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Company of Heroes: My Life as an Actor in the John Ford Stock Company
When Harry Carey, Sr., died in 1947, director John Ford cast Carey's twenty-six-year-old son, Harry, Jr., in the role of The Abilene Kid in 3 Godfathers. Ford and the elder Carey had filmed an earlier version of the story, and Ford dedicated the Technicolor remake to his memory.Company of Heroes is the story of the making of that film, as well as the eight subsequent Ford classics. In it, Harry Carey, Jr., casts a remarkably observant eye on the process of filming Westerns by one of the true masters of the form. From She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and Wagonmaster to The Searchers and Cheyenne Autumn, he shows the care, tedium, challenge, and exhilaration of movie-making at its highest level. Carey's portrayal of John Ford at work is the most intimate ever written. He also gives us insightful and original portraits of the men and women who were part of Ford's vision of John Wayne, Richard Widmark, Henry Fonda, Maureen O'Hara, Ward Bond, Victor McLaglen, and Ben Johnson.Funny, insightful, and brutally honest, Company of Heroes is a rip-roaring good read that presents the remarkable life story of Harry Carey, Jr., and his many fine performances.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 22, 2014
Harry Carey Jr was a familiar figure to me when I was a lad back in the fifties and sixties. He was in many of my favorite movies, always as a supporting actor, never a "star". I laid out cash for his autobiography in the hope of gaining some insight to the movie industry back in the day.
Harry (or "Dobe", as he was nicknamed by his father) rubbed shoulders with many of the big names in the film industry, particularly John Ford and Ward Bond and, of course, Duke Wayne. He details the peculiarities of Ford in particular, outlining how one was always on guard with the unpredictable Ford, but throughout he maintains a respect for the director who provided him with much work throughout his career. In fact, Dobe passes up the chance to really dump on anyone and maintains a civil attitude toward just about everyone named in his book. I haven't decided if this is a strength or a weakness.
There is a casual tone to this author's writing, almost as if he was telling the tale over a couple of brews at a campfire. He gets things out of chronological order on occasion, and that can be disconcerting. He was in almost on the ground floor of the movie industry, both parents being actors, and his descriptions of the changes in the movie industry and associated locales is quite engrossing. I was saddened to learn that much of the western landscape that the cowboys of my youth galloped over has been paved over and subdivided until it is no longer recognizable.
As interesting as the book proved to be, I didn't come away feeling like I really knew the author. There was little of his personal and family life here for the reader, and I felt that he wrote in guarded terms in order to avoid dishing out too much dirt on the people he was involved with. No gossip, I guess I'm trying to say. And that is a form of loyalty. And that's a good thing.
Harry (or "Dobe", as he was nicknamed by his father) rubbed shoulders with many of the big names in the film industry, particularly John Ford and Ward Bond and, of course, Duke Wayne. He details the peculiarities of Ford in particular, outlining how one was always on guard with the unpredictable Ford, but throughout he maintains a respect for the director who provided him with much work throughout his career. In fact, Dobe passes up the chance to really dump on anyone and maintains a civil attitude toward just about everyone named in his book. I haven't decided if this is a strength or a weakness.
There is a casual tone to this author's writing, almost as if he was telling the tale over a couple of brews at a campfire. He gets things out of chronological order on occasion, and that can be disconcerting. He was in almost on the ground floor of the movie industry, both parents being actors, and his descriptions of the changes in the movie industry and associated locales is quite engrossing. I was saddened to learn that much of the western landscape that the cowboys of my youth galloped over has been paved over and subdivided until it is no longer recognizable.
As interesting as the book proved to be, I didn't come away feeling like I really knew the author. There was little of his personal and family life here for the reader, and I felt that he wrote in guarded terms in order to avoid dishing out too much dirt on the people he was involved with. No gossip, I guess I'm trying to say. And that is a form of loyalty. And that's a good thing.
January 8, 2018
Well as a real film buff, loving the old classics and the real films stars.
Great to read about some of my favourite films stars, and some of my favourite great westerns and the talented but tough director John Ford.
Although sometimes Harry Carey Jr does go into great detail about some of the films, maybe 10-20 pages on one scene in a film overall a great read.
The book really is about John Ford, one of the best ever western directors but a brutal, tough drinking, cigar smoking son of a bitch, sorry only way to explain him really.
