She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1949)

[ejgreen77]

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.

[Colorado Bob]

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.

[Paula]

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.

[Paula]

My friend mentioned above (her name is Mary-Kate) was able to find out more information about the article on Google, and it turns out to have been published in the June 1949 issue of The Reader's Digest. Fortunately a copy was available on eBay and I immediately purchased it. And now here is a scan of the entire article. Warning -- bring a hanky. This is a very touching story, and I'm so glad Mary-Kate was able to find it and let us know something new about She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. I'll never watch this scene the same way again.

[Paula]

It's John Wayne's birthday -- which of course you all know. To celebrate at my Ben Johnson page, I've posted the German program for She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, which features a wonderful portrait of John Wayne on the front page, and a number of photos from the movie on the two inside pages and the back.

[Baby Sister]

Too cool..thanks Paula

[The Irish Duke]

Thanks for the post Paula, I enjoyed this movie but I don't really like Duke playing older than he is. Though Red River was amazing

[Dukesfan]

Many thanks, Paula! - She Wore A Yellow Ribbon is my favourite John Wayne movie! In this movie we can see, what a great character actor the Duke has been.

[Paula]

I'm posting some publicity pictures from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon this week at my Ben Johnson website. Here's the first one, a candid location shot with Ben (out of focus), John Wayne and John Ford, and other cast and crew members.

[ethanedwards]

Great photo

[lasbugas]

[Gorch]

Paula and Larry, I have to ask where you find all these magnificent finds! Are they recent or have you been searching and collecting for years? I'm guessing probably both, but as a fellow collector, I'm always looking for new sources.

The German title for SWAYR seems to be the "The Devil's Captain", but my high school German is pretty kaput. I'm sure Ringo Carl can provide the accurate translation.

At any rate, please keep them coming.



We deal in lead, friend.

[Hawkswill]

Somehow came upon this in Yellow Ribbon. I thought it deserved another post for those like me who had never seen it. Can't wait to see SWYR again to see Rudy have his dream come true! Thanks Paula and friend.
Keith

[lasbugas]

[Paula]

Thanks for reposting that story, Keith! It's a great one. I will have another photo from that scene shortly. And more great pics from Lasbugas! Someday I hope to add the one from the funeral to my collection, I don't have it yet.

Here's today's post at my webpage, it's a reproduction still from Turner Entertainment.