Another Take On John Ford, Westerns, and Republicans

Michael Barone takes his turn at this issue. Barone brings Tocqueville, another remarkable observer of the American scene, into the "picture." Thanks to PowerLine for the link.

John Ford According To Victor Davis Hanson

Leave it to classicist Victor Davis Hanson to put John Ford, the master of the Western in cinema, in proper perspective. I think it's an admirable perspective and one that Ford would quietly admire. This is Hanson at his best writing in National Review Online.

Stagecoach

In 1999, I had the pleasure of standing with my family at John Ford Point in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona. By that time, they were already familiar with several of Ford's films; therefore, it was a treat to be with them honoring his contribution to American culture while overlooking the landscape he loved. Today marks the 70th anniversary of the release of Stagecoach, the first of many of his films set in Monument Valley. It is one of the most important films in American cinema history and provided John Wayne with his breakthrough to stardom portraying the Ringo Kid. Today, Leo Grin has a brief, enlightening post about this great film at National Review Online. Check it out here. If you have never watched the film - is that really possible? - please do so. You will not be disappointed. And finally, there is a nice panorama view of John Ford Point available here if you want to get a feeling of how majestic the place really is.