HollywoodGolightly Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 > {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote} > Oh, I didn't realize. It wasn't clear from your post. Don't have the bucks right now, eh? Nah, I promised myself I was going to take a break from ordering books and DVDs a while back. I've got tons of stuff I haven't even opened yet. > That's too bad, I was hoping for something to look at this morning. Perhaps you have a Ben Johnson ramble you'd like to post? Or a movie of his you'd like to talk about? Yes, but I told you already, you're going to have to wait a little. Like Yoda said: "Patience!". Link to post Share on other sites
JackFavell Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 I'll be looking forward to an "in depth" study of our Ben.... Link to post Share on other sites
HollywoodGolightly Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 You may have mentioned this already, perhaps in another thread, but have you ever been to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum? Link to post Share on other sites
JackFavell Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 No. What do you like the best about Wagon Master? Link to post Share on other sites
HollywoodGolightly Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 > {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote} > No. Ben was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers there in 1982. It's in Oklahoma City, in case you're ever interested. > What do you like the best about Wagon Master? Ben Johnson!!!! :x Link to post Share on other sites
JackFavell Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 > {quote:title=HollywoodGolightly wrote:}{quote} > > {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote} > > No. > > Ben was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers there in 1982. It's in Oklahoma City, in case you're ever interested. Did you find that online? > > What do you like the best about Wagon Master? > > Ben Johnson!!!! :x No, silly! I mean what part of the movie is your very favorite? You said that your favorites were Wagon Master, SWAYR and Rio Grande. So I am wondering what caught your eye the most in WM, what part of the movie is your favorite? Link to post Share on other sites
HollywoodGolightly Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 > {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote} > Did you find that online? Yes, I have not been to Oklahoma City recently. > No, silly! I mean what part of the movie is your very favorite? You said that your favorites were Wagon Master, SWAYR and Rio Grande. So I am wondering what caught your eye the most in WM, what part of the movie is your favorite? Well I like the final showdown (where they "take care" of the bad guys). But more than a single part, it's the spirit of resilience that you find throughout the movie, because I think that is very real, in that you really needed resilience to make it in the Old West. And also, there's a spirit of camaraderie that feels very real. Not to mention the locations, which are very beautiful. Link to post Share on other sites
JackFavell Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 > {quote:title=HollywoodGolightly wrote:}{quote} > > {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote} > > Did you find that online? > > Yes, I have not been to Oklahoma City recently. When were you last in OKC? > Well I like the final showdown (where they "take care" of the bad guys). But more than a single part, it's the spirit of resilience that you find throughout the movie, because I think that is very real, in that you really needed resilience to make it in the Old West. And also, there's a spirit of camaraderie that feels very real. > > Not to mention the locations, which are very beautiful. What did you think of Alan Mowbray and Ruth Clifford? I thought that was one of the more interesting parts of the movie. Link to post Share on other sites
HollywoodGolightly Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 > {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote} > When were you last in OKC? Probably around the time Ben Johnson was being inducted... > What did you think of Alan Mowbray and Ruth Clifford? I thought that was one of the more interesting parts of the movie. For some reason the medicine show performers didn't make quite as big an impression as some of the rest of the cast. To discuss Wagon Master in general, I'd rather go to the thread dedicated to that movie; let's not steal the spotlight from Ben Johnson. Link to post Share on other sites
JackFavell Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 OK. I look forward to chatting all about it! Meet you there in a minute. Link to post Share on other sites
cinemafan Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 a little more Ben Link to post Share on other sites
MissGoddess Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 I really like that one, cinemafan. Link to post Share on other sites
JackFavell Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Oooh. That one is beautiful.... he looks so 1890's.....RUGGED! Link to post Share on other sites
HollywoodGolightly Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Very nice one, cinemafan. He does look rugged, just like Wendy said. I like the hat, too, it looks very nice on him. :x Link to post Share on other sites
