Three Bad Men: John Ford, John Wayne, Ward Bond

by Scott Allen Nollen

These were unique, complex, personal and professional relationships between master director John Ford and his two favorite actors, John Wayne and Ward Bond. The book provides a biography of each and a detailed exploration of Ford's work as it was intertwined with the lives and work of both Wayne and Bond (whose biography here is the first ever published). The book reveals fascinating accounts of ingenuity, creativity, toil, perseverance, bravery, debauchery, futility, abuse, masochism, mayhem, violence, warfare, open- and closed-mindedness, control and chaos, brilliance and stupidity, rationality and insanity, friendship and a testing of its limits, love and hate--all committed by a "half-genius, half-Irish" cinematic visionary and his two surrogate Three Bad Men.

407 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This worthwhile book on three remarkable figures in film history and their intimate relationship on and off screen is a mixed bag in some ways. Extremely chronological (meaning that the calendar and not literary transitional grace rules the writing), marred by typographical errors and misspellings of names, and made irritating by frequent ill-advised attempts at humor and whimsy, the book nevertheless gives the clearest picture yet of the famous working and carousing relationship of Hollywood's greatest director, its biggest star, and their bull-in-a-china-shop friend. Most of what is presented here about Wayne and Ford is familiar, and indeed author Nollen relies a bit too heavily on quotations from other works on Ford, particularly Joseph McBride's and Scott Eyeman's, and on actor Harry Carey Jr's book of reminiscences. But his inclusion of the colorful character actor Ward Bond as one corner of the triangle provides not only the first substantial biographical material on Bond but real insights into the personalities and lives of the more widely known (and written-about) Ford and Wayne. Nollen takes Ford's jokey penchant for occasionally showcasing Bond's rear end in various shots in his films and runs that little quirk into the ground, to the point that it seems that Nollen won't mention a film Bond was in without pointing out where the butt shots are. Enough, already. But Nollen also makes a very human figure out of Bond, who, like Wayne, was an extreme conservative (and thus an intriguing choice for a bosom buddy by the liberal Democrat Ford). Nollen doesn't pull punches about the extreme damage Bond (and to a lesser extent Wayne) caused to people's lives during the Commie-scare witch hunts of the mid-twentieth century, nor does he give short shrift to the ego and selfishness behind Bond's actions, yet by the time the book has concluded, Bond is a real human being whom one can love or hate but whom one now understands. Nollen is as unforgiving of Wayne's reluctance to serve in World War II as Ford himself was, and he's harder on Wayne than either of the other two. But his admiration for all three of his subjects is quite evident, and he has done a real service in surveying the lives of all three men in combination. As irritating as the typos and the frequent forays into drollery are, this is a valuable and very readable book.

[Frank Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always wanted to read a true biography of the excellent and versatile actor Ward Bond, not just the limited information found in other books about John Ford and/or John Wayne. This book delivers not only a full biography of all three men, but intertwines their lives and careers in great detail. Nollen does a fine job of separating the myth from the truth of the complex relationships between these men, much as Ford explored the layers of myth and legend in his films. There is ample documentation from earlier sources to support the author's conclusions, as well as new primary sources, including letters, telegrams, interviews, and many never before published photographs. The book is always readable and presents a fascinating account. Highly recommended.

[Richard Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked reading about the lives of three friends whose careers intertwined and kept them working together for roughly 30 years ... I knew that John Ford and John Wayne were big-time buddies, but was kind of surprised about the influence that Ward Bond had on the other two. I'd always thought of Bond to be an enjoyable supporting cast member, but now know he was a hard-working background actor, who came to prominence and stardom with his 'Wagon Train' television series. I guess I enjoyed reading about the man who still makes me smile whenever I catch him in movies and television ... Ward Bond.
Besides talent and a work ethic, the one thing the three men shared in common was a vice: Alcohol. They'd spend days getting plastered, almost to the point of being unable to work. John Wayne actually set Bond on fire when he wanted to get him up out of bed so they could go drinking more ... ! Ward Bond did quit drinking for a few years, after being hit by a car, but resumed his old ways toward the end of his life. He eventually died of a heart attack in his late fifties ... wish he could have stuck around for another 20-30 years, would have liked have seen what other work he could do ...
Before John Ford passed away, Wayne came to visit, and Ford asked ... "Do you miss Ward?" Of course Wayne's answer was 'yes' ... one of Ford's last thoughts was of his friend Ward Bond, an actor he liked to pick on while they were at the movie-set or location. Ford is interesting, Wayne is interesting, but it's hard to find anything good on Ward Bond. This would have been better if the author had just stuck to the facts without throwing in snarky remarks, thinking that all people who were interested in actors and entertainment would be leftist who agreed with him... but I'll give him credit for including Bond in this involved trio.

