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here is an archived version of an NPR Diane Rehm show, April 8 2014
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014- ... and-legend" target="_blank

Thanks for posting this. I've been looking forward to this book.

Scott is also on The Commentary Track podcast with Frank Thompson this week: http://www.thecommentarytrack.com/index.php?m=92&id=215

I'm reading the book right now. Considering I know didly about Wayne, really, and have never been a big fan of Westerns. This means I've not seen many of his landmark films, even The Searchers has escaped me. I'm enjoying it quite a bit. Eyman is a fine writer and I enjoy most of his books. I think he is being quite fair with Wayne. I've not hit the 1960s yet, so we'll see how the political stuff comes out.

I have to say, though, in reading this and Mark Harris's (EXCELLENT) Five Came Back, I really think John Ford was quite a nasty piece of work, unpleasant man, all around.

Rudyfan, I agree with your comment about Ford--whose graceful moments seem to have been mostly confined to film. While I have been lucky enough to have known some Hibernian brethren with a gift for great kindness and gentle dispositions in my life, I've always liked Cagney's comment: "There's one word that sums up Jack Ford and the Irish--MALICE!"

BTW...


Scott Eyman, author of the recently published John Wayne: The Life and Legend (Simon & Schuster) will be the guest at The Silver Screen Oasis on May 8th & 9th. All are welcome to participate in the online Q & A.

More about this event at the link below:
http://silverscreenoasis.com/oasis3/vie ... =90&t=6659

I am also enjoying this book right now, though Duke and I couldn't be farther apart politically. Didn't Cagney and Ford have a major dust-up over Mr. Roberts? This might explain some of his animosity toward Ford. Also, with all due respect, I could not really care less whether Ford was tough to get along with or not. The man was a poet and quite possibly the best American film director ever. I wonder if he could outdrink Shane MacGowan?

Bob Furem wrote:I am also enjoying this book right now, though Duke and I couldn't be farther apart politically. Didn't Cagney and Ford have a major dust-up over Mr. Roberts? This might explain some of his animosity toward Ford. Also, with all due respect, I could not really care less whether Ford was tough to get along with or not. The man was a poet and quite possibly the best American film director ever. I wonder if he could outdrink Shane MacGowan?

They 'tangled asses.' Look up the anecdote on google. Also Ford actually punched Fonda at one point, then left briefly for 'medical reasons,' which sounds suspiciously like he was forced off til everybody cooled off.

It doesn't detract from the enjoyment or appreciation of his films to be aware that he was one profoundly ornery douchebag of a person.