Ben Johnson is one of the should-have-been stories of the Western genre.His laconic, easy going charm, coupled with astonishing horse riding skills,makes him stand out in the John Wayne buddy school.He always seemed to be half-smiling wryly at productions he was in, as if to say,"Yup;this ain't nuthin' but my film"
Always watchable, a Western gentleman of the 'yes ma'am' type,Johnson should have been king of the Westerns; he was eased out by giants of the Wayne calibre.
I appreciate your observations. Have been a Ben Johnson fan since "Mighty Joe Young" through a myriad of solid character roles over the years, like "The Wild Bunch", "Shane" and "Breakheart Pass". At least, if not the main Western hero,
he stood up there like Wayne and McLaglan and accepted his "Oscar", by golly!
I am replying to a nine year old post but what the heck.
I did not see anybody mention, One Eyed Jacks, in this thread.
It was in that movie that I started paying attention to Ben Johnson.
Are you still around randl1999?
I am watching TCM and they are having a John Wayne fest. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is currently playing and I am watching it. Last night I watched Stagecoach for the tenth time....another great movie.
If you have not yet watched One Eyed Jacks you should give it a try.
I agree with your observations of Ben Johnson. I believe the reason we did not see more of him was, "Blacklisted by John Ford"
shareWell, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
We wouldn't have been aware of Gentleman Ben in the first place if not for the mercurial Ford.
There is even less to see of Ben Johnson in Randolph Scott's BADMAN'S TERRITORY, one of his first film appearances. He appears late in the film as a member of the sheriff's posse, delivers one line and then dismounts. When the sheriff and another actor enter the saloon, Johnson is nowhere to be seen! Kind of like the drunken Tennessean who Wayne pulls off a bench and instantly vanishes from view.
I also thought I saw Johnson in William Elliott's WYOMING as a ranchhand, but it hard to tell because Johnson is on the thin side. I hadn't seen the film in years and when I saw it recently the plot seemed to be based loosely on the Johnson County War. It is a far better movie than the overblown HEAVEN'S GATE.
I know he wasn't usually the star, but I think I've seen him in more westerns than anyone else, save John Wayne.
shareJust wondering but what happened with him and Ford?
shareAccording to Maureen O'Hara, in her autobiog 'Tis herself', Ben made some innocuous remark about a scene in Rio Grande. It was after shooting, when the company would all sit together having dinner. Ford overheard and took offence, as he was wont to do, and therafter referred to Ben as 'hey, stupid', or some such thing.
Apparently Ben put up with it, like the gentleman he was, but they never worked again until Cheyenne Autumn. Uncredited! Ford was a great director, but he was also the mother of all sons of bitches.
Ben Johnson shows real star quality in this film.
It ain't like it used to be. But it'll do.
I agree with you completely!. I've read and seen several interviews with him and he's such a gentleman and delightful man. I worked with a woman who lived in the same retirement community as her father. After she mentioned to her dad that I was Ben Johnson's BIGGEST fan, he sent me an autographed picture! I was so excited - it was such a nice thing to do. I remember that he and his wife of 50 years or so hadn't had children, but that they supported children's charities in Oklahoma (where they were from) and in Arizona (where they retired). Just a class act, I think.
shareI tend to think that the reason Ben Johnson didn't shoot to stardom (even though he was in very many films between "Rio Grande" and "Cheyenne Autumn"--in small parts) was that he never really took over a movie, even when given the chance as in "Wagon Master". Ward Bond ended up making a greater impression in that film than Johnson who was hardly distinguishable from his sidekick, Harry Carey Junior. That said, I like Johnson a lot, he just didn't have the star quality that Wayne had even as early as "Stagecoach".
shareI'm currently reading "A Company of Heroes", Harry Carey Jr.'s autobiography of his early
film career in John Ford films. He offers many
observations about Ben Johnson and John Ford. He says that Ben was a very easy-going cowboy
in an "Aw shucks" kind of way. He also says that Ford was a somewhat curmudgeon, that was in total control of his movies & would hold a grudge.