He gave Harry Carey Jr a tough ride on many of his films, or Dobe as everyone called him.
But some great stories about the great films, great actors, Dobe's great friends and I think one of his closest friends Ben Johnson, they stayed friends for over 40 years.
Some of the great stars mentioned, John Wayne, Ward Bond, Victor McLaglen, James Stewart, Richard Widmark, Richard Boone, James Arness, Maureen O 'Hara, and so many more.
Although for a third book in a row. Harry Carey stops the story mainly in 1964, when he made he last film with John Ford.
A little about John Ford's health and how he visited him in his last years in the early 70's.
I guess mentions only the John Ford films that Harry Carey Jr appeared. But let's not forget this underrated great supporting actor.
He made over 145 films, appeared in loads of guest roles in all the classic western television series of the 50's and 60's, over 100.
Has a career from the early 40's to 1997. Lived to the ripe old age of 91 years old.
Married for over 60 years. I am sure he had some great memories.
Four Stars
Great to read about some of my favourite films stars, and some of my favourite great westerns and the talented but tough director John Ford.
Although sometimes Harry Carey Jr does go into great detail about some of the films, maybe 10-20 pages on one scene in a film overall a great read.
The book really is about John Ford, one of the best ever western directors but a brutal, tough drinking, cigar smoking son of a bitch, sorry only way to explain him really.
He gave Harry Carey Jr a tough ride on many of his films, or Dobe as everyone called him.
But some great stories about the great films, great actors, Dobe's great friends and I think one of his closest friends Ben Johnson, they stayed friends for over 40 years.
Some of the great stars mentioned, John Wayne, Ward Bond, Victor McLaglen, James Stewart, Richard Widmark, Richard Boone, James Arness, Maureen O 'Hara, and so many more.
Although for a third book in a row. Harry Carey stops the story mainly in 1964, when he made he last film with John Ford.
A little about John Ford's health and how he visited him in his last years in the early 70's.
I guess mentions only the John Ford films that Harry Carey Jr appeared. But let's not forget this underrated great supporting actor.
He made over 145 films, appeared in loads of guest roles in all the classic western television series of the 50's and 60's, over 100.
Has a career from the early 40's to 1997. Lived to the ripe old age of 91 years old.
Married for over 60 years. I am sure he had some great memories.
Four Stars
July 4, 2014
When John Ford died in 1973, I cried. I loved his films: Again and again, I pop my favorite titles in the DVD and watch them, marveling at how effortlessly Ford made everything look perfect. One of the actors in his "stock company" was Harry Carey Jr., who wrote an excellent book about his ten films with Ford entitled Company of Heroes: My Life as an Actor in the John Ford Stock Company.
The films covered were Three Godfathers (1948), She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), Wagonmaster (1950), Rio Grande (1950), The Long Gray Line (1955), Mister Roberts (1955), The Searchers (1956), Two Rode Together (1961>, Flashing Spikes (1962), and Cheyenne Autumn (1964). I cannot think of a list of ten films by any filmmaker who ever lived that are as great.
Carey's father, Harry Carey Sr., and his mother, Olive, started starring in Ford westerns beginning in 1917, and continued for a number of years through the silent era. Ford liked having familiar people working with him, and the son of his old star Harry Sr. came in for special attention -- not always of the most favorable kind. But Ford was that way, an old curmudgeon with a touch of brilliance.
I don't look at this as a typical actor autobiography, but as an ordered set of reminiscences of a relatively minor actor who spent a lot of time with the old man and who knew a lot about working with him through good and bad times.
If you like Ford's films, this is a good book to read; and I am indebted to Harry Carey Jr. for writing it.
The films covered were Three Godfathers (1948), She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), Wagonmaster (1950), Rio Grande (1950), The Long Gray Line (1955), Mister Roberts (1955), The Searchers (1956), Two Rode Together (1961>, Flashing Spikes (1962), and Cheyenne Autumn (1964). I cannot think of a list of ten films by any filmmaker who ever lived that are as great.
Carey's father, Harry Carey Sr., and his mother, Olive, started starring in Ford westerns beginning in 1917, and continued for a number of years through the silent era. Ford liked having familiar people working with him, and the son of his old star Harry Sr. came in for special attention -- not always of the most favorable kind. But Ford was that way, an old curmudgeon with a touch of brilliance.
