Big Hollywood Visits Hillsdale College: The Films of 1939, Part III

[Ed. Note: Here are Part I and Part II of this series.]

I’ve seen John Ford’s Young Mr. Lincoln at least a dozen times, but screening it here at Hillsdale College made me see the film in an entirely new light.

In one of the most lyrical passages of the movie, Young Abe, played by the young Henry Fonda, studies a book of law and comes to a revelation:

“By jing, that’s all there is to it. Right and wrong.”

But his revelation is only complete when Ann Rutledge, Pauline Moore, appears on the scene.

John Ford was deeply rooted in Catholicism and Ann’s appearance has an almost divine quality.

We see only the briefest glimpse of their courtship. There’s an ellipses and abruptly Ann is dead.

Young Abe visits Ann’s grave where he carries on a conversation with her spirit. And then the grief-stricken Abe allows Ann to decide the direction of his life–and by implication the fate of the country.

The laws of man, Ford seems to be saying, can only be known when we recognize G-d.

Take a look at the clip:

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Dan Ford, John Ford’s grandson, an assistant director, production manager and producer who was active in live television for over 25 years, delivered a fine, unsentimental lecture.

The year 1939 was not only a great year for Hollywood, but that was the year in which John Ford established himself as the premier director in America with: Stagecoach, Young Mr. Lincoln, Drums Along the Mohawk, and The Grapes of Wrath.

Dan observes:

Without taking away from the magnitude of John’s accomplishment, it should be said that three of these films–Young Mr. Lincoln, Drums Along the Mohawk, and The Grapes of Wrath–were studio projects, films made on that marvelously efficient and immensely profitable assembly line called Twentieth Century Fox. The real story behind these three works is not so much John’s genius as an auteur director as his ability to work within the confines of the studio system and his volatile and sometimes quarrelsome relationship with Darryl Zanuck.

Dan Ford recognizes that Hollywood movies are a series of endless collaborations. But some collaborations yield more than others.

Dan Ford elaborates:

Judged by any standard, Zanuck was one of the most important figures in John Ford’s life. Zanuck steered him toward his greatest work, created an atmosphere that was supportive and creative, and brought the fine edge of discipline to his films. Perhaps more than any other man (and certainly more than John himself) he understood the kind of films that John was really good at. Yet, there was a considerable amount of tension in their relationship.

Zanuck insisted on a crisp pace and frequently recut Ford’s films, eliminating the slapstick humor and the broad sight gags of which Ford was so fond. Ford liked to dwell on little bits of business that slowed the pace of his films, while Zanuck, with bulldog tenacity, insisted on sticking to the storyline and maintaining a forward velocity.

Both men were stubborn and egocentric and their creative tensions yielded some of John Ford’s best work.

Dan Ford’s book, Pappy, The Life of John Ford, is a clear-eyed view of the life and work of his talented, cantankerous grandfather. Highly recommended.

When not screening great movies and listening to erudite lectures, I had the opportunity to explore Hillsdale College and its lovely, historic campus.

I spent at least fifteen minutes gazing at this Civil War memorial.

From the Hillsdale website:

A higher percentage of Hillsdale students enlisted during the Civil War than from any other western college. Of the more than 400 who fought for the Union, four won the Congressional Medal of Honor, three became generals and many more served as regimental commanders. Sixty gave their lives.

Joe Cella, one of the many generous and courteous staff members responsible for inviting Big Hollywood to Hillsdale, took me aside and asked if I’d like to shoot trap.

Turns out that Hillsdale, which already has an excellent athletics program, is also building a world-class outdoor firearms education facility.

At Hillsdale, students put the Second Amendment into practice.

From a prospectus prepared by Hillsdale College:

In the Constitution of the United States of America, the Founding Fathers set forth the rights and responsibilities of self-government. They knew, however, that future Americans would enjoy those freedoms only as long as they understood and defended their underlying principles. Many Americans today have forgotten–or worse, have never even learned–the high ideals behind the country’s founding. Fortunately, there remain educated citizens who are aware of the subtle threats to the self-determination that is the right of every American.

The beautifully crafted shotguns were donated by Beretta to Hillsdale College.

Hillsdale College is one of only four colleges or universities in this country that require each student to take a course on the Constitution. Hillsdale students examine the Federalist Papers, read the Declaration of Independence, and study the Constitution in the context of important historical events in U.S. history. They learn that the Amendments are mutually supporting, thereby making the Constitution a “whole document” rather than a “living document.” They discover the reasoning and perspectives of the men who ratified the Constitution, giving them a deep understanding of the founding.

Here is your faithful screenwriter observing the Hillsdale College range, getting ready to shoot trap for the very first time.

Hillsdale College received an estate gift for the establishment of a world-class outdoor firearms education facility. This project creates exciting new opportunities not only to host shooting events, but also to present seminars on the Constitution to participants. This is a singular opportunity to help young people discover, and concerned adults rediscover, their rights and responsibilities as free people. Hillsdale College faculty and guest lecturers, who are among the finest constitutional scholars in the country, will teach these seminars. This initiative will help shooters and concerned citizens to develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the philosophical and historical foundations of their country.

I’m using a Beretta 12 gauge shotgun. The clay flies at about 40 mph, and the range is approximately 50 yards. You can see the shell ejecting from the gun. Of about 20 shots, I only hit the clay three times. It is very difficult.

Movies and firearms. It’s a wonderful life.

Stay tuned for my next installment of, Hillsdale College: The Films of 1939.