I'm watching Dakota right now. Bond was a great bad guy. He was really good in Tall in the Saddle too. I think he is/was a very underrated actor.

Even though he never got an Oscar, I don't think he was underrated, even at his times. If you look at those films between the 30s and 50s, sometimes I think there wasn't an important picture where Ward didn't show up - even in the non-Wayne-films, for different directors and producers, like for Selznick, Capra, John Huston, Hawks. Check out Johnny Guitar, for instance. Then, at the peek of his career, he got his "own" TV series, the starring role in "Wagon Train". So they kept him pretty busy. Copies of his Last Will were for sale once, and even though I know that's morbid, I got me one - and interesting enough, there was the paragraph in which he bequethed (sorry, as Martin Pawley, I don't know how to spell that) his favorite gun to Wayne - the one with which that famous shooting accident happened and Wayne actually wounded Bond.

Hi Araner.
Ward Bond was reputed to have never turned down a picture and was one of Hollywood's hardest working actores, appearing in 260 pictures.
Although he only appeared in 21 films with John Wayne he worked far more for John ford and was in every one of that director's most memorable films.

That fact is even more strange when you read of the exploits Bond used to get up to and even though they were drinking buddies I should imagine that Ford's patience and liking for the actors was often stretched to the limit.

Some instances that immediately spring to mind are the time while making Fort Apache when Ford was giving John Agar, then in his first picture a hard time, Bond flew into the location and for 'beat up' the set and ruined a take in the process. Wayne took Agar to one side and said it'll be alright Ford has a new whipping boy now.

On another occasion during the Searchers when Ford was filming the dramatic scene with Harry Carey, Geoffrey Hunter and John Wayne which ended with Waynes "D'ya want me to draw ya a picture".
In the middle of the scene Ward Bond wanted a shave and taking a plug out of a socket plugged his electric razor in it.

at the end of the take the cameraman realised that Bond had unplugged the camera and most of the scene had been lost. They never told Ford.

An finally for me the funniest story:
When Bond bet Wayne that he could not knock him off a sheet of newspaper. On accepting the wager Bond put the paper in the door way of a hotel room and closed the door on Wayne. Duke responded by putting his fist through the door and won the bet.

On the debit side if possible Bond's anti communist stance in the late forties and early fifties were even more radical than Waynes and as this damaged the duke later on, so it probably did for Bond.

I also think Bond was a good actor, I know him and big John were good friends but I'm interested in what things each of them said about each other.

:agent:

Is there a biography on Ward Bond? I know he wasn't a major actor, but "What A Wonderful Life", he had (by the way, did you know he was with 'Jimmy Stewart' in that movie.

Cheers, Hondo B)

Some other fairly well known movies he was in would be -

The Maltese Falcon (1941) - Det. Tom Polhaus

The Santa Fe Trail (1940) - Townley (abolitionist)

Gone with the Wind (1939) - Tom (Yankee captain)

Bringing Up Baby (1938) - (uncredited) Motorcycle Cop at jail

Topper (1937) - (uncredited) Taxi Cab Driver

Now we'll have to watch some of those to look for Ward Bond :rolleyes: .

Chester :newyear: and the Mrs. :angel1:

Hi Hondo

As far as I am aware I have never seen a bio or auto-bio on Ward Bond. But that doesn't mean there isn't one, and if anyone knows different could they please let me know as I'd love to read it.