[Jake Biller · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative and entertaining read, this book chronicles 3 of golden age Hollywood’s most recognizable names from their professional infancy during the silent era, to stardom under the studio system, and ending with their respective deaths just as the “old way” of making pictures began to wane from the silver screen. The book’s chief issue derives from trying to equally chronicle the three men’s stories, both together and separately. This mission leads to some very slow pacing at times. Other detractors include some minor factual inaccuracies and some overly long citations. Recommend for fans and students of old Hollywood classics, but be ready to devote some time to the read.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a bit disappointed as I hoped this book would be an examination of the friendship and working relationship between the tree men. Instead it’s a loose history of each told in a series of anecdotes. The real strength of the book is the Ward Bond stories which create a network of associations with all of Golden Hollywood. Bond appeared in over 250 films.

[Dave Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a film biography of John Ford, Ward Bond, and John Wayne. From what Mr. Nollen included of their personal lives, the title is apt.

[Keith Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is long overdue. It is a complex study of the lives of three men that were woven together both on the set and personally. No holds are barred, but it is obvious that the author was extremely fond of all three. It is the very first biography of Ward Bond, a most highly underrated actor, and is true to his actual character.

There is a good bit of new information on the relationships and most of the films and TV shows of each are discussed in a type of timeline. It allows one to know what was going on in all three lives at the same time.

Many books have been written about John Ford and John Wayne. But, the two cannot possibly be understood without the "glue" that held them together....that was Ward Bond.

If you haven't read this book, you don't know much about Ford and Wayne.

It is highly detailed and not for the casual reader. I imagine it will be used as a textbook in some filmography courses.

Most of the pictures have never been seen before. And some of the anecdotes are first timers also.

Don't let the price scare you. McFarland Publishers puts out a paperback that will outlast a good many of the less expensive hardbacks.

Yep, this is one for your library. I am on my third read in less than a year. KP

[John Watt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lived most of my life loving John Wayne and have had a huge respect for John Ford. I certainly knew of Ward Bond, one of classic films work horse- everyone worked all the time back then even the major stars-character actors. My discovery of this book on the library shelf looked like just what I needed to while the last weeks of February away.
For me it turned into a tough read, the author did his research and this book is not lacking in information. I've read several Wayne biographies and one on Ford so most of what is in the book on them is ground I had already covered. I was more interested in the men themselves and this book covers more of their careers than I wanted to revisit.
This would be an excellent book for someone who wanted to learn about these Hollywood legends, their unique friendships and there personal and professional triumphs and struggles.

[Matthew Dambro · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author has done admirable research but ruins it with a progressive agenda. He constantly refers to the "reactionary" Bond and the "commie hating" Wayne. Ford is praised when he adheres to the leftist line but excoriated when he agrees with either of his friends. He follows the Garry Wills line of a racist, sexist, homophobic America that Wayne and Bond represented. It is a shame he squandered his research in such a predictable leftist tract. The subjects of the study would have been better served by a more balanced approach.

[Michael Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting attempt to weave a narrative out of the lives of three film making collaborators: director John Ford, star John Wayne and busy supporting actor Ward Bond. The lives of Ford and Wayne have been much told, but this is the first book I know of about Bond, and it is as a bio of Bond that this book works best. Much of is is fairly plodding, becoming almost an annotated list of the films of each person, it does bring the strange camaraderie of the three alive in fits and starts.

[Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://mikesfilmtalk.com/2013/05/09/t...

[Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://mikesfilmtalk.com/2013/05/09/t...