John Ford: Difference between revisions

[[John Ford]] is an American director whose lengthy career was one of the most honored in Hollywood history. Four Oscars for Best Director. Filmed some of the most iconic [[The Western|Wild West]] and [[World War II|war movies]] of the age.

* [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]]:* Ford worked with documentary crews in the Pacific theater during [[World War II]]. He won an Oscar for the documentary ''[[The Battle Of Midway]]'' parts of which ''he actually filmed during the battle'' (he was on the island waiting for transit elsewhere when the attack came). Combat scenes he filmed would be edited into the big epic ''[[Midway]]''.

** Perhaps Ford's greatest moment came during the [[Red Scare]]. During a meeting at the Directors Guild of America, [[Cecil B. DeMille]] was attacking other directors whom he considered to be Communist sympathizers. Ford held his tongue til DeMille started calling [[William Wyler]] "Villiam Vyler" and attacked [[Joseph Mankiewicz]]. He stood up, and declared, "My name is John Ford. I make Westerns. I don't think there is anyone who knows more about what the American public wants than Cecil B. DeMille - and he certainly knows how to give it to them. In that respect I admire him. But I don't like you, C.B. I don't like what you stand for and I don't like what you've been saying here tonight. Joe has been villified and I think he needs an apology." When DeMille remained silent for thirty seconds, Ford added, "Then I believe there is only one alternative, and I hereby so move: that Mr. DeMille and the entire board of directors resign, and that we give Joe a vote of confidence - and then let's all go home and get some sleep. We've got some pictures to make in the morning." And that's ''exactly'' what happened: DeMille and the board of directors resigned, Mankiewicz received a vote of confidence, and everyone got some sleep so they could make pictures in the morning.