Cavalry Trilogy: John Ford, John Wayne, and the Making of Three Classic Westerns

by Michael F Blake

Like other filmmakers in post-WWII Hollywood, John Ford (already a three-time Best Directing Oscar winner), longed for the freedom and independence to make his own films, away from the dictates of studio executives. Then, in 1946, Ford and producer Merian C. Cooper (King Kong) decided to form their own production company, Argosy Productions. But their first venture was a financial flop, burdening the new company with heavy debt.

Ford turned to the Western genre to help his flagging company, adapting James Warner Bellah’s short story, “Massacre.” Fort Apache, released in 1948, starring John Wayne, Henry Fonda and Shirley Temple, was popular at the box office and with film critics.

The following year, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, was released to a positive critical reception a brisk business at the box office. This film was the only one in the cavalry trilogy shot in Technicolor, going on to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

Rio Grande (1950), the final film in the triad, was produced by Republic Pictures (the first of a three-picture deal with Argosy Productions) and marked the first pairing of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Because of the film’s box office success, Republic Pictures greenlit Ford’s dream project, The Quiet Man (1952).

John Ford’s cavalry trilogy is considered some of his finest work, although Ford always claimed he never intended to make a trilogy. The reality is the first two films were produced to financially help his company, while the final one served as a means to getting his dream project produced.

The Cavalry Trilogy illuminates how each film was made, from pre-production to its theatrical release. Along the way, readers learn why Ford loved his favorite location (Monument Valley), how various stunts were achieved, and how Ford

used his unique style in various scenes (called a “Fordian touch” by film critics and scholars). In addition, each film includes an analysis of Ford’s scene construction and character development. Illustrated with numerous behind-the-scenes photographs, many which have never been published before, and screen captures from the cutting room floor, this book is the ultimate gift for John Ford fans and readers who love to discover the grit and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Genres: Nonfiction, Westerns, Film

377 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2024

Reviews

[James Koenig · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book chronicles the making of three John Ford western films, Fort Apache, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and Rio Grande. The author goes into extraordinary detail into how the movies were conceived, how the screenplay was finalized, and how Ford filmed each scene.

If the reader has not viewed the films, then the book will be confusing to say the least. I've watched all three movies several times and I still had difficulty recalling scenes that the author describes in great detail. At least 3/4th of the book is about how Ford filmed specific scenes from the three films.

I was hoping for more insight into the personalities and interactions of the cast members of these movies. But the author provides few such moments.

In my opinion, this is a book for true filmophiles rather than the casual reader. As a fan of John Ford's films, I found the book tedious. I wanted more personal stories rather than budget, script, and scene shooting details.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting behinds the scenes look at how a great director makes great movies. The money, the locations, the debt, the actors, the conflict, scripts and the props are just some of the things that are involved.
But it all begins and ends with John Ford and despite his genius, I wouldn't want to be "in the barrel" when he was in one of his moods. Just ask anyone from the "John Ford Stock Company."
A lot of discussion about stunts and how they are staged. It starts with a gifted "Iodine Squad", the stuntmen. Two of my favorites went on to success on TV in "Wagon Train', Frank McGrath and Terry Wilson. Another was Chuck "Bad Chuck" Roberson who was John Wayne's stunt double for over 30 years! Read the book if you want to know why John Ford called him "Bad Chuck." Stuntmen & horses...making things look real.
A must read for Western film buffs.

[Max Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite director of all time is John Ford, and “Fort Apache,” “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,” and “Rio Grande” are three of my favorite John Ford westerns. That said, this book is not for everyone. I enjoyed reading the background information that included biographical information on Ford, the original source material used for each movie, the changes made to the scripts, Ford’s casting decisions, his use of Monument Valley in the first two films not not the last, info on RKO and Argosy Pictures and even his issues getting the movies approved by the Hollywood censors. But the book also gets into minutiae over production costs, salaries, domestic and international box office receipts, contracts, etc., details that most readers (unless they’re really interested in the motion picture business) will find tedious. I found myself skipping over most of it.

[Jim Bogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very in-depth study of the three cavalry movies directed by John Ford. Anyone interested in the details of those movies - why they ere made, how they were made, where they were made, who starred in them and why - should read this book.
The author as a boy (his father was in show business) knew and revered Mr. Ford, but the book is not hagiographic, except perhaps in its reverence for Ford’s directing skills. Ford’s quirks and explosive temperament are fully covered.
This is a book you can pick up and put down, since each movie is in some ways a chapter to itself. But the whole is also very nicely done.

[John Schorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The three John Ford movies covered are essential to tracing the growth of Westerns, so a book about them is worthwhile. It is obvious the author had access to a lot of background information, and it sure seems like he tried to put every bit of it in the book. That means the narrative gets bogged down by recounting things like how much was spent on socks, and it is difficult to follow the descriptions of the plots, since the author blends several versions of the stories together. I'm still glad I read it, because it brings back memories of some great moments in these films, like the thunderstorm in She Wore A Yellow Ribbon.

[Derrick Jeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Blake claims that “At least thirteen of John Ford’s films are considered classics that still stand the test of time.” Three of those thirteen are the trilogy of cavalry films he made with John Wayne: Fort Apache (1948), She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), and Rio Grande (1950). A veteran of the film industry, Blake dives deep into each of these films—from scripts, stars, stunts, and scores—with insights on the creative genius of Ford. This volume belongs in every Ford, Wayne, and/or Western aficionados library.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apart from Hitchcock more books have been written about Ford that other director.I have read quite a few.He is a strange,complex rather dislikeable.He made some classic films.
The author has obviously done a considerable amount of research and wanted to put as much as possible in the book.I found the details of the production of the films very informative.However going through the script and itemising the changes made by Ford i found tiresome.

[Bob Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of John Wayne, John Ford, Western movies, or movie history, this book is a must-read. Michael Blake, with his unique style of writing, has masterfully woven together all the elements that went into the making of these three thrilling cavalry films, along with the intriguing backstory of how they came into being. 

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A behind the scenes look at three iconic western movies. Lots of detailed background information, insight into the actor's portrayals, and a bit of movie studio history. Almost a 3.5 rating but too many stories got repeated. Good book for any movie fan