I know - it was only February - but as we are doing the Cavalry Trilogy, I couldn't allow Q to miss this divine chapter. And do you know what? It was so easy to watch again. It looks stunning (Winton Hoch), the acting's great, and the barroom brawl is hilarious.
One of my favourite scenes emerges as that in which Wayne comes in to his CO's office to complain about having to take women along on his mission (which he's right to do, by the way). The CO allows him to put his complaint in writing, helping him with his spelling. Then one of the women in question, who is the CO's wife, enters - the indispensable Mildred Natwick - 'Iron Drawers' or something - and she greets him like an old feisty friend, which they are.. and suddenly the whole dynamic of the scene is altered - it's no longer just his CO but an old friend and ally. This friendly relationship with superior officers is something that comes up time and again in Ford.
It's fabulous. Q said the last sunset scene reminded her of GWTW - I knew exactly what she meant. And to answer her question, it was shot in 28 days. 'Of course he shot very spare. He never made unnecessary close-ups.. If he had a three shot in a dramatic scene, he didn't go from head to head, he kept it in that three shot to get the contact between the people.' (In fact if you watch closely, he does sometimes move the camera to bring in another person. It's all very subtle, to be sure, to be sure.) And on directing Ben Johnson: 'Ford finally got him so loose he practically stole the picture.' Harry Carey Jr. to Lindsay Anderson, 'About John Ford' (1981).
And: Two great women of strength. Though when McLaglen shouts at Joanne Dru 'Shut your gob!' it's hilarious.
And: That dog sleeping on parade. Q's right, it accompanies the cavalry everywhere.
And: The stampeding of ponies. Incredibly well directed and photographed.
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