I don't look at this as a typical actor autobiography, but as an ordered set of reminiscences of a relatively minor actor who spent a lot of time with the old man and who knew a lot about working with him through good and bad times.
If you like Ford's films, this is a good book to read; and I am indebted to Harry Carey Jr. for writing it.
March 21, 2014
I really enjoyed the book. It was very much like sitting in a chair and listening to Harry Carey Jr. tell stories. There was some gossip, but basically these were stories from a character actor about specific movies he made with a specific director. If you like to read about classic movies,actors, and/or Hollywood,you should enjoy this book.
May 4, 2014
Harry Carey Jr or Dobe as he was called (comes from his adobe colored hair) writes this recollection of the movies he made with John Ford. It's a very revealing history of Ford and all the actors who worked for him, John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda were the biggies but Carey's story spends more time on the little guys, the stuntmen, the extras, and all those actors with bit roles.I could rattle off names but unless you're a massive John Ford fan you wouldn't recognize most of them . There are chapters devoted to Three Godfathers, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Wagon Master, Rio Grande, The Searchers, and several others. Wonderful background. I want to rewatch those movies and watch for some of the bits he talked about. Alcoholism ran rampant among Ford and his actors. Carey managed to dry up when he was in his late 30's. But a lot of the others were not so lucky.
All in all a fascinating story.
All in all a fascinating story.
February 16, 2009
Wonderfully entertaining take on life making films with John Ford and John Wayne, etc. If you have any interest in Ford (and to my mind, you can't have interest in the development of film without at least a passing acquaintance with Ford -- Orson Welles once said when asked how he prepped for Citizen Kane, "John Ford, John Ford, John Ford"), this book is great fun. We get to see the humanity and the bullying, we see how John Wayne also played younger brother to Ford to the end and how certain actors (Richard Widmark comes to mind) had the will and force of personality to stand up to Ford. Good stuff.
April 6, 2025
9.8 for content, 9.5 for casual writing style. Written somewhat as a diary as an actor reflects on his films made with producer John Ford. Being a fan of old western movies and their actors, I thoroughly enjoyed the read and plan to rewatch each movie after rereading each movie’s detail. Many of the descriptions were of filming on location in the desert…and very different from how films are made today. A pleasure to read if you want to know the “human” side of how John Ford’s movies were made…and an easy read.
December 6, 2018
Pleasant book about many of my husband’s favorite movies and actors. Hardy Carey Jr loved John Ford and Ford kept him in films for a very long time. There are no startling revelations here about Ford and Wayne and their group. They enjoyed working together, drinking a bit, and playing poker. Along the way they made some very outstanding western movies. If you liked their films, you’ll enjoy the book.
March 31, 2019
Harry Carey Jr tells a good story, and this book reads as if he's reminiscing over a few (soft) drinks. [Which he may have been, since a lot of these celebrity memoirs are dictated and then finished by a ghostwriter.] I've seen most of the movies covered in the book, and reading the backstory makes me want to see them all. I'll appreciate the scenes a lot more now. If you enjoy movie history, John Ford, Westerns, or just like easy to read tales, pick up this book.
January 10, 2024
Any film lover is going to want to read this book, with character actor Harry Carey Jr. recalling his times making films with legendary director John Ford with that genius's penchant for going Jekyll and Hyde and vice versa during their many shoots. My only regret is that Carey Jr. didn't expand this out to a full autobiography, but at least he gave us this.
May 16, 2018
Great read about one of the finest and most enigmatic directors and a fascinating actor with whom he worked
John Ford's movies need no praise or critique. They speak for themselves. It was fun getting to know John Ford and Harry Carey Jr a little better. Great read.
John Ford's movies need no praise or critique. They speak for themselves. It was fun getting to know John Ford and Harry Carey Jr a little better. Great read.
December 21, 2019
Yes
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June 18, 2023
Great Movie Companion
Having watched many of the movies discussed in this book, I found it a fascinating read. The book is also good movie history,or memoir. The next time I watch these movies, I’ll certainly see them in a different light. Highly recommend.
Having watched many of the movies discussed in this book, I found it a fascinating read. The book is also good movie history,or memoir. The next time I watch these movies, I’ll certainly see them in a different light. Highly recommend.
