tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post267886222366303329..comments2024-03-24T21:42:48.278-04:00Comments on Another Old Movie Blog: Drums Along the Mohawk - 1939Jacqueline T. Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-62119105653762930372011-06-26T18:53:41.332-04:002011-06-26T18:53:41.332-04:00Thank you, Andrew. I didn't know Ford didn...Thank you, Andrew. I didn't know Ford didn't really click with Colbert, so that's interesting. Edna Mae probably didn't need much help. She seems to be the kind of actress who takes the ball and runs with it. As for the Blue Black character, I suppose Ford's treatment was no different than other director's would be in that era. You're right that his sensibilities on that point did evolve. Thanks for stopping by, and welcome to the blog.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-77494529682847383382011-06-26T14:44:53.745-04:002011-06-26T14:44:53.745-04:00Jacqueline
I agree that Colbert seemed out of pla...Jacqueline<br /><br />I agree that Colbert seemed out of place in the movie. Apparently, Ford never really clicked with her, so he gave more scenes to Edna Mae Oliver, to the benefit of the audience. Thanks for pointing out that Ford could have done a better job fleshing out Blue Black's character. To be fair, Ford's views towards Indians did evolve and his later movies treated Indians much better, especially Cheyenne Autumn.<br /><br />Thanks for producing such an in-depth review.<br /><br />Andrew AllenHistory on Filmhttp://www.historyonfilm.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-85769502097704886552009-07-18T13:26:54.417-04:002009-07-18T13:26:54.417-04:00Thanks so much for the suggestion, Russ. I'll...Thanks so much for the suggestion, Russ. I'll look into it as soon as I can.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-85049322498134295992009-07-18T12:31:32.467-04:002009-07-18T12:31:32.467-04:00Jacqueline,
With over 300 quite diverse faculty ...Jacqueline,<br /><br />With over 300 quite diverse faculty - see www.apus.edu - perhaps you would consider online teaching in say English writing, history etc.<br />I enabled my g-mail, e-mail on profile should you wish to inquire.<br />V/R <br />RussRGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14615260562255985768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-35264272222401189292009-07-18T08:50:31.808-04:002009-07-18T08:50:31.808-04:00I missed Pirates Day? Dang! There's a fun pi...I missed Pirates Day? Dang! There's a fun pirate museum in Salem, by the way. Speaking of the colonial era in Florida, I'd love to visit St. Augustine sometime. So far I've only made one brief train stop there, but that doesn't count. Your courses sound fascinating.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-78464136742806648702009-07-17T22:57:08.477-04:002009-07-17T22:57:08.477-04:00You're welcome..forgive the typos..using two f...You're welcome..forgive the typos..using two fingers here..but fast...I added all your colonial and French and Indian War travel articles to the "Colonial Travels" folder for my students..living all over the country and world...quite a unique group..and expansive including "American Colonies"..not just traditional 13..but FL, NM, CA, TX<br />I've been at it as an adjunct 7 years, new classes every 8 or 16 weeks..(in the past not just Colonial History)...so, always looking for making history relevant, current, and fun etc...<br />Visited Gloucester Mass this past June.."they were having pirates day!"RGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14615260562255985768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-17439181059264076072009-07-17T17:38:25.519-04:002009-07-17T17:38:25.519-04:00RG, thank you so much for your kind words. I'...RG, thank you so much for your kind words. I'm overwhelmed, and deeply grateful. Certainly feel free to link to the piece on the Deerfield massacre. I'm gratified the American Public University might find it useful.<br /><br />Old movies are an interesting way to explore popular culture, something I'm sure you already know. It's especially fun for me to read the thoughts of others on these films.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-74688190693998733432009-07-17T16:31:11.119-04:002009-07-17T16:31:11.119-04:00Add to the above your outstanding reviews of The B...Add to the above your outstanding reviews of The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)and I Want You (1951)!RGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14615260562255985768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-87452581740963463682009-07-17T16:11:23.516-04:002009-07-17T16:11:23.516-04:00Jacqueline,
I stumbled across your blog today an...Jacqueline,<br /><br /> I stumbled across your blog today and the proceeded to read your reviews of three of my favorite films (amongst many) - Drums Along the Mohawk, Friendly Persuausion and a Town Like Alice.<br /><br /> I must say that you have a deft way of describing plot, assessing a film in terms of "message," director and actor/actress contributions (e.g. Edna May Oliver, Dorothy McGuire et. al.), memorable scenes, and historical events and awareness, all in an interwoven yet clear and penetrating fashion.<br /><br /> I searched further and found your article on the Deerfield massacre of 1704, and added it to my Colonial America course resources and readings I provide to adult learners online through American Public University. (Hope you don't mind)<br /><br /> I will be checking back from time to time as I enjoyed your eclectic tastes in film subject matter and reading the offereings of an accomplished writer.RGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14615260562255985768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-8620506415194748822009-07-16T19:16:02.679-04:002009-07-16T19:16:02.679-04:00Hi, MovieMan, thanks for commenting. I especially...Hi, MovieMan, thanks for commenting. I especially like your view that, "Ford, more than most other directors I can think of, creates worlds which you inhabit alongside the characters - the plot is only what happens while you're there."<br /><br />That's as good as assessment of Ford's work as any I've ever read. I don't know if Ford was as comfortable with the colonial period as he was with the Old West, but his effort was a good one here.