Andy Morel
Film 2600
10/11/11
Doctor Londino
I. As we watched Stagecoach it was clear why it was one of the all time classics. People not only debate it being the best western of all time but one of the greatest films of all time. The director John Ford did a magnificent job in showing all the different levels of class in this film which we discussed in class. Doc Boone was a doctor with a drinking problem, Dallas was a prostitute, Lucy who was pregnant and on her way to see her husband who was in the military, Hatfield the Gambler, Gatewood a banker , Ringo Kid an escaped fugitive, and the voice of reason a whiskey salesman named peacock. Mr. Ford incorporated all these diverse characters really well into the script as all of them rode inside a stagecoach to Lordsburg. We spoke of Doc Boone the most after the film how him being a doctor in the war left him scared and that is why he drinks yet he sobers up and gets the job done time after time helping deliver the baby and stopping a bar fight.
Mr. Wayne starred in over 200 films in 50 years. For the most part his bread and butter was western films. Two of his most popular ones were Stagecoach and Red
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River. Stagecoach was the film we watched this past week and considered by some to be the one that launched John Wayne into super stardom as this gave the young actor a major role and let him shine. He also won an Oscar for True Grit.
III. The article makes sense how it talks about it being Wayne’s rise to fame in stagecoach since for the most part in class we discussed how John Ford was known for using unknown actors as well as has been and making them into star or relevant again. From when he first is introduced about a half hour into the film you could tell he was destined for stardom.
IV. In conclusion I could appreciate stagecoach for what it is and John Fords brilliance along with the discovery of the best western actor of all time the legendary John Wayne, but I must say I was disappointed. When I think of westerns I think of gun fights which this film rarely had as I recall only seeing one and that being towards the end of the film. Plus it didn’t seem all too clear to me at all. They didn’t make clear who was pregnant or even who had the kid till after it happened. I must admit the movie has lovable characters that we can all relate to. With Doc Boone being my favorite and Peacock who nobody even bothers to learn his name yet they are the two most influential characters to this film. Overall this has to be my least favorite movie we seen so far.