Best Regards

Arthur

Here is a list of his films and a link to his bio.Ward Bond Bio Info (http://www.starpulse.com/Actors/Bond,_Ward/Filmography/)


Ward Bond
Alias Jesse James (1959) ... Maj. Seth Adams

Rio Bravo (1959) ... Pat Wheeler

China Doll (1958) ... Father Cairns

Wings of Eagles, The (1957) ... John Dodge

Halliday Brand, The (1957) ... Big Dan

Pillars of the Sky (1956) ... Dr. Joseph Holden

Dakota Incident (1956) ... Sen. Blakely

Searchers, The (1956) ... Capt. Rev. Samuel Clayton

Long Gray Line, The (1955) ... Capt. Herman J. Koehler

Man Alone, A (1955) ... Gil Corrigan

Mister Roberts (1955) ... C.P.O. Dowdy

Johnny Guitar (1954) ... John McIvers

Bob Mathias Story, The (1954) ... Coach Jackson

Gypsy Colt (1954) ... Frank MacWade

Hondo (1953) ... Buffalo

Moonlighter, The (1953) ... Cole

Blowing Wild (1953) ... Dutch

Quiet Man, The (1952) ... Fr. Peter Lonergan

Thunderbirds (1952) ... Sgt. Logan

Hellgate (1952) ... Lt. Tod Vorhees

On Dangerous Ground (1951) ... Walter Brent

Only the Valiant (1951) ... Cpl. Timothy Gilchrist

Operation Pacific (1951) ... "Pop" Perry

Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950) ... Inspector Weber

Riding High (1950) ... Lee

Singing Guns (1950) ... Cardac

Wagonmaster (1950) ... Elder Wiggs

Great Missouri Raid, The (1950) ... Major Trowbridge

Joan of Arc (1948) ... La Hire

Tap Roots (1948) ... Hoab Dabney

Three Godfathers, The (1948) ... Perley "Buck" Sweet

Time of Your Life, The (1948) ... McCarthy

Fort Apache (1948) ... Sgt. Maj. Michael O'Rourke

Unconquered (1947) ... John Fraser

Fugitive, The (1947) ... El Gringo

It's a Wonderful Life (1946) ... Bert

My Darling Clementine (1946) ... Morgan Earp

Canyon Passage (1946) ... Honey Bragg

Dakota (1945) ... Jim Bender

They Were Expendable (1945) ... "Boots" Mulcahey

Home in Indiana (1944) ... Jed Bruce

Tall in the Saddle (1944) ... "Judge" Garvey

Guy Named Joe, A (1944) ... Al Yackey

Sullivans, The (1944) ... Lieutenant

Slightly Dangerous (1943) ... Jimmy

They Came to Blow Up America (1943) ... Craig

Hello, Frisco, Hello (1943) ... Sharkey

Hitler--Dead or Alive (1942) ... Steve Maschik

In This Our Life (1942) ...

Falcon Takes Over, The (1942) ... Moose Malloy

Sin Town (1942) ... Rock Delaney

Ten Gentlemen From West Point (1942) ... Scully

Wild Bill Hickok Rides (1942) ... Sheriff Edmunds

Gentleman Jim (1942) ... John L. Sullivan

Maltese Falcon, The (1941) ... Detective Tom Polhaus

Man Betrayed, A (1941) ... Floyd

Manpower (1941) ... Eddie Adams

Doctors Don't Tell (1941) ...

Sergeant York (1941) ... Ike Botkin

Swamp Water (1941) ... Tim Dorson

Tobacco Road (1941) ... Lov Bensey

Shepherd of the Hills, The (1941) ... Wash Gibbs

Kit Carson (1940) ... Ape Eaton

Little Old New York (1940) ... Regan

Long Voyage Home, The (1940) ... Yank

Mortal Storm, The (1940) ... Franz

Sailor's Lady (1940) ... Shore Patrolman

Santa Fe Trail (1940) ... Townley

Buck Benny Rides Again (1940) ... Outlaw

Virginia City (1940) ... Sgt. Sam McDaniel

Grapes of Wrath, The (1940) ... Policeman

Kid From Kokomo, The (1939) ... Klewicke

Made for Each Other (1939) ... Jim Hatton

Mr. Moto in Danger Island (1939) ... Sailor Sam, the Wrestler

Oklahoma Kid, The (1939) ... Wes Handley

Pardon Our Nerve (1939) ... Kid Ramsey

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) ... John Palmer Cass

Cisco Kid And the Lady, The (1939) ... Walton

Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939) ... American Legionnaire

Dodge City (1939) ... Bud Taylor, Surrett's Henchman

Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) ... Adam Hartman

Dust Be My Destiny (1939) ... Drifter

Return of the Cisco Kid, The (1939) ... Tough

Son of Frankenstein (1939) ...

