John Ford

John Ford is a monumental figure in Hollywood and world cinema. Throughout his long and varied career spanning the silent and sound era, he produced nearly 150 films of which Iron Horse (1924), Stagecoach (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), How Green Was My Valley (1941), The Searchers (1956) and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) are classics of cinema. Ford was also an influential figure in developing, and extending Hollywood's traditions. Stylistically Ford was instrumental in developing new camera techniques, atmospheric lighting and diverse narrative devices. Thematically, long before it became conventional wisdom, Ford was exploring issues that concern us today, such as gender, race, the treatment of ethnic minorities and social outcasts, the nature of history and the relationship of myth and reality. For all these reasons, John Ford the man and his films reward thought and study, both for the general reader and the academic student. Ford's pictures express the world in which they were made, and have contributed to making what Hollywood is today. This book illustrates the excitement, importance, influence, creativity, deviousness and complexity of the man and his films. John Ford Was A Legend In His Own Time, A Monumental Figure Not Only In Hollywood But Throughout World Cinema. Even The Larger-than-life Orson Welles Admitted To Learning From Ford, The Director He Referred To In Artistic Terms As The 'old Master'. Ford Was One Of A Select Number Of Film Directors Who Was A Master Of Both Silent And Sound Movies. He Was Extraordinarily Prolific, Directing Around 150 Films Spanning Almost Fifty Years Of Film-making In Which The Iron Horse (1924), Stagecoach (1939), The Grapes Of Wrath (1940), How Green Was My Valley (1941), The Searchers (1956) And The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) Are Classics Of Cinema. Ford Was Also A Great Technical Virtuoso And Innovator. Stylistically He Was Instrumental In Developing New Camera Techniques, Atmospheric Lighting And Diverse Narrative Devices. This Book Explores The Major Movies Through Discussion Of Their Themes And Techniques And Reveals How Much Ford Was Concerned With The Very Issues That Are Central To Us Today: Gender, Race, The Treatment Of Ethnic Minorities And Social Outcasts, The Nature Of History And The Relationship Between Myth And Reality. Unlike Most Books On Ford, Which Approach The Man And His Work Chronologically, This One Is Designed Around A Collection Of Ideas Which Provide A Better Sense Of The Coherence Of The Great Director's Thinking And Creative Output, Highlighting His Enormous Contribution To The Development Of Film-making Through The Exploration Of Specific Films.--jacket. Ford's Film Family -- Ford As Auteur -- Generically Challenged -- The Greatest Storyteller -- Conservative Or Subversive -- Entertainer Or Ideologue -- Unconscious Racist -- Patriarchy Or Matriarchy. Brian Spittles. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 121-124) And Index. Filmography: P. X. -- John Ford, director of nearly 150 films, is a monumental figure in Hollywood.-- Looks at issues and themes Ford explored in his movies, including gender, race, treatment of ethnic minorities and the relationship of myth and reality.-- Examines Ford's experimentation with new camera technique, atmospheric lighting and diverse narrative devices.John Ford is one of the greatest and most influential of Hollywood's film-makers. He worked in the industry for over half a century, directing nearly 150 movies. The time span and output alone make him a monumental figure. Ford's influential lists of films includes "The Informer" (1935), "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940), "How Green Was My Valley" (1941) and "The Quiet Man" (1952), but he was crucial in developing and extending Hollywood's traditions. Stylistically Ford was instrumental in experimenting with new camera techniques, atmospheric lighting and diverse narrative devices. Long before it became conventional wisdom, Ford was exploring issues that concern us so deeply today, such as gender, race, the treatment of ethnic minorities and social outcasts, the nature of history and the relationship of myth and reality. For all these reasons, John Ford the man, and his films, provide interesting and fascinating reading. Ford's pictures express the world in which they were made, and have contributed to making Hollywood what it is today. Popular film would be different had John Ford not been a director. This book illustrates the excitement, importance, influence, creativity, deviousness and complexity of the man and his films. "This book explores the major movies through discussion of their themes and techniques and reveals how much Ford was concerned with the very issues that are central to us today: gender, race, the treatment of ethnic minorities and social outcasts, the nature of history and the relationship between myth and reality. Unlike most books on Ford, which approach the man and his work chronologically, this one is designed around a collection of ideas which provide a better sense of the coherence of the great director's thinking and creative output, highlighting his enormous contribution to the development of film-making through the exploration of specific films."--Jaquette