Overview

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.

Full Product Details

Author:   David Meuel
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.00cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.286kg
ISBN:  

9780786477890

ISBN 10:   078647789
Pages:   204
Publication Date:   06 March 2014
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock  
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Table of Contents

Table of Contents Preface 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

Reviews

well-written and well-researched --<i>Examiner.com</i>; wonderful...a truly delightful read...heartily recommend --<i>Classically Speaking.blogspot.com</i>; an intriguing and convincing study into John Ford's most memorable female characters...Meuel is extremely convincing in his quest to prove that Ford should not be remembered primarily as a man's director, but rather one that cared as much about his female characters as he did about his male...a fascinating read...outstanding...a wonderful piece of work --<i>moviecritical.net</i>.

well-written and well-researched --Examiner.com; wonderful...a truly delightful read...heartily recommend --Classically Speaking.blogspot.com; an intriguing and convincing study into John Ford's most memorable female characters...Meuel is extremely convincing in his quest to prove that Ford should not be remembered primarily as a man's director, but rather one that cared as much about his female characters as he did about his male...a fascinating read...outstanding...a wonderful piece of work --moviecritical.net.

Author Information

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.

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