They Made Me a Criminal (1939) ... Lenihan

Trouble in Sundown (1939) ... Dusty

Waterfront (1939) ... Mart Hendler

Frontier Marshal (1939) ... Town Marshal

Girl From Mexico, The (1939) ... Mexican Pete

Gone With the Wind (1939) ... Yankee Captain Tom

Heaven With a Barbed Wire Fence (1939) ... Hunk

Law West of Tombstone, The (1938) ... Mulligan

Mr. Moto's Gamble (1938) ... Biff Moran

Of Human Hearts (1938) ... Lout

Over the Wall (1938) ... Eddie Edwards

Penitentiary (1938) ... Prison Barber

Adventures of Marco Polo, The (1938) ... Mongol Guard

Prison Break (1938) ... Red Kincaid

You Can't Take It With You (1938) ... Detective

Amazing Doctor Clitterhouse, The (1938) ... Tug

Professor Beware (1938) ... Motorcycle Officer

Reformatory (1938) ... Mac Grady

Born to Be Wild (1938) ... Bill Purvis

Submarine Patrol (1938) ... Olaf Swanson

Bringing Up Baby (1938) ... Motorcycle Cop

Going Places (1938) ... Cop

Gun Law (1938) ... Pecos

Hawaii Calls (1938) ... Muller

Mountain Music (1937) ... G-Man

Night Key (1937) ... Finger Man

Park Avenue Logger (1937) ... Paul Sanger

You Only Live Once (1937) ... Guard

Conflict (1937) ... Carrigan

Dead End (1937) ... Doorman

Devil's Playground (1937) ... Sidecar Wilson

Escape by Night (1937) ... Spudsy

Fight for Your Lady (1937) ... Russell, Wrestler

Fight to the Finish, A (1937) ... Eddie Hawkins

Singing Marine, The (1937) ... First Sergeant

23 1/2 Hours' Leave (1937) ... Top Kick

Wildcatter, The (1937) ... Johnson

Go-Getter, The (1937) ... Logger

Music for Madame (1937) ... Violet, the Henchman

Avenging Waters (1936) ...

Leathernecks Have Landed, The (1936) ... Tex

Legion of Terror (1936) ... Don Foster

Big Game, The (1936) ... Football Game Bettor

Pride of the Marines (1936) ... Gunner Brady

Case Against Mrs. Ames, The (1936) ... Newspaper Buyer

Cattle Thief, The (1936) ... Ranse

Colleen (1936) ... Cop

Crash Donovan (1936) ... The Drill Master

Fatal Lady (1936) ... American Stage Manager

Second Wife (1936) ...

Bride Walks Out, The (1936) ... Taxi Driver

They Met in a Taxi (1936) ... Policeman

We're Only Human (1936) ... Henchman

Without Orders (1936) ... Tim Casey

Fury (1936) ... Objector

Gorgeous Hussy, The (1936) ... Officer

Man Who Lived Twice, The (1936) ... Gloves Baker

Muss 'em Up (1936) ... Gangster

His Night Out (1935) ...

Justice of the Range (1935) ... Bob Brennan

Last Days of Pompeii, The (1935) ...

Little Big Shot (1935) ...

Black Fury (1935) ... Mac

Crimson Trail, The (1935) ... Luke Long

Devil Dogs of the Air (1935) ... Instructor

Fighting Shadows (1935) ...

Too Tough to Kill (1935) ... Danny

Waterfront Lady (1935) ...

Western Courage (1935) ... LaCrosse

G-Men (1935) ... Machine Gunner

Go Into Your Dance (1935) ... Herman Leahy

Guard That Girl (1935) ... Budge

Headline Woman, The (1935) ... Johnson

She Gets Her Man (1935) ... Chick

Murder in the Fleet (1935) ... "Heavy" Johnson

Here Comes the Groom (1934) ...