Harold
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Yes, excellent performance, beautiful film.
shareAgree with everybody, but if you've never seen him in 1949's Might Joe Young, you should check it out. A different character for him and he is the best thing about the movie. I just have a hard time getting past the leading ladies voice when she is calling "Joe".
He also has one of the great smiles of Hollywood, even when he is getting the bloody snot whipped out of him in "Shane" he has the great little smile/smirk.
Ben Johnson, one of good guys!
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Thanks for everyone's comments on Ben Johnson.
His voice is my favorite among all actors.
He only has to say a couple syllables for the viewer to believe he really is in the genuine West.
I liked him in The Wild Bunch, where he got plenty of acting time.
What a wonderful voice.
See Ben also in a terrific performance in "Bite the Bullet!"
shareThanks.
I'll try to find it.
his characterization of Sam the Lion in Last Picture Show is like bookends on the American West of film. after serving to create the romantic myth, he also stuck around to put bookends on it with an update. bleak, truthful, excellent.
shareI agree with all of the above observations about Ben Johnson, a great actor! But no-one yet mentioned his tantalizing performance in "Dillinger" as Melvin Purvis, the FBI-man who took Dillinger down. Although Warren Oats is great as Dillinger, Ben Johnson carries that film on his shoulders. I saw the movie when it was new in 1974, but was thrilled to finally find it on DVD. See it!
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That's what is awesome about Ben Johnson...he barely seemed to be acting at all. I seem to recall a quote from him saying "I'm not that great of an actor, but I can play Ben Johnson to perfection."
Anyway, loved him in Yellow Ribbon.
tgladek said: I remember that he and his wife of 50 years or so hadn't had children, but that they supported children's charities in Oklahoma (where they were from) and in Arizona (where they retired). Just a class act, I think.
Johnson was still visiting children's hospitals in the 1990's. I lived in Oklahoma City for many years and had a close friendship with a family whose youngest son had developed a rare form of cancer. Johnson paid this little boy a visit and posed in a picture with him. ("Mikey" would pass away in September of 1993, just a few days after his fifth birthday.)
Always liked this guy, he stands out just because of his presence onscreen. And the sheer authenticity, you knew from the get-go he was a cowboy for real. There's a fun episode of Gunsmoke from about '66 where he confronts William Shatner(!) out in the street, it's quite the contrast of acting styles. One the Ford stock company Western tough, the other the TV chew the scenery w/ every word Shat. I enjoyed.
For the Poster who though Ford Black listed him..... I believe Ben Johnson returned to his first love.
Team Roping, Calf Roping, and Steer Roping, i seem to recall he went to Hollywood in about 40, but prior to that he was a world champion roper. Made movies a few years (or worked as a wrangler) then rodeo'd again...... If you understand rodeo cowboy's then you understand why he'd go back to it.
Around these 'parts Ben Johnson Jr. is known as a Roper, along with his Dad. The even named the rodeo arena in his home town after him and his father Ben Johnson Sr.
Among circles around here he is considered a Demi-God
...Good to hear this story Vinidici (and so many others!) sounds like one of natures gentlemen, the type we need more of, but get less. I wonder if anyone remembers Ben taking a featured role in an episode of Stoney Bourke?...and one of the better episodes it was! I have heard though, that another reason Ben did not take bigger roles was that he had difficulty remembering lines, could be, and would explain a lot.
"Waggon Master" was all his though, and it sure was good to see him do so much work in "Yellow Ribbon" (this film is not a favorite of mine but certainly good to look at) PS: If anyone wants the name of the Stony Bourke ep, I can easily look it up for them.
I personally think of Ben Johnson when I think of Westerns. Growing up in the '70's, I saw him many times in character actor roles. I always thought he was great! Even though he didn't play the lead, he had so many character roles that he made his mark in the genre.
Also, he has one of the most unique voices. I hear him in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" and I instantly recognize him as the same actor from so many years later!
And, wow!, could that boy ride!
"I. Drink. Your. Milkshake! [slurp!] I DRINK IT UP!" - Daniel Plainview - "There Will Be Blood"
Johnson was great in this movie.
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