cinemafan Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 from *Wagon Master* Ben and Harry Carey, Jr. Link to post Share on other sites
HollywoodGolightly Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 They both look so rugged and handsome! :x Link to post Share on other sites
JackFavell Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 Ben and Dobe worked so well together. They have an easy relationship that is charming on screen. Ben brings quiet country strength and Dobe brings a sense of fun and a little more keyed up excitement. One of my favorite scenes in Wagon Master is right after Dobe has been knocked down by Clegg. Ben and Dobe are riding out a little ways away from the wagon train, scouting, and Harry is obviously irritated. Travis: "All right. Get 'er said. Get it off yer chest..." Sandy: "I got nothin' to say." Travis: "We hired out as wagon masters, not gunfighters." Sandy: "I never claimed to be a gunfighter. but I'd have taken my chances if you'd have backed my play." Travis: "Sure, I know you would. But I ain't a riskin' 60 lives on a fool play like that." Sandy: "60?" Travis: "What if we'd got ourselves killed? These folks'd starve to death tryin' to get over these mountains, or die of thirst tryin' to get back to Crystal City. Naw. Without us, they haven't got a chance." Sandy: "Yeah, but what's gonna happen when we reach the San Juan? You think the Cleggs will just tip their hats and ride away?" Travis: "Like the elder says, we'll take care of that when we come to it." Link to post Share on other sites
JackFavell Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 Image posted by: JackFavell. Please do not reuse/repost without my permission. Link to post Share on other sites
MissGoddess Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 I always thought it was so interesting the way Ben's character squats on the ground just at that particular moment. I love all the unique body language you find in Ford movies that you just don't see anywhere else. Link to post Share on other sites
cinemafan Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 JackF, I have yet to see *Wagon Master* - never fear, the dialogue doesn't spoil anything for me. Hopefully, I will be able to see it before long. While researching Ben, I was pleasantly surprised to discover how many contemporary Western artists painted portraits of him, or did sculptures of Ben astride a horse. He is highly regarded as a cowboy and rodeo champion and all around regular guy. Here is a link to a page which describes a trophy designed to honor him. I haven't found a picture of it yet. Here is the site www.nationalcowboymuseum.org http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/info/awards-hof/Ben-Johnson-Award.aspx Message was edited by: cinemafan because it looks like the link does work! Link to post Share on other sites
HollywoodGolightly Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 I really like the photo they used. I don't remember having seen it before. Link to post Share on other sites
JackFavell Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 I love that picture, he is so clean cut and beautiful in it. A real life white hat.... where's Kathy? In many photos, Ben's wedding ring really stands out, as it does in that one. I can't remember another movie star's photos where their wedding ring seemed to be so prominent. It's sweet. In his interviews, he _always_ mentions his wife. Ben and his father were heroes for a lot of the rodeo circuit folks and westerners in general. I noticed the same kind of love and artwork (at least statuary) devoted to Will Rogers, and I think it has to do with small town folks really identifying with them both. There aren't a lot of Okies who get famous, and more than that, very few who embody the fine qualities of hard work and charity that Ben and Will did. Those qualities are highly valued in the west and midwest, so our boys were real life heroes to many who did not have a lot of good in their lives. They became icons for a whole group of people who were never represented before. Link to post Share on other sites
MissGoddess Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 I just took a look at that webpage and that is a great picture! In many photos, Ben's wedding ring really stands out, as it does in that one. I can't remember another movie star's photos where their wedding ring seemed to be so prominent. It's sweet. In his interviews, he always mentions his wife. It surely does glint! That's so great he had a fine, happy marriage. Why am I not surprised? Link to post Share on other sites
JackFavell Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 I always wonder why they didn't have kids. I suspect it might have been a very unhappy thing for them, but who knows, maybe they just wanted to concentrate on each other. He raised millions of dollars for children's charities. Link to post Share on other sites
MissGoddess Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 > {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote} > I always wonder why they didn't have kids. I suspect it might have been a very unhappy thing for them, but who knows, maybe they just wanted to concentrate on each other. He raised millions of dollars for children's charities. I know, to think what a WONDERFUL father Ben would have made...and how badly the world needs more like him! Link to post Share on other sites
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