I have a deep yearning to see Ireland. I can’t explain why since my ancestry is not Irish. None of my relatives come from what I imagine to be the greenest, most glorious countryside. My mom never told me stories about the area as a child. I don’t know anyone born in Ireland, but this does not matter. I love any dance, costume, dialect, or film that gets its roots in this country. It is visceral to me because it makes no sense for an Ashkenazi Jew to dream of raising a pint in an Irish pub. Go figure.
All my life I have laughed and cried over Riverdance shows, Irish-themed plays, and if I meet someone who can speak with an Irish Brogue dialect, I am putty in their hands. I am attracted to people with playful, high-spirited, blunt communication methods. I adore red hair on a woman or a man. I even believe in leprechauns and fairy dust. I always think there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
I remember being introduced to THE QUIET MAN with my mom one night while we were watching old movies together. She told me that the character John Wayne, who portrayed Sean Thornton, reminded her of my dad because my dad was a man of few words and a former Harlem boxer. I didn’t see the connection then because my dad didn’t react like Sean does in the movie, but it made my mom happy, so I didn’t argue with her which was a miracle. Both of us were lost within our own fantasies and realities. Many lively moments cemented all sorts of churning emotions within, so much so that THE QUIET MAN enchants me every single time.
THE QUIET MAN awarded the Director, John Ford, his fourth Best Director golden statue. He wanted to work with John Wayne on this story for over a decade. They were great friends and then became pranksters and equal colleagues during filming. Wayne directed the horse racing sequence for Ford while he was sick, and the two of them lined the field with poop for Maureen O’Hara as Mary Kate while being dragged across the meadow by Sean. They all laughed and carried on to get the perfect take. The entire movie set was said to be fun and very family-oriented. This was due to Ford’s low-key directing style. In later years, O’Hara often mentioned it was her all-time favorite.
THE QUIET MAN was filmed on location in Ireland. The real deal was the stunning scenery, village, train station, church, pub, and houses. The lush green foliage was an added treat. It was the perfect publicity for this gorgeous land. It was supposed to depict the 1920s, and I bet the travel agents’ phones were ringing off their hooks. Because the cinematography made a huge impression on the Academy, the film won its second Oscar.
John Wayne wanted to create a different genre from his usual Westerns. This was the ideal choice. It included a comedy romance, plus the opportunity to have a slugfest and a steeple horse-chase entwined within an Irish take of Shakespeare’s TAMING OF THE SHREW. I am unsure what the chemistry was between Mary Kate and Sean, but it’s John Wayne. What more can you ask for? It was billed as a JW movie, and that’s what the public wanted to see. I’m just glad there were no “aw shucks” ad-libbed.
THE QUIET MAN is a nostalgic classic. Sean came looking for his roots. He was not expecting to find love, but our destinies often change in the blink of an eye. This is what makes our journeys so fascinating. I am not sure how this film will go over today’s world. Finding a quiet life anywhere on our planet is not easy. We must learn to treat each other far more gently and with respect. Perhaps women seeking their mates can be more open to other qualities rather than accepting a huge, knock-out, drunken brawl to express undying love and affection. At least, I hope so.
In the past, Ireland had a dowry attached to their love matches. It was their tradition and probably is still practiced in some small, quaint villages. It can give many young couples a boost in those early years together. THE QUIET MAN didn’t need all that fuss and bother, but a man quickly learns the importance of a happy wife. The writers were clever in their storytelling, and along with the breathtaking scenery, this film will be beloved by generations yet to come. No one is immune to the power and presence of the “Duke.”
THE QUIET MAN is available on TCM.
