Book Review: JOHN FORD AT WORK--Production Histories 1927-1939

 

I own a number of books concerning John Ford, and this one takes a different tack. Author Lea Jacobs uses official studio memoranda, early draft scripts, production histories, and personal correspondence to make a thorough and exhaustive analysis of how many of the films John Ford directed between 1927 and 1939 were put together. 

John Ford gave very few insights into his cinematic work, making some wonder if the great filmmaker just showed up on the set and made things up as he went along. Jacobs shows that despite Ford's individualistic nature, he worked alongside several producers, writers, technicians, and actors who helped bring his visions to the screen. 

The author doesn't just rely on the same old Ford anecdotes--she takes a deep, deep dive into the facts and figures of many of the movies the director made during the late silent--early sound period. There are multiple notes on every page of this volume, and Jacobs points out how Ford would adjust his style with each studio and cast & crew he worked with. 

Jacobs also examines several sequences from Ford's films, sometimes on a shot-by-shot basis. (This book is filled with dozens and dozens of screen grabs.) She even mentions how the development of various film stocks enabled Ford and his cinematographers to create more and more expressive visuals. 

Being a long-time Ford fan, what really got my attention in this book was the fact that the author put a spotlight on several of the director's films that have been barely touched upon by other Ford scholars--films such as THE BLACK WATCH, AIR MAIL, THE PRISONER OF SHARK ISLAND, and WEE WILLIE WINKIE (which is usually considered as just a Shirley Temple feature). Jacobs also devotes a chapter to Ford's collaborations with Will Rogers. 

Once Jacobs gets to 1939 is when a couple of Ford's greatest works are analyzed: STAGECOACH and YOUNG MR. LINCOLN. Despite the fame of these features the author points out plenty of details that even a Ford admirer wouldn't notice. 

The title of this book is very apt, since the author barely mentions Ford's personal life during the period that it covers. This volume truly is all about Ford's work. If you are expecting a pleasant, easy read, and a bunch of stories about Ford being an ornery grouch, this book isn't for you. 

From my perspective I found JOHN FORD AT WORK to be fascinating. There's plenty of "inside baseball" knowledge here--maybe too much for some--but I thought the incredible amount of detail provided gave one an in-depth and at times revelatory account of how one of the greatest directors in movie history navigated the many changes happening in Hollywood during the late silent and early sound period, while still making a series of great features. There are times when JOHN FORD AT WORK feels like a textbook, but if you are a classic film buff this shouldn't bother you. This is a John Ford book that actually does print the facts rather than the legends.