Human Side, The (1934) ... Cop

It Happened One Night (1934) ... Bus Driver

Man's Game, A (1934) ... Dave

Men of the Night (1934) ... Connors

Most Precious Thing in Life (1934) ...

Poor Rich, The (1934) ...

Chained (1934) ... Sailor

Crime of Helen Stanley, The (1934) ...

Fighting Code, The (1934) ...

Fighting Ranger, The (1934) ... Dave

Straightaway (1934) ...

Voice in the Night (1934) ... Bob

Whirlpool (1934) ... Farley

Against the Law (1934) ...

Frontier Marshal (1934) ... Ben Murchison

Girl in Danger (1934) ...

Heroes for Sale (1933) ... Red

Lucky Devils (1933) ...

Obey the Law (1933) ... Kid Paris

Police Car 17 (1933) ... Bumps O'Neill

College Coach (1933) ...

Sundown Rider, The (1933) ... Gabe Powers

Unknown Valley (1933) ... Snead

Wild Boys of the Road (1933) ... Red

Wrecker, The (1933) ... Cramer

When Strangers Marry (1933) ... Billy McGuire

High Speed (1932) ...

Lost Squadron, The (1932) ... Soldier

Flesh (1932) ...

Rackety Rax (1932) ... Brick Gilligan

Trial of Vivienne Ware, The (1932) ... John's Assistant

Virtue (1932) ... Frank

White Eagle (1932) ...

Hello Trouble (1932) ...

Quick Millions (1931) ... Cop in Montage

Big Trail, The (1930) ... Sid Bascom

Born Reckless (1930) ... Soldier

Salute (1929) ... Football Player

Words And Music (1929) ... Ward

Here is some good info on Bond.

Ward Bond Tidbits (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000955/bio)

Araner,

Thanks for the list. :P I took advantage of your list and bolded the movies that Duke was in. :rolleyes: He made 19 movies with Duke. They were very close friends, and it really upset Duke to find out that Ward died.

He had a heart attack, and it wasn't expected. Duke was on location shooting a film when it his friend died.

Cheers, Hondo B)

Nothing much to add, just that I always love to see Ward Bond in a film. Like a lot of girls, one of the first classic movies I ever watched was Gone With the Wind and I'll always remember my dad commenting on how much he liked Ward Bond (as the Yankee captain). I think that in many ways being a character actor might be harder than being a leading man because you have less to work with in order to make an impact - you have to be economical and powerful all at once.

One of my favorite WB roles is the "Bus Driver" in It Happened One Night. He and Clark Gable get into a verbal spat. Gable beats him handily, but Bond is awfully funny as the tongue tied dolt who seems to be utterly incapable of witty repartee.

Jen, that is a good one. WB has played in so many classics it's unbelieveable.

Ward Bond at least to me, was and is, still one of the most underated actors. His finally making it to the promised land ( his own starring role in WAGON TRAIN), with all it's added responsibility's, would be the device which would bring his untimely end!!!!
On WAGON TRAIN he was not only the star- but he was also very active in production which put a great strain on him, and more likely than anything else brought on his heart attack in Dallas!!!!
I never saw a performance by Ward, that was not believable, he always looked so natural in whatever role he was playing.
To see a very good portayal of villiany, you only need to see " THE FALCON TAKES OVER". Bond delivers a frightening portayal of villiany as the murderous "MOOSE MALLOY", a characterization not portrayed very often by Ward, watch it and see if you don't agree!!!
Finally I just wanted to add that when my wife(oops that would be EX-wife) and I had our restaurant in Colorado, we had names for all of the sandwiches on our menu- one of our sandwiches was called " THE WAGONMASTER", I named it in honor of WARD, just a small homage to someone I greatly admired!!!!!

