MovieChat Forums > Rio Grande (1950) Discussion > Why B/W?

Why B/W?

posted 17 years ago by emailtb-1
10 replies | jump to latest

Anyone know why John Ford decided to use black & white? After all, the previous film in this "cavalry trilogy" was in color.

[–] misspaddylee 17 years ago

"She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" was in colour, but "Fort Apache" was in B&W.

Perhaps the reason for shooting "Rio Grande" in B&W had something to do with the budget at Republic. Personally, I like the B&W. How about you?

"It's as red as The Daily Worker and just as sore."

[–] bari2525 17 years ago

Herb Yates demanded an "old-fashioned, B&W western" from Ford, Wayne, and O'Hara, in order for them to make "The Quiet Man." This is what was relayed in the special features of the DVD by several people, including Leonard Maltin and Maureen O'Hara.

Hope this helps!

Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway. John Wayne

[–] theshootist40 14 years ago

I for one love the B&W.

When the legend becomes a fact... print the legend.

[–] bari2525 14 years ago

As do I!

I don't act...I react. John Wayne

[–] rixrex 10 years ago

Yates demanded B&W because it was cheaper. That was the Republic pictures stance. If there was no benefit to it, it did not get shot in color. In this case, there would have been no additional box office revenue if it were in color.

While I like B&W, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon proves that color is appropriate for the subject.

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The Eyes of the City are Mine! Mother Pressman / Anguish (1987)

[–] DaysofOdumba 14 years ago

I am glad that John Wayne only shot his pornography in color.

[–] tallchris60 10 years ago

Budget. Yates was thrifty and B&W was less expensive than color.

[–] pgharett-676-553123 9 years ago

To be more direct, Yates was a tight wad. But I like to see movies the way they were made, so I don't mind the b & w.

[–] wrlord2001 10 years ago

Why not B/W? The photography in this one is gorgeous. You may as well ask why not in 3-D?

[–] liscarkat (16483) 5 years ago

According to Harry Carey, Jr., Ford wanted to make it in color, but Yates told him it was going to be black-and-white. Uncharacteristically, Ford gave in without an argument. But it doesn't matter, the movie is beautiful in black-and-white.