Posts from arthurarnell in thread „The Horse Soldiers (1959)“

  • The Horse Soldiers (1959)

    Hi Viper


    The Horse Soldiers was cut short because of Fred Kennedy's death, The film should have finished with the soldiers led by Marlowe making a triumphful entrance to New Orleans but after the ragic death of the stuntman Ford's heart wasn't in it and he basically walked away from the picture ending it in the quickest and least messy way that he could.


    Regards


    Arthur

  • The Horse Soldiers (1959)

    Hi


    The death of Fred Kennedy certainly hit Ford hard, Kennedy was proably past his best and as it was nearing Christmas Ford only gave him the part to give him a little extra cash for Christmas.


    After Kenedy's death Ford lost all feeling for the film and rather than stage the up beat entry into New Orleans he finished the film at the bridge.


    Now for what I find to be an interesting point, As the rebels get ready to decamp from the train Wayne gives his pistol away saying that he doesent need it. By the time they have crossed the river and are attacking the rebel gun battery he has recovered it and is seen firing it although to what effect isn't seen, and it is this what I find interesting.


    Some years ago I wrote a letter to Tim lilley in The Big Trail argueing that in his films where he fought indians far from being the cold blooded shoot em up villain that he was depicted as he rarely used his guns at all.


    I also believe that if a study was done it would be interesting to see how many times he actually does inflict casualties with either rifle pistol or sabre. I would bet a pound to a penny that it isn't many. I would appreciate your thoughts on this.


    Regards


    Arthur

  • The Horse Soldiers (1959)

    Hi


    One scene from the book that I was convinced Ford would show for both spectacle and comedy. occurs when the soldiers are burning a bridge at Newton Grange station and decide to run a train over it. A soldier volunteers to drive the train intending to jump out at the last minute. However as he makes ready to jump he stands on a shovwel which in true Chaplin style rises up and hits him in the face. As he staggers to his feet the train goes over the edge.


    For my opinion of the film I though it was a good film - not a great one but a good one for all of that. it was to be Ford's great civil war picture the one that he had always wanted to do, he even promised the producers that he would get Duke to star in the film and dragged him out of another office to perduade him to take the part. For whatever reason I think he failed.


    When the soldiers ride into Newton Grange you see a group of confederate soldiers sitting on some steps by the hotel or the saloon. I was convinced the actor bald headed and sitting out in front was Dean Jagger, which is ridiculous because by the time the Horse Soldiers was made Jagger was a star in his own right.


    During the making of the location shots Ford had a strict no drinking policy, which drove both Wayne and William Holdien to despair. Under the pretense that Duke's teeth were showing up slighty yellow on the rushes both actors were allowed to go to the nearest town to visit a dentist. The next mornin g Marty Rackin one of the producers drove into town to pick ayne and Holden up and worried that Ford might be angry drove fast back. Wayne turned to rackin and said slow down Marty because whatever happens you're only goint to get third billing.


    More later

  • The Horse Soldiers (1959)

    Hi Ethan


    I have just been typing a long list of my thoughts on the Horse Soldiers when my computer crashed and I lost the lot. I am trying again but may confine it to small individual segments.


    As I initiated this topic I thought it was about time that I put my two cents worth in.


    I read The Horse Soldiers when I was about fourteen or fifteen and thought it would make a great picture.


    The role of Kendall in the book is very minor if he is mentioned at all, The scene in the cabin is mentioned but the doctor is not allowed to deliver the baby as Marlowe orders him to rejoin the column leaving the woman to her own devices.


    Also in the book as in the film Marlowe splits his command but not as in the film to send it back North to deter the rebels. In Sinclairs book the second column controlled by a Major Bryce, (I think that was his name) runs parrall with Marlowe's and alternate chapters detail each columns progress, a fact that Ford would have had a nightmare with over continuity.


    More later