In 1962, Gene Pitney released a song written by the incomparable duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It rose to number four on the Billboard charts. Everyone was humming or singing that tune. It was catchy and easy to move around on the dance floor. My friends and I had no idea what the lyrics were referencing. The film with the same title did not use Pitney’s version to introduce the public to the film. There were publishing rights problems that never got resolved in time for the premiere. It didn’t matter since the pop tune encouraged people to go to the movies and check it out. I was one of those people.
I was never a huge fan of westerns, especially one in black and white. Technicolor had been used in Hollywood for decades by this date. Still, Paramount was determined to cut costs wherever possible, even if the brilliant John Ford (STAGECOACH, THE GRAPES OF WRATH) was directing. It was to be Ford’s last black and white of his career and one of his most popular creations. I was pleasantly surprised. The stellar ensemble included big stars like Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin, Denver Pyle, Andy Devine, Edmond O’Brien, and John Carradine.
It was exhilarating sitting in a darkened theater, learning different ways to fight back against bullies, standing up for what is right, and all the while knowing the bad guy would eventually meet his fate. I enjoyed the tumultuous dilemma the townspeople faced while choosing which side of a moral or ethical issue to protest. It was filled with romance, unrequited love, shootouts, robberies, loss, teaching, lawyering, and a commitment to journalistic integrity. Amazing. I can see it all in my memories. It began over fifty years ago for me with a hit song. I can still sing THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE without missing a beat and with gusto.
THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE did not win any Oscars (It was nominated for Best Costumes). it was, however, a film that showcased Jimmy Stewart’s extraordinary acting abilities. It was his movie from start to finish, even though John Wayne stood beside him. There was talk that Stewart and Wayne were too old to play their roles, but again, the studio won with their casting choices. In the end, it was the right move since watching them perform was like being a student in a master class.
Ford adored working with Stewart, but not as much with Wayne. He constantly demanded more facial emotions displayed for the camera. As an added treat, the public was introduced to Wayne’s overuse of the word “pilgrim.” It was intentionally blurted out 26 times. It was pop culture in the making. Wayne, at the time of filming, already had terminal lung cancer, but he didn’t know he was that sick.
Lee Marvin proved to be the bad guy everyone loves to hate. He portrayed the perfect evil, violent villain. He could get away with anything on set because Ford adored the man. Marvin had total free rein and could come and go as he pleased.
Vera Miles was just another pretty face to Ford. Even though she wanted more direction, Ford was only interested in filming her in the best light. She received a few notes on her performance, yet she always spoke well of Ford in later interviews. It was a different time, and TMWSLV was a man’s movie made in a man’s world.
I was so impressed with the ethics of the newspaper business shown in the film. It should be taught in all journalism classes today. “When the legend becomes a fact, print the legend.” Today’s newspaper world could learn volumes. History just keeps on repeating itself.
THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE was a highly political, romantically charged classic. It depicted the last vestiges of the Old West for moviegoers to discover and dissect. It laid the foundation for more thought-provoking films about the 1880s, extending up to 1910. It shared what it meant to fight for statehood amidst terrible bickering and arguments. It pulled audiences into a love triangle with rippling effects. It demonstrated when it was time to let the next generation take up the fight just as Washington did in HAMILTON.
THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE was so much more than an old western movie. Just ask anyone who grew up as a teenager in the 60s. We will all shout out the truth about the man… the myth…and the legend.
THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE is available on TCM.