January 29, 2025
Most enjoyable book. The author was in many of my favourite films, and tells stories of how they were made. The mood is that of tales around a campfire, and brought to mind so many of the events in those films. I may have to rewatch some of them now !
May 11, 2020
Loved it.
Read
January 3, 2021liked
May 21, 2025
Interesting Read
More a study of John Ford, but very interesting and some great insights into John Wayne, Ward Bond, and Ben Johnson.
More a study of John Ford, but very interesting and some great insights into John Wayne, Ward Bond, and Ben Johnson.
March 10, 2017
Overall I enjoyed the book. Lots of interesting inside stories from some famous John Ford movies. He seems to be an easy man to admire but very difficult to like, a very vindictive man. Carey lead an interesting life too. I seemed for him acting was a way of making a living rather than a passion. If the book had been a bit better written I would have given it four stars.
October 25, 2016
This is the second memoir I've read about the iconic Western filmmaker John Ford. The first was written by Ford's nephew, Dan, and called "Pappy: The Life of John Ford." That book, for a Ford buff, was a delicious reading experience--consolidating the general perception of Ford as brilliant, tough, erratic, and basically decent.
In his equally captivating memoir, Harry Carey, Jr. (1921-2012), a prolific actor who co-starred in many John Ford films, sees the great man through a darker lens.
"Company of Heroes" is Carey's life story. Born into Hollywood "Western royalty" (his dad was a silent-screen cowboy star and his mother a long-time film and TV actress), the younger Carey grew up on a ranch outside Los Angeles where he learned to ride a horse at about the same time he learned to walk. Frequent guests at the Carey ranch included humorist Will Rogers, Western artist Charles M. Russell, and a young filmmaker named John Ford.
Carey's first big break came after his World War II stint in the Navy when Ford gave the young actor a leading role in "3 Godfathers," with John Wayne. He went on to make eight more films with Ford, including the Western classics "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "Rio Grande," and "The Searchers."
Carey never achieved stardom, but he earned the respect of his colleagues and was rarely out of work. He ultimately appeared in more than 100 films and guest starred in dozens of TV shows, most of them Westerns.
Carey--called "Dobe" from infancy because of his adobe-brick-colored hair--is a first-rate storyteller with an affectionate memory, appealing humility, and steady supply of cracker-barrel wisdom. On the dark side, we learn that Ford would vacillate from princely generosity and loyalty to a level of cruelty bordering on sadism. He liked to "break in" actors like horses. More than once, young Carey was his victim, with soul-scarring results. Even John Wayne was not exempt from Ford's withering sarcasm. Yet, Carey came to love and admire the man who gave him the best film roles of his career.
Included are rich portraits of many actors in the "John Ford Stock Company," including Wayne, Ward Bond, Richard Widmark, Maureen O'Hara, Henry Fonda, Ben Johnson, and Victor McLaglen. Carey has a keen ear for capturing the distinctive voices of these individuals.
If you have a soft spot for old Hollywood--especially the Western scene--this one is for you.
It sure was for me.
In his equally captivating memoir, Harry Carey, Jr. (1921-2012), a prolific actor who co-starred in many John Ford films, sees the great man through a darker lens.
"Company of Heroes" is Carey's life story. Born into Hollywood "Western royalty" (his dad was a silent-screen cowboy star and his mother a long-time film and TV actress), the younger Carey grew up on a ranch outside Los Angeles where he learned to ride a horse at about the same time he learned to walk. Frequent guests at the Carey ranch included humorist Will Rogers, Western artist Charles M. Russell, and a young filmmaker named John Ford.
Carey's first big break came after his World War II stint in the Navy when Ford gave the young actor a leading role in "3 Godfathers," with John Wayne. He went on to make eight more films with Ford, including the Western classics "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "Rio Grande," and "The Searchers."
Carey never achieved stardom, but he earned the respect of his colleagues and was rarely out of work. He ultimately appeared in more than 100 films and guest starred in dozens of TV shows, most of them Westerns.
Carey--called "Dobe" from infancy because of his adobe-brick-colored hair--is a first-rate storyteller with an affectionate memory, appealing humility, and steady supply of cracker-barrel wisdom. On the dark side, we learn that Ford would vacillate from princely generosity and loyalty to a level of cruelty bordering on sadism. He liked to "break in" actors like horses. More than once, young Carey was his victim, with soul-scarring results. Even John Wayne was not exempt from Ford's withering sarcasm. Yet, Carey came to love and admire the man who gave him the best film roles of his career.
