Siren, what a fabulous post. And perfect just ahead of March 17th. You're right - it's amazing the reaction that Ford elicits because of his "conservatism," though as Jim Wolcott does note, it's not the same conservatism of today. Despite its old turf hokum, I've kept a fond spot for The Quiet Man as well - one of John Wayne's best roles, the ensemble is terrific, and it's a scenic Ford outside of the American west. "What say you, Michaleen?"
M.A. Peel
· 2 years ago
Yes, thanks for the timely focus.
I saw The Informer as a child, way too young. The print was terrible, because I remember everything was really hard to see. I think it was on the 4:00 Million Dollar movie, that amazing Metro-New York equivalent of TCM before cable.
With help from my older brother, I followed the story. I felt so sad for Gypo Nolan because he was this big, unloved guy, and everything he tried went wrong. It really affected me, getting the first inklings of how the world can be cold, harsh place for some people.
I have neve watched it again. Reading about it now, I should.
As for The Quiet Man, "Homeric"!
Self Styled Siren
· 2 years ago
Tom, thanks for adding the YouTube bit, complete with French subtitles. (Much amusement can be had from watching French translations of period slang. The subtitles to "The Maltese Falcon", for example, are a hoot. "Quelle charactere!")
As George Fasel, Lance and even Jim Wolcott all state, Ford was more of a classicist than anything. There is a formal beauty and structure to this film that I don't think another filmmaker could have managed.
M.A., this film is rarely shown as a St. Patrick's Day tribute, most likely because it is, as you note, depressing as hell. One of my private parlor games is "Fantasy Double Feature," and I think this movie would play nicely on a bill with the similarly underrated "Cal," another movie about a doomed Irishman. (Also has a great performance by Helen Mirren.) While it would not be a jolly St. Paddy's evening, it would drive the viewers to drink as surely as "The Quiet Man." "Ah, the stories I could tell ye ... but me throat, me throat!"
Tom Watson
· 2 years ago
John Lennon wasn't all that far off when he wrote:
"If you had the luck o'the Irish, you'd be sorry and wish you were dead.... If you had the luck o'the Irish, you would wish you was English instead."
The melancholy is as worth preserving as the green Budweiser - more so!
The Quiet Man is the Ireland we all wish existed, I think. Who wouldn't want to live in Innisfree?
M.A. Peel
· 2 years ago
Tom, Siren--what a riot! The quotable Quiet Man. "Marquess of Queensbury rules!" "No patty fingers now . . proprieties at all times." And from Father Lonegen: "I knew your people, Sean. Your grandfather died in a penal colony in Austraila, and you father, he was a good man too."
All Comments
Despite its old turf hokum, I've kept a fond spot for The Quiet Man as well - one of John Wayne's best roles, the ensemble is terrific, and it's a scenic Ford outside of the American west. "What say you, Michaleen?"
I saw The Informer as a child, way too young. The print was terrible, because I remember everything was really hard to see. I think it was on the 4:00 Million Dollar movie, that amazing Metro-New York equivalent of TCM before cable.
With help from my older brother, I followed the story. I felt so sad for Gypo Nolan because he was this big, unloved guy, and everything he tried went wrong. It really affected me, getting the first inklings of how the world can be cold, harsh place for some people.
I have neve watched it again. Reading about it now, I should.
As for The Quiet Man, "Homeric"!
As George Fasel, Lance and even Jim Wolcott all state, Ford was more of a classicist than anything. There is a formal beauty and structure to this film that I don't think another filmmaker could have managed.
M.A., this film is rarely shown as a St. Patrick's Day tribute, most likely because it is, as you note, depressing as hell. One of my private parlor games is "Fantasy Double Feature," and I think this movie would play nicely on a bill with the similarly underrated "Cal," another movie about a doomed Irishman. (Also has a great performance by Helen Mirren.) While it would not be a jolly St. Paddy's evening, it would drive the viewers to drink as surely as "The Quiet Man." "Ah, the stories I could tell ye ... but me throat, me throat!"
"If you had the luck o'the Irish, you'd be sorry and wish you were dead....
If you had the luck o'the Irish, you would wish you was English instead."
The melancholy is as worth preserving as the green Budweiser - more so!
The Quiet Man is the Ireland we all wish existed, I think. Who wouldn't want to live in Innisfree?