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While John Ford (1894-1973) remains one of the most influential and revered directors in film history, he is also one of the most frequently misunderstood. One widespread assumption is that he was almost exclusively a man's director, dismissive of, or at best not well attuned to, the stories, perspectives and concerns of women.
This book forthrightly challenges such an assumption, giving readers a richer understanding of the director's view of the world and of the women as well as the men who inhabit it. Taking a fresh look at dozens of Ford films, both familiar favorites and under-appreciated gems, it focuses on the complex and diverse female characters in them as well as the actresses who so ably portrayed them.
List of contents
Table of ContentsPreface
Introduction: Spotlighting Women in John Ford's Films
1.¿The Dark Side of Mother Love: Henrietta Crosman's Hannah Jessop in Pilgrimage
2.¿Fearless Free Spirit: Jean Arthur's Wilhelmina Clark in The Whole Town's Talking
3.¿"Swamp Gal": Anne Shirley's Fleety Belle in Steamboat Round the Bend
4.¿The Innocent Turned Imperialist: Shirley Temple's Priscilla in Wee Willie Winkie and Philadelphia in Fort Apache
5.¿All About Attitude: Claire Trevor's Dallas in Stagecoach and Joanne Dru's Denver in Wagon Master
6.¿Colonial Spunk: Claudette Colbert's Lana and Edna May Oliver's Mrs. McKlennar in Drums Along the Mohawk
7.¿Family First: Jane Darwell's Ma Joad in The Grapes of Wrath and Sara Allgood's Beth Morgan in How Green Was My Valley
8.¿More Than the Sum of Her Parts: Mildred Natwick's Four Small Gems for John Ford
9.¿"On the very edge of eternity": Donna Reed's Sandy Davyss in They Were Expendable
10.¿Ford's Wild Irish Rose: Maureen O'Hara's Kathleen in Rio Grande and Mary Kate in The Quiet Man
11.¿Female Supremacy: Ava Gardner's Honey Bear and Grace Kelly's Linda in Mogambo
12.¿"Way out on a limb": The Women Who Trigger Ethan's Quest in The Searchers and the Women Who Must Face Its Consequences
13.¿Reconnection and Regret: Vera Miles' Hallie in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
14.¿No Other Way Out: Anne Bancroft's Dr. Cartwright in 7 Women
15.¿Snapshots: Other Fine Female Roles and Performances in Ford Films
16.¿Dare We Call Ford a Feminist? The Director's Achievement in Context
Conclusion: Electric Moments
Recommended Resources for Further Reference
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
The author of multiple books on film history, David Meuel has also published two books of poems, more than two dozen short stories, and hundreds of articles on subjects ranging from U.S. national parks to high technology. He lives in Gig Harbor, Washington.