Included are rich portraits of many actors in the "John Ford Stock Company," including Wayne, Ward Bond, Richard Widmark, Maureen O'Hara, Henry Fonda, Ben Johnson, and Victor McLaglen. Carey has a keen ear for capturing the distinctive voices of these individuals.
If you have a soft spot for old Hollywood--especially the Western scene--this one is for you.
It sure was for me.
August 9, 2017
Harry Carey Jr. was one of the steadiest workers in John Ford's so-called "stock company," the group of Hollywood personnel Ford would call upon whenever he had a film to make. Ford was known for his mercurial temperament, appalling drinking, and amazing ability to pull together an award-winning film, while Harry Carey Jr. played roles in some 90 files, including Ford's The Searchers, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, and Rio Bravo.
In this book, Carey Jr. provides highly entertaining vignettes of the eight movies he made with John Ford. I was snickering out loud at times with the stories he told of working with John Wayne, Ward Bond, Ben Johnson and others in the Ford stock company.
Carey Jr. was more elusive on the tough issues. The cause of his father's feud, if that's the right word, with John Ford remained a mystery; perhaps that was never known to him. And for any one interested in John Ford, a key question would be what drove the director to be so sadistic to those who made him so successful. I do wish Carey's book - about men who not only made movies about legends, but actually WERE legends - was much longer. As with any story about John Ford and the actors around him, it leaves you wanting more.
In this book, Carey Jr. provides highly entertaining vignettes of the eight movies he made with John Ford. I was snickering out loud at times with the stories he told of working with John Wayne, Ward Bond, Ben Johnson and others in the Ford stock company.
Carey Jr. was more elusive on the tough issues. The cause of his father's feud, if that's the right word, with John Ford remained a mystery; perhaps that was never known to him. And for any one interested in John Ford, a key question would be what drove the director to be so sadistic to those who made him so successful. I do wish Carey's book - about men who not only made movies about legends, but actually WERE legends - was much longer. As with any story about John Ford and the actors around him, it leaves you wanting more.
January 15, 2015
Good for film buffs, especially those who enjoy Old Hollywood films. A behind-the-scenes look of what happened during the filming of many of the old-time westerns of the 40s, 50s, & 60's. Stories include the likes of John Ford, John Wayne, Ward Bond, Richard Boone, Richard Widmark, Maureen O'Hara, Joanne Dru, Olive Carey, Harry Carey, Sr., Yakima Cannutt, Mike Mazurki, etc. How people worked for John Ford I'll never understand, except to say they really needed a job.
March 16, 2016
Harry Carey great story teller.
Having the great pleasure of growing up in the hay day of westerns I found Carey's review a great and rewarding pleasure. I found it refreshing and honest. I don't think he pulled any punches regarding actors or any one else. I found it hard to put down even for sleep. I will re-read this over many times. It breaks my heart that the movie and tv actors are long gone with little or no hope for a decent old time western.
Having the great pleasure of growing up in the hay day of westerns I found Carey's review a great and rewarding pleasure. I found it refreshing and honest. I don't think he pulled any punches regarding actors or any one else. I found it hard to put down even for sleep. I will re-read this over many times. It breaks my heart that the movie and tv actors are long gone with little or no hope for a decent old time western.
February 25, 2014
A must-read for Ford and Wayne fans. This memoir of the John Ford Stock Company reads like Harry Carey Jr.'s sitting down and telling you a story. Carey's stream of consciousness is endearing although sometimes frustrating.
April 22, 2017
What a great read!
I couldn't put it down. Seriosly, I couldn't. It is too entertaining as well as educational.
I'm do glad Dobe Carey decided to write this book. He wonderfully conveys his love and occasional hate for this complicated film legend, all the while, Dobe Carey tells of his own life too.
If you like John Ford films, this is a must read.
I couldn't put it down. Seriosly, I couldn't. It is too entertaining as well as educational.
I'm do glad Dobe Carey decided to write this book. He wonderfully conveys his love and occasional hate for this complicated film legend, all the while, Dobe Carey tells of his own life too.
If you like John Ford films, this is a must read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews