistry is not as powerful as it is with Maureen, of course, but it's kind of sweet and funny and just really fun to watch. I love Duke doing light comedy - he was good at it! He had me laughing out loud I don't know how many times in this one.

And you gotta love it when Duke's name is Duke! I was actually a little bit shocked at some of the stuff in this movie, though - like Duke landing on top of Jean and the way she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back to her like that - pretty sexy stuff! Go, girlfriend! And then Duke trying to put the moves on her - ha! Wine sent up to his hotel room - what a player!

Araner some interesting nominations one web site stated "Everyone least favourite Duke movies is the conqueor but mine is wheel of fortune" although this same site was very inaccurate as Hondo has previously stated. I have not seen this movie and without giving away too much why did you feel it has been unfairly reviewed in the past.

I would however disagree with you regarding 'Legend of the Lost" a dire movie I felt but then again everyone has different tastes.

'A Lady Takes a Chance' has got an awful lot of positive reviews from a wide varitety of different sources which is great as I have not seen the movie but I am now looking foward to seeing it.

:agent:

Araner,

I saw Pittsburg many years before VHS. I have the VHS version. I just loved the chemistry with Duke, Marlene Dietrich, and Randolph Scott. They were great together, and they did three other movies together (The Spoilers & Seven Sinners) which were good too. If you haven't seen them, please do. I have those videos (VHS). :huh:

This is a movie that I hope everyone on the board will see, they will not be disappointed, as you know Araner. I can't wait until all three of those movies come out on DVD. :blink:

Cheers, Hondo B)

Mike

Thanks for that nice compliment. :D

Now I will give my own opinion and opinion being the key word.

Ward Bond does a fantastic job playing the priest his character seems genuine in his belief of God he cares for his congregation and he is very likeable with some of his other antics.
Actually his performance is flawless two key scenes which highlight the perfection in his performance is when he very genuinely states that he will pray for a member of Seans family who has passed away at mass and he even encourages Sean to go to mass. The second is the highly funny fishing scene.
I think some people wrongly feel that the part of the priest should have been more accurate as Bonds character is far too likeable people feel that this is wrong as countless sex abuse charges have been brought against many priests. I feel these people should also remember there are a lot of genuine priests out there and that it would be shameful to discredit someone who spreads the word of God as this may put people of God especially in a highly popular film. This film is also an innocent comedy and none of them dark issues are needed in it. So in conclusion Bonds character and performance is perfect.

Victor McLaglen is brilliant.

His performance is so good and so authentic I wonder why people are discredittigng him I cannot fault him or his performance at all. People feel Bond would have been more adept in the fight scene than McLaglen but lets face it anybody who takes on Duke is going to look pretty washed out in a fight with him.

In conclusion perfect casting and performaces and they certainly were authentic and did Ireland no discredit at all only great pride and they left very fond memories.

:agent:

Robbie,

I agree with you regarding Ward Bond's portrayal of the priest in The Quiet Man. Another thing to remember is that the story takes place (I think) in about the 1930's or '40's. As you say, This film is also an innocent comedy and none of them dark issues are needed in it. The current problems with priests I think weren't an issue back then, and like you say, today's issues shouldn't tarnish his portrayal then.

Regarding Victor McLaglen, I think he was perfect in his role. He was a big, burly guy, but 23 years older than the Duke, so not too many fighters that age are going to beat someone that much younger than them, especially when the younger guy was also (in character) a professional fighter.

Personally, if I find an author with a negative perspective about John Wayne or one (or more) of his movies, I steer clear of him and toss his opinions in the trash.

