Stagecoach

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

During the class lecture, one of the greatest directors in Hollywood during the 30s was introduced, John Ford. To be honest, when I found out that the film was a western I thought that I wasn’t going to like it. Coincidently, within the lecture, it was mentioned that during the time that Ford was releasing this film, westerns were “B” type movies and “out of style” so to speak. By the end of the screening, I felt completely different. What I appreciated most about the film that was discussed within the lecture were the themes woven in. The differences in social class are evident, and there is also a strong sense of sexual and social prejudice. As the film begins, it is shown that each character is of a different walk of life whether it is because of their profession, their social status in society or what society would deem them to be. There are characters who judge others not only by their appearance, but of what they may hear about them. Everyone just seems so set in their ways. I respected the very real way Ford allowed each character to grow in some way, shape, or form in exception of maybe characters like the banker. This idea graced the film until its end until it became somewhat of a character study/analysis.

2) Find a related article and summarize the content.  

“’Stagecoach’: The Classic Western Rolls into Hollywood” written by Alex Wainer seems to hit many different topics. Apart from commenting about the film and what it did for society at the time, Wainer went into some background regarding the time the film was being released (like discussed in class), recounted the films events briefly (speaking about the social prejudice between characters), and even touched on music and the techniques used by Ford when he filmed. Wainer noted that the musical score and Ford’s cinematography were some of “the most powerful of the tools in his collection” (par. 12). Surprisingly, I didn’t feel as though the article changed my thoughts about the film at all, but rather confirmed what I already felt and learned. Even though I am not personally fond of westerns, this film deserves to be honored in film history for the work that it has done. The film is one of the most celebrated, and Wainer seemed to speak very highly of it, which is what I would’ve done. This article simply introduces a piece of work, tells of its history, and then honors it. Dare I say, Wainer gave a toast to one of America’s greatest films.

***Link to article used***

Wainer, Alex. "'Stagecoach': The Classic Western Rolls into Hollywood."

Breakpoint. N.p., 06 Jan. 2014. Web. 19 Oct. 2015. <https://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/articles/entry/12/24215>.

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.  

As it was mentioned in class, Stagecoach seemed to be revered as the model film to mold American standards and norms by. Wainer points this idea out saying that Stagecoach created “a mythology of western expansion that framed how many Americans still think about who we are as a nation and a people” (par. 2). John Wayne was used as this American standard, and since this film, his role has been a resource by which the industry captures him and his actions as the ideal American standard. This idea still stands today. In addition, as previously stated, social prejudice is a very evident theme within the film as well. We see high-class society like Lucy and the banker in opposition to the doctor who drinks considerably and Dallas the prostitute. I have mentioned that characters were phased out because of superficial details that did not affect who they are as people at all. Lucy (the wife) seems cold, distant and rude, but by the end she is the one offering her hand to the prostitute of the town that she seemed to skip over before. It is all too funny how the tables can turn, and one never knows who they are going to end up needing. This moment is clearly marked in the film by the wife’s facial expression and moment of silence… subtle, but it works.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film.

Overall, this type “B” typical western described movie wasn’t so typical, and wasn’t so western. Changing the way westerns were treated during the time period, and long after, this film raised to success. While Wayne may have been known to star in other films, Stagecoach is what made him famous, and I am glad that Ford had the eye to want to cast him. It may seem like Stagecoach can only give so much, but this film is deeply vertical with what it can give and what it stands for. One idea that will always be steadfast years down the road is how this film was a driving metaphor for society. We see the law figure in the film basically breaking society’s laws to conform to the just ones they have made for themselves. This shows that even though there are set laws in society, they may not always be what is right and just for every individual and every situation. The text points out that John Ford “reinvents the western as an adult genre with complexity and depth” (Foster 165). However, there is one more facet that was not mentioned… and that is heart.

Foster, William R. "Hollywood and the Great Depression." Early Film History. Dubuque, IA:

Kendall Hunt Pub., 2009. 128-168. Print.

 

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.