Hi

Some of the titbits on Ward Bond are amazing.

As everyone knows one of the last things he did was make the 'Colter Craven' Episode for Wagon Train.

As a gag he had John Ford direct the episode and had John Wayne play a cameo role as General Sherman, reprising his role in 'How The West Was Won'

John Wayne appeared in dark light you never saw his face but his frame was obvious. He was billed as Michael Morris. He is reported to have said "I was in and out of the scene so quickly that people would be left wondering if it was me or not."

Despite the fact that it was an hour long story Ford deliberately shot more than he needed and it was suggested that the story be made into a two part episode, but rather than increase the story it was subsequently edited down to one hour.

By the time the episode had come round to be screened Bond was dead and a get together between Ford, Wayne and Bond to view the film over a few drinks was abandoned. Ford apparently was distraught, coming as it did close on Grant Withers suicide both Ford and Wayne began to realise that they were beginning to lose close and old friends..

Arthur,

Help me a little bit on the time line.

Ward Bond died on a massive heart attack in 1960. How the West was Won was shot in the early 60's. How could Bond have Ford direct Duke and reprise his role as Sherman for the Civil War scene?

Cheers, Hondo B)

Hi Hondo,

I hold my hands up to that one. My choice of words instead of reprising perhaps should have been a fortaste or something, for once my English beats me.

But Ford always wanted to do a massive Civil War Movie, The Horse Soldiers was his second stab after the Wagon Train episode and ended unsatisfactory and HTWWW gave him his final chance.

Does that let me off the hook?


Regards
Arthur

Arthur, What do you mean by The Horse Soldiers ended unsatifactory? Not commercially successful or not a good movie? I personally liked the movie and it was one of the first DVD's I bought.

Hi SXViper

We have an expression that if tour digging yourself into a hole its best to stop digging. But at the expense of digging myself deeper. here goes.

What I meant by The Horse Soldiers unsatisfactory ending was The unfortunate death of the stunt man Fred Kennedy after which Ford Lost all interest in the picture and instead of the upbeat triumphal arrival of Marlowe's brigade in New Orleans, Ford cut the picture at the bridge.

On a personnal note I enjoyed the picture but was unfortunate to have read Sinclairs book beforehand. I think that if Ford had stuck exactly to the novel It would have been a very difficult film to make mainly because very early on on the book Marlowe splits his command and every other chapter follows each halves exploits.

There was no love interest in that Hannah features briefly in the book and is insane. And the doctor plays a very insignificant role If I remember correctly when instead of disobeying orders and delivering the baby he obeys Marlowes command, and assumingly leaves the women to fend for herself.

Also in the book there is a fantastic train crash where they drive the train over a high bridge.

I think now is the time for me to stop digging.

Regards
Arthur

Arthur,

Don't worry about that, I've dug myself in a hole on this board, and many other places. And no one has buried me yet. :lol: I just wanted clarifiaction on some of what you said. I didn't think HTWWW would have been in production for 4 or 5 years with that many actors involved. And the word, "repirsed" confused me. But ask some on the board, I get confused all the time, and very easily too. :rolleyes:

Cheers, Hondo B)

Arthur, you were not digging yourself in a hole. In fact, you explained yourself very well and now I understand what you meant. I didn't know that a stunt man had died filming The Horse Soldiers, and I would say that the ending does leave alittle to be desired. Keep the info coming, you obviously have alot to give so keep it coming. Thanks again.

What I like about Ward Bond is the fact that he was a no nonscense kind of guy, who can fit into a part like a fine glove. I was convienced that he was truely Irish in The Quiet Man. He was just awesome as Burt the policeman in It's a Wonderful Life.

He played such wonderful parts with so many great actors. It's amazing looking at his filmoraphy that he could do so much and not be well known outside of Hollywood. I know he was known, but he wasn't a John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, Humphrey Bogart, or Clark Gable. He played with many of them, and worked with such great directors.