I realize John Wayne wasn't perfect (neither were his co-stars :rolleyes: ), but I don't need to read any "bad stuff" either. I just like the good stuff. :)

Chester

Interesting to hear more opinions on TQM. Regarding McLaglen, just last night I read a section in the book The Complete Guide to The Quiet Man which mentions that there was a stunt double used for McLaglen in a lot of the fighting scenes. He was a big ol' bull of a man but definitely older than Duke. According to the author, Duke did most if not all of his own fighting. I found this interesting, because if you watch closely in The Sands of Iwo Jima you can see that very briefly there is a stunt double used for Duke during the fight scene with the guy who neglects his comrades for a good cup o' joe (sorry, can't think of the character's name offhand).

A sidenote for those interested in tracking the toupee... you can see that Duke's not wearing one in TQM when Red Will sucker-punches him at the very beginning of the fight (when Duke goes down and his hat falls off). The hairline is making a hasty retreat at this point! :D

Originally posted by A Girl Named Jen@Aug 31 2003, 06:17 PM
Just yesterday I saw A Lady Takes a Chance with Jean Arthur.* I've always liked her and I thought they were really good together.* The chemistry is not as powerful as it is with Maureen, of course, but it's kind of sweet and funny and just really fun to watch.* I love Duke doing light comedy - he was good at it!* He had me laughing out loud I don't know how many times in this one.*

And you gotta love it when Duke's name is Duke!* I was actually a little bit shocked at some of the stuff in this movie, though - like Duke landing on top of Jean and the way she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back to her like that - pretty sexy stuff!* Go, girlfriend!* And then Duke trying to put the moves on her - ha!* Wine sent up to his hotel room - what a player!
yeah, I just love that one. it's the movie that made me discover the Duke :cowboy:

Originally posted by A Girl Named Jen@Aug 26 2003, 08:22 AM
About Ward Bond...* I've always loved every single role I've ever seen him in and think he's probably the best character actor ever.* But I recently bought a copy of The Complete Guide to The Quiet Man and in it the author (an Irishman through and through) talks at length about how miscast WB is in the role of Father Lonergan.* Apparently his accent is really bad and his mannerisms and behavior are not at all in keeping with a parish priest.* I wouldn't know, since I'm not Irish and I'm not Catholic, but it was disappointing to read.* * :huh:


4099


Another resurrection item -

I recently watched my new"The Quiet Man" DVD a couple of weeks ago. It was a reacquaintance of a movie that seems ageless. I simply loved Ward Bond's portrayal of the Catholic priest. I've met a number of priests over the years (only a few Irish, however) - they have all seemed down to earth and not aloof as some might think. Bond's characterization was one that indicated his priest was not one to lurk in hallowed halls, but one that truely loved life and lived it to the fullest while tending his flock.

Cheers - Jay ^_^

Hi Jen

The name of the man your looking for in Sands of Iwo Jima who Wayne fights is Forrest Tucker and of course they met many years later and fought again in Chisum, and if you go for a hat trick he was the second baddie in Cancel My Reservation with Bob Hope, If you count that as a John Wayne picture, and as Wayne featured briefly for about three seconds I suppose it does.

With regard to Victor Maclaglen and hair Harry Carey in his book Company of Heroes tells the story of how when location work for She Wore A Yellow Ribbon Was completed the first thing Maclaglen did was head for a bath and a haircut. A couple of days later Ford called him back for some studio shots. Apparently Ford made no comment about the newly shorn actor but I bet continuity had a nightmare.

To read further about Forrest Tucker John Mitchum,s book Them Ornery Mitchum Boys relates the story of a golf match and a highly unusual way that Tucker short putted the last hole.


Regards

Arthur

Hi

The classic story with Wayne and Ward Bond was of course the time that Ward Bond put a sheet of newspaper in a hotel doorway and bet Wayne that he couldn't knock him off of it. After Wayne took the bet Bond closed the door leaving Wayne on the outside of the hotel room. Wayne won the bet by putting his fist through the door and knocking Bond off of the paper.

On anopther occasion apparently when Ford Bond and Wayne went fishing Bond forgot the bottle opener and all night he was forced to open the bottles with his teeth.


Regards

Arthur