Thanks for the article on Ford. He has long been one of my favorites. I think because he wasn’t flashy like Gable or as handsome as Grant he had a certain appeal to an ordinary guy, but one with values, determination and grit.

If he played only himself then I am glad he shared himself with us because I think he is quite interesting.

Actually, Al, I believe that TCM has shown Texas (1941) before within the last 5 years. It may not have been available for lease for today, despite the programming staff’s efforts. Fortunately, they did manage to include four of Glenn Ford‘s Westerns for today and Texas is available on DVD as well as VHS for a reasonable price.

I agree about the guiding hand of George Marshall, whose films may not have been earth-shaking, but were definitely entertaining. I’m still hoping that Murder, He Says (1945) with Fred MacMurray encountering Marjorie Main‘s backwoods brood, will show up on broadcast cable again someday. One of the funniest and deeply silly movies of all time.

Btw, according to Bob Thomas‘ account of the filming of Texas in his bio of Holden, director George Marshall used to goad the relative neophyte Glenn Ford into performing his own stunts by saying stuff like, “Bill Holden is all ready to do that cattle drive on horseback across the river. Do you want me to get a stuntman to do your bit in that scene…or what?” Marshall would try the same ploy on William Holden.

Naturally, the production company wound up with the two young actors competing fiercely with one another, though the pair gradually caught on to the manipulation and sought out the advice of seasoned stunt men before agreeing to riskier stunts. Despite the competitive streak in their friendship, the rapport they showed on screen was very real.

It was directed by the great comedy specialist George Marshall, who made many clinkers but also helmed Murder He Says, The Blue Dahlia, Destry Rides Again, The Ghost Breakers and The Sheepman. Not shabby. He could do good work. There are some of his films that sound promising that I haven’t seen, like And the Angels Sing, A Millionaire for Christy and Red Garters. I also enjoyed Variety Girl and Star Spangled Rhythm but I’m a sucker for all-star films. He also did part of How the West Was Won, which is not a classic but one that entertains most people.

In Texas we first see Bill Holden and Glenn Ford as they appear before a judge prejudiced towards Confederate soldiers. Their crime? Stealing a pig. The hot headed Holden attacks the judge.
George Bancroft, as a well like local politico, comes to their rescue and pays their fines. So Holden agrees later to become a last minute replacement in a boxing match Bancroft sponsors. He is up against a pro who knocks him down 35 times. But Holden keeps getting up. Then he learns that Bancroft bet on his opponent and becomes angry enough to beat the pro. As he rides away with Ford, Holden learns that his buddy, Glenn, bet their last bit of money on the other guy.
Things keep happening to them like they’re in an Indiana Jones film. They witness a stagecoach robbery from afar and follow and rob the robbers. Holden is thought to be the coach robber and is almost lynched but Ford gets the mob to disperse but telling them that Indians are on the warpath. “Ain’t I a liar?” Ford tells Holden with a grin and they ride off in the opposite direction.
Then the plot thickens. Both men fall in love with ranch owner Claire Trevor. Ford stands for law and order and Holden pulls some unethical stunts. They agree that they “have fallen on opposite sides of the fence.”
Although most of the rest of the film is standard Western stuff, Marshall still manages to pull some gags. At one point Trevor does a pratfall when she trips over a beautiful saddle, a gift Holden bought her. Some gunmen chase Holden through some business offices and interrupt a man taking a bath in a tub. “Sorry, Sheriff,” Holden says.

TCM has been showing Columbia Pictures films and could have picked this one to honor Ford. But they didn’t. Let’s hope they show it soon.

An understated gem, he was. I love the photos of Ford’s gardening prowess on his son’s website — what a multi-talented man he was, and down-to-earth (literally) and brave.

Definitely one of the good ones!

I’m afraid Ford sometimes comes across as a John Forsythe type – an older, straight arrow, with a brow furrowed by concern for the youth of today, or some such. I’ll have to watch some more of his films and get a more rounded view.

I also loved that photo of Ford by the fence as the lead for this article. I believe that in Superman (1978), btw, Glenn Ford‘s approximately three minute performance (complete with death scene) made that movie for me.

Other than that, it’s good to see some affection for this actor. His lack of recognition puzzles me to this day, but perhaps such small scale movies as Dear Heart (1964), which Patricia also mentioned, might re-emerge eventually. The ensemble playing, led by Ford and Page, ranged from subdued drama about the nature of loneliness to a comedic commentary on human nature, and the marvelous supporting cast, with Angela Lansbury, Barbara Nichols, Ruth McDevitt, and Mary Wickes, among many others, contributes to the story immeasurably. Dear Heart deserves to be seen again.

Hi Jerry 42nd Memories-
I think it was intriguing to see how many reviewers asked why the recent remake of 3:10 to Yuma was made, when the original, directed by Delmer Daves, had been a much more concisely written and acted film. Since I am a total Delmer Daves aficionado (yes, even the soapy as well as the more restrained films!), it was good to see the appreciation pour forth for the 1957 version.

Hi Richard A. Ekstedt–
I haven’t seen the made for tv movie, The Brotherhood of the Bell (1970) in years, but hope to eventually track it down. The degree of commitment that Glenn Ford made in serving his country was indeed remarkable and the extent to which he served deserves more recognition. I hope that the forthcoming bio by Peter Ford is published soon too.

My thanks to each of you for taking the trouble to share your comments here.