"chesty" - A Forgotten John Ford Film

[itdo]

Having successfully discovered the documentary of "Tigero" (thanks!) how about this hard to find John Wayne-John Ford collaboration? Wasn't able yet to hunt it down on video, any help's appreciated:

"Chesty"
In his book "John Ford" Peter Bogdanovich even lists this one under "unrealized projects".
It's a documentary about Lt. Gen Lewis "Chesty" Puller, USMC, shot at his home, includes visits with him to the Stonewall Jackson Monument and Lee's tomb, as well as footage from Ford's own "This Is Korea!" (in which JW participated as well, he knew "Chesty" the man).
John Wayne's commentary was shot on the set of Rio Lobo. Shooting began August 68. The original 60 minute version was edited for possible television sale, Ford is said to have preferred the shorter cut.

There you go! The last teaming up of the masters - and they had trouble selling it! For some time no distributor showed any interest. I don't know if it was shown before the director's death, but it was eventually shown in public. Was it ever put to video tape?

[itdo]

still looking for that documentary, "Chesty".

[chester7777]

Based on some Internet research this morning, it would seem that this documentary, which didn't air on TV until 1976 (three years after John Ford's death) is still not available on DVD or VHS, except possibly if someone taped it off of TV when it originally aired.

Chester

[ethanedwards]

Since this thread was posted we now have a dedicated John Ford thread.
Thanks that Jim 'bumped' it back, so now it's not forgotten.
I have copied the three posts, on to


Pals of The Saddle- John Ford