It was fitting that he starred in a great television show The Wagon Train. It's just a shame that he died like he did at the height of his career.

Cheers, Hondo B)

Wow! That just shows you how much I pay attention! My wife has made me watch "It's A Wonderful Life" a couple of million times, and while I thought that the voice was familiar, I never placed it with my favorite JW movie "Rio Bravo" and the Wheeler character... sheesh! :blink:

JohnTChance,

WELCOME to the John Wayne Message Board, the place to learn anything you could possibly want to know about one of the best actors to ever grace the silver screen!

And as you have seen, there is much to be gleaned about his co-stars as well. Check out the other threads (you'll be reading for DAYS :blink: !). In addition to those with whom the Duke starred, there's a lot of interesting information about some of the men who directed him, too.

Chester :newyear:

PS. My wife has made me watch It's a Wonderful Life a couple million times also, :blink: although since we also discovered Ward Bond in it, it's getting better all the time. ;)

Ward Bond was my mothers first cousin. He was a great guy

Hi Shirley

Did he ever write an autobiography or was there abiography written about him I love to read it if there was one.

Regards

Arthur

shirley,

WELCOME to the John Wayne Message Board! In addition to JW, we also talk about his many co-stars, as you can see, and Ward Bond is a favorite.

So . . . do you have any good stories to share? Were you closely acquainted with this cousin?

We look forward to "seeing" you again around here. :D

Chester :newyear: and the Mrs. :angel1:

Are there any other Ward Bond fans out there. He and Duke were best friends since USC days. He played cops, soliders and other authority figures Brilliantly .

Hi ZACK613,
In answer to your question, I guess most fans of Duke,
are also fans of not only Ward Bond, but lots of other people he worked with, Fonda, Stewart, McLaglen, Worden etc.
So yes, you can count me as a Ward Bond Fan,
as I became a fan of his, not because of Duke,
but for his excellent WAGON TRAIN tv series,

Best Wishes
ee

We certainly enjoy Ward Bond in his many roles, both in John Wayne films and others as well.

I know I've mentioned it before, but one role that was unusual was Judge Garvey in Tall in the Saddle. Usually Ward Bond is one of the Duke's buddies, but in this one he was actually a bad guy.

Until we got way more familiar with John Wayne movies, we didn't realize he was also in It's A Wonderful Life, as Bert the cop.

Chester :newyear:

I watched "A guy named Joe" last night and I think Ward Bond was in it more then Spencer Tracy. Good movie....

I love Ward Bond. When the AFI came up with its list of 100 Greatest Movies of All Time he appeared in more films than anyone.

My fav Bond performances were in Wagonmaster and Gentleman Jim.

I think he was a very underrated actor.

That's interesting, may2. Maybe you could help me with naming the movies Ward Bond appeared in the AFI top 100. Thanks for that info.

Cheers B)

According to Ward's IMdB trivia:

"Bond appears in the most films (seven) of the American Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest American Movies: It Happened One Night (1934), Bringing Up Baby (1938), Gone with the Wind (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940) , The Maltese Falcon (1941), It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and The Searchers (1956)."

Also from IMdB:

"Although his career was cut short by his premature death in 1960 at the age of 57, he was one of the most prolific of Hollywood's actors over a period of 30 years. He regularly appeared in 10 to 20 films per year, with the record year for him being 1935, when he acted in 30 movies."

"Worked with director John Ford on twenty-six films. Few, if any, actors, have appeared in so many films for a single director."

Hi,
I only now understand that he was in Jentleman Jim too - one of my favorite movies with him. Of course i like him very much in Wayne films, I think his best part in them was in Fort Apache. And I also like My Darling Clementine were he also participates.
All the best,
Senta

My sentiments exactly. Ward Bond was a great actor and was wayyyyyyyyyyyyy underrated just like another favorite of mine who is Richard Basehart.

Hello All
I think one of my favorite Ward Bond roles was as father Peter Lonergan in the Quiet man. Great fishing scene with Maureen OHara. Kilo