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-56480591105297208812009-07-15T12:25:15.994-04:002009-07-15T12:25:15.994-04:00Nice review of a great movie. It has all of Ford&#...Nice review of a great movie. It has all of Ford's usual touches, but transposed to a somewhat unusual setting (time and place), which gives it an almost surreal quality, like a dream. Ford, more than most other directors I can think of, creates worlds which you inhabit alongside the characters - the plot is only what happens while you're there.Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-21795893432635907912009-07-07T19:17:04.563-04:002009-07-07T19:17:04.563-04:00I agree, it was nicely done. I hope I can see the...I agree, it was nicely done. I hope I can see the effect on stage sometime.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-26934317862270132642009-07-07T18:42:41.679-04:002009-07-07T18:42:41.679-04:00That famous painting tableau worked well in the fi...That famous painting tableau worked well in the film too, in fact they kind worked up to it thoughout the film with different poses at the end of each 'act'. Although the full effect is rather lost on the small screen, it was nicely done.panavia999https://www.blogger.com/profile/12022750065016664499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-60031811552348679552009-07-06T21:08:21.453-04:002009-07-06T21:08:21.453-04:00Thank you, Laura. If I see another hot dog or ham...Thank you, Laura. If I see another hot dog or hamburger, it'll be too soon. I ate like a very large man all weekend. In fact, I think I ate a very large man.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-62874930526944726112009-07-06T19:09:10.873-04:002009-07-06T19:09:10.873-04:00I'm so glad you enjoyed the fireworks photos -...I'm so glad you enjoyed the fireworks photos -- I know exactly what you mean. Seeing fireworks in that setting is always strongly evocative for me!<br /><br />I hope to watch/listen to the DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK commentary soon -- should be quite interesting.<br /><br />I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day celebration.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />LauraLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09626109831176745957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-10259675432418815852009-07-06T14:36:41.325-04:002009-07-06T14:36:41.325-04:00"1776" is a fun movie. I suspect the fi..."1776" is a fun movie. I suspect the film world wouldn't have tried it without it's former success on stage. (Still the era where Hollywood looked to the stage for film fodder, rather than vice versa as we have today.) I understand the final scene where the signers of the Declaration morphing into the famous (but historically inaccurate) painting of the event was a very dramatic and much lauded "special effect" on stage.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-60472830153376560382009-07-06T14:06:04.285-04:002009-07-06T14:06:04.285-04:00I watched "1776" this weekend on TCM. I ...I watched "1776" this weekend on TCM. I wouldn't have thought the events leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence would work in a musical play format but it did! Also, except for Bythe Danner, all the actors were from Broadway cast. Highly recommneded.panavia999https://www.blogger.com/profile/12022750065016664499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-8767753401081608152009-07-03T16:36:35.219-04:002009-07-03T16:36:35.219-04:00Hi, Laura, thanks for commenting. My latest viewi...Hi, Laura, thanks for commenting. My latest viewing was from TV; I'd love to know what interesting details are discussed in the commentary track. Happy Independence Day (by the way, I loved your Disneyland fireworks photos. Reminded me of the opening of The Wonderful World of Color on TV every week).Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-62450130720973156222009-07-03T14:22:03.170-04:002009-07-03T14:22:03.170-04:00I love this movie, Jacqueline! It was regularly s...I love this movie, Jacqueline! It was regularly shown on TV when I was young. It was a title my younger brother would watch too, because he liked the big battle at the fort. :) My father told me that he listened to the commentary track just a couple weeks ago and enjoyed it very much -- I'm looking forward to it. In the meantime, I enjoyed revisiting the movie through your eyes!<br /><br />Happy Independence Day!<br />Best wishes,<br />LauraLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09626109831176745957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-40430223576877460872009-07-02T19:06:15.722-04:002009-07-02T19:06:15.722-04:00Hi, Panavia999, thanks for stopping by. I hope yo...Hi, Panavia999, thanks for stopping by. I hope you do get a chance to see the movie. When you do, come back and let us know what you think.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-88929097473462300372009-07-02T18:39:08.977-04:002009-07-02T18:39:08.977-04:00Hello
One again, many thanks for your excellent co...Hello<br />One again, many thanks for your excellent commentary. I've been curious about this film for a long time but am not a Henry Fonda fan so kept putting it off - even though it's packed with many other character actors I admire. I will catch it next time it's on Fox Movie Channel (Friday, August 28, 6:00 am ET)panavia999https://www.blogger.com/profile/12022750065016664499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-91367138249737934172009-07-02T09:23:53.200-04:002009-07-02T09:23:53.200-04:00Hi, Moira. Thanks for commenting. I agree about ...Hi, Moira. Thanks for commenting. I agree about the warm saturated color cinematography. It is lovely. This sounds kind of funny, I suppose, but it's so comfortable to watch. The color work is so pleasing and easy on the eyes, giving the film a more natural look than many of the color films that would follow in the 1940s.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-75920644407290861442009-07-02T08:33:35.397-04:002009-07-02T08:33:35.397-04:00A fine evaluation of one of the sometimes overlook...A fine evaluation of one of the sometimes overlooked gems to come out of 1939, Jacqueline. I was just watching this the other day when I realized two things that I loved about it. The warmm saturated color cinematography and the beautifully composed images. This was thanks no doubt to John Ford, but also to Bert Glennon and Ray Rennahan for their exceptional work. <br /><br />It also seems to be, as you point out, one of Ford's movies where the character actors rule, bless 'em! This is a great choice of a film to see around July the 4th too. Thanks for reminding me of it.<br />-moiraMoira Finniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12626493736940699514noreply@blogger.com