Losing the woman he loved to Ransom haunted Tom for the rest of his life and he was never able to move on from it and find love again with anyone else. Beginning with "Stagecoach" (1939), continuing from 1948 through 1950 with the Cavalry Trilogy ("Fort Apache," "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" and "Rio Grande"), and finally to 1962 and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," together in 10 features they largely formed the templates of the Hollywood Western. But he hasnt. His illiterate students include Hallie. (One stylistic touch: In this film, he habitually calls Stoddard "Pilgrim," which expresses an insight into the lawyer's character.). The way Ford employs the African-American Pompey is observant. But hes conflicted: he finds himself drawn back to the community time and again, ostensibly by his love for Hattie, but also from an honest desire to help the townspeople avoid being killed by Valance and other instruments of the Northern cattle interests that are attempting to block statehood, and thus the establishment of law and order in the territory (statehood means the end of the so-called open range the literal and symbolic manifestation of the raw capitalist power of the cattle barons: the land belongs to them because they have the power to take it). One of John Fords most effective later films, told flashback fashion as the senator and his wife arrive unannounced in Shinbone to pay tribute to an old friend who has passed. Personality chivalrous, calm, and tough as all hell. Entering the then-unincorporated territory as a young lawyer, Ranse is beaten and robbed by infamous outlaw Liberty Valance and his gang. And as they swarm around the senator for details, Stoddard starts recalling the events leading up to that day and, the film cuts to a flashback. Tom Doniphon is played by John Wayne, while Ransom Stoddard is played by Jimmie Stewart. I was praying that it wouldn't be revealed later that Tom (John Wayne) assisted him. The deadliest and most sadistic killer in all Ford's films, Liberty Valance has been filtered through all Ford's other villains, emerging as a composite of the worst features in each. His attempt to teach Stoddard to shoot only had the result of humiliating him. Tom Doniphon shoots the outlaw thug Liberty Valance from the shadows, keeps it a secret, then realizes that his girl Hallie is in love with Ransom Stoddard, whereupon he burns his house to the ground (starting with the new wing hed built for her. Thom Donovan (born Thomas Joseph Donovan; July 24, 1974 in St. Louis, Missouri) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer.He has released five solo albums and was the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Lapush.His international performance career has included concerts across the United States as well as cities around the world. It is also his most claustrophobic western; shot in Black & White and completely on a studio lot with minimal sets, the film has none of his trademark shots of stunning landscapes and colorful panoramic vistas. He goes to the convention and sees Stoddard break down and try to flee rather than stand for election. Stewart turns in another winning performance. As the film opens, U. S. Senator Ransom Stoddard (James Stewart) arrives in Shinbone by the new railroad with his wife Hallie (Vera Miles) to attend the funeral of a man named Tom Doniphon (John Wayne). Throughout the movie there is a clear message; wilderness V. civilization. All slaying were attributed to a "phantom." That he does this by mixing in history, humorous supporting characters and a poignant romance is typical; his films were complete and self-contained in a way that approaches perfection. A man of action and few words (note his instinctive hatred of the rhetoric in the Convention speeches), Doniphon is very much an individual who minds his own business. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) - Plot - IMDb This is fascism against democracy: the tyranny of the strongman over the ordinary people. When John Ford and John Wayne set out to make this film, both of them were at a low stage in their life and career and, in their relationship with each other. He explains: "The Western is intrinsically the most political movie genre, because, like Plato's 'Republic,' it is concerned with the founding of cities, and because it depicts the various abstract functions of government as direct, physical actions." The film was a direct influence on Leones own end of the west westernOnce upon a time in the West. What Hallie Knew | The Smart Set The nave myths and legends (or untruths) that Ford had propagated about the civilizing of the West (and the building of the American nation), through the 70 odd films he made in his lifetime are all overturned by him in this film. Valance toys with Stoddard, shooting his arm and laughing at him. UPDATE: Whoa, looks like I am two days ahead of an official discussion of this film, my apologies. He would also emerge victorious (at least temporarily) in his fight against cancer as well,and he would go on to enjoy more than a decade and half of solid superstardom, before he would finally succumb to cancer. The corpse is being held in a plain pine box, and when he views it Stoddard is angered to see the boots have been stolen. Then there was also the fact that with the advent of 60s, the social climate in Hollywood (and in America)was changing drastically. But his is the old form of Western prowess; its Stewart who represents the territorys future. Did Doodie Do It - Texas Psychiatry John Wayne Western Collection (dvd) : Target It would be easy for him to assume the title of town marshal from lovable cowardly drunk Andy Devine, and yet he has no interest. The movie becomes about making a sacrifice for the greater good, and includes an element of chance or fate. It is made clear in "Liberty Valance" that segregation was the practice in the territory. Change). But he is a sort of reluctant hero, who minds his own business, and is roused into action only if his path crosses with the outlaws. Tom Doniphon : My boy, Pompey; kitchen door. This is also the last western he would make with his most favorite actor John Wayne, with whom he did close to 14 films. They would make one more film together, the lighthearted comedyDonovans Reef (1963), and call it quits. So the newspapermen are all surprised, as to why Ranse Stoddard: three-term governor, two-term senator, ambassador to the Court of St. James, would attend his funeral. Stoddard goes into the street to face Valance. There is no formally enforced law and order; Doniphon says, "Out here a man settles his own problems.". Lee Van Cleef Reese He also hated, what he called, intellectual snobbishness, but, this film is the most intellectual of all his films, not to mention cynical, political, pessimistic and subversive. Stoddard recounts the whole tale to a local newspaper reporter - and plans to come clean about that night. But the films of John Ford make no attempt to take us into the past; they are about the past. Hes the toughest man in town, admired by all, the only one brave enough, strong enough, fast enough to stand up to Valance, except he wont do it. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Wikipedia The age factor was a bigger problem with Stewart, because he was playing aguy half his real age for most part of the film, but with Wayne, he was again playing a personality, a symbol which represents some abstract values, so it was not a problem for him.
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