MovieChat Forums > One-Eyed Jacks (1961) Discussion > Ben Johnson's acting (as Bob Amory) was ...

Ben Johnson's acting (as Bob Amory) was stellar

posted 16 years ago by wernersieg
16 replies | jump to latest

Ben Johnson did a fine job playing Bob Amory. Too bad he didn't have more screen time. I looked him up and found out he won an Oscar for his role as Sam the Lion in The Last Picture Show.

His story is interesting. He was born on a ranch in Oklahoma and was a rodeo performer. He had no interest in acting but Howard Hughes hired him to take care of his horses for a short time and had him play some small part in one of his movies. When Ben Johnson get his check, for $300, his interest perked up because he was only paid about $25 in the rodeo.

He was content to play small roles -- he said, there are many more versatile actors in this town, but no one can play Ben Johnson as well as me!

[–] JoeinFla 16 years ago

Ben Johnson is one of my favorite character actors. I loved all the work he did with John Ford, John Wayne, and with director Andrew V. McLaglen in the "Sackett" series. He was acting for a long, long time as you've seen in his IMDb page. Remember him from "Mighty Joe Young?" He certainly deserved awards in his day.

During this film, Ben was riding a beautiful Palamino horse that I swear could be Trigger of Roy Rogers fame. Johnson would certainly have known Roy from around the studios, so I wonder if it could be possible; could Ben Johnson be riding Trigger?

[–] gringott 15 years ago

I agree that he did a bang-up job in this movie - also in Shane. He freaked me out the first time I saw Shane and he appeared in the barn. I used to think of him a typical second banana in westerns - until I saw him in One eyed and Shane, that made me relook his work in other films.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] batfish73 15 years ago

Ben's authenticity gives the mighty Brando a real run for his money.
you know...everyone does a great job in this picture.
too bad directing and editing bored Marlon...he got some great work from these actors.

btw when Brando kicks that chair out from under his feet...the look on his face...pure bolts of lightening.

[–] ozymandias312 15 years ago

Hear, hear! :o)

And here's to him -- o/`You'll not see nothing like the mighty Ben o/`

Ozy

And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.

[–] jriley555 15 years ago

duck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZhQNelt3Co

[–] joeparkson 14 years ago

My favorite Ben Johnson role was in two John Ford westerns as Travis Tyree.

He was the real, authentic cowboy.

Absurdity: A Statement or belief inconsistent with my opinion.

[–] ozymandias312 14 years ago

Yeah, he really was. :o)

Ozy

And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.

[–] intofilm 11 years ago

Ben Johnson was never a better bad guy than in this film. But where he really really had a chance to shine as a different kind of character was in in The Last Picture Show. I was SO GLAD he got the Oscar for that.

[–] hankpac 10 years ago

Mr Johnson was terrific in "Mighty Joe Young".
This was the first movie I ever saw him in.

[–] wpcoop2000 10 years ago

How come nobody has mentioned The Wild Bunch?

[–] eddie-fendel 7 years ago

Intofilm, I was also SO GLAD he got his Oscar for T L P S. He had no problem playing bad guys ( The Getaway ) and good guys ( Dillinger ). He was a real cowboy, a true professional and a decent guy. The man was class.

PS Special thanks to Mr Ford for making him into an actor and persuading him to do Sam The Lion.

[–] csu16387 10 years ago

He was very good, even chilling at times. Ben's scenes with Brando are a pleasure to watch.

"I think we've out-sophisticated ourselves out of some of the pleasures of movies."

[–] manage-932-700755 10 years ago

He always was one of the greatest character actors. I liked him in "Shane" and then many years later in "Ruckus," just to mention a couple of his many outstanding roles.

[–] tomcervo 7 years ago

One of the features on the Criterion BluRay mentions the scripting process. Brando would talk over the lines with the other actors, and he liked to use stuff Johnson and Slim Pickens came up with, both having been cowboys on the rodeo circuit. He also seemed to consciously pattern much of his speech on Johnson's, for the same reason. Not an imitation, more the way of deliberate, considered talking.