Scott Allen Nollen gives us a brilliant look at the three bad men who helped shape western cinema. These gentlemen drank and fought their way across our screens, and we loved them for it.
Growing up all three of these men were an integral part of my childhood. Specifically John “Pappy” Ford in the cinemas and of course John Wayne ‘Duke’ and Ward Bond as well. Mr Bond had the added distinction of being in my folks’ living rooms each week as Major Seth Adams. In Wagon Train.
Of course, I saw all the films and television shows long after they were initially made. The films, I saw on Saturday night at the movies. These events meant a huge bowl of popcorn and a tall ice filled glass of Coca-Cola. The Wagon Train episodes I watched were the newer ones. John McIntire starred after the premature death of Bond. The occasional re-run with Ward Bond did show up though. Come to think of it, the McIntire ones were probably re-runs as well.
I do remember with perfect clarity that my family adored the John Wayne film Rio Bravo. We watched it every single time it came on the telly. The Searchers was another family favourite because it was a John Ford film with both Duke and Bond in it. It also had Ford regular Hank Worden as good ole Mose Harper. Another John Ford favourite was The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
This book, lovingly crafted by Mr Nollen, tells the warts and all story of this triangular “bro-mance.” These three remarkably talented men had a love affair with one another that abided until death. Not in a sexual sense, although rumours persisted that Pappy might just have an inclination “that way.” But in a father and two sons sense. Ford often spent more time with his two adopted sons than he did his own children.
In-depth Look at Three Bad Men
The author take an in-depth look at all three men. Nollen also gives one of the best breakdowns of Wardell Edwin Bond’s career than any other book I’ve read. I never realised that on top of the television shows he made, Bond had over 271 film credits. Besides this all-encompassing career breakdown, we learn more of Ward himself. We learn what made the man tick and why. This explains a lot about why he did some of the more unpopular things that he did.
I have long been a fan of all three men. It was delightful to see such an honest telling of these men’s relationship with one another. The myths that they built and embellished over the years. It is disappointing to lose that childlike reverence for great artists. However, it is more important to have an adult’s respect for what they accomplished on-screen and off; good and bad.
Wayne, for all his America all seasons hero, personally stood for political things that hurt his personal image. These same political stances also hurt others in the same industry. Bond had similar feelings and he too practised a very biased type of politics that, like Wayne’s, could be vengeful. I was surprised to find that John Ford didn’t agree with either of his boys in the area of politics. I’d assumed, incorrectly, that politically all three were peas in the same pod.
A Personal Look
Nollen has given us a personal look at three legends of the silver screen. Both big and small. He talked to some of the people who worked right along side of them. For a fan of these three talented men, this is a gold mine of a book.
I only wish I could have afforded the hardback version instead of having to buy the eBook version.
Not because the eBook is less readable. For a book about such old Hollywood legends, it would be nice to have the old-fashioned kind of book. One to hold and look at.
I cannot end this review without giving thanks to Colin over at Riding the High Country blog. He made me aware of this book through his excellent review of it.
The Verdict
If you are into books about the entertainment business this will be a 5 out of 5 stars. Only the rules of math keep me from giving it a 6 out of 5.
Related articles
- John Wayne’s college roommate and best friend, as well as the star of the 1950’s number one television show “Wagon Train” was born today in 1903. Now WE know em (carl-leonard.com)
- John Wayne’s college roommate and best friend, as well as the star of the 1950’s number one television show “Wagon Train” was born today in 1903. Now WE know em (nowweknowem.com)
- “7 Women”: John Ford’s Furious Farewell (newyorker.com)
- Glenn Frankel: In search of “The Searchers” (powerlineblog.com)
- Weekly Top Five: The best of John Ford (chicagoreader.com)
- John Wayne on liberals (pumabydesign001.com)
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.