Speaking of Woody not being the most socially aware person in the world, look no further than his lack of understanding when it comes to chat speak as yet another example of that fact. While Bill Fryes comment cannot be used as evidence that Jimmy Stewart was uncomfortable with racial advancement and equality, theres abundant evidence that Jim was not racist. Warner Bros. wanted Sidney Poitier, but Ford pushed back, saying he wasnt tough enough to play Rutledge. The Professionals (1966) > Career Records
He's a baffling combination of crass and innocent, and all of his interactions with every member of the series' primary cast are always guaranteed to bring a laugh. Jimmys words and actions prove that he was not racist. The Harder They Fall, the Black Western in theaters now and on Netflix on Nov. 3, owes a tip of the Stetson to Woody Strode, one of the NFLs first Black players (he signed briefly with the Los Angeles Rams in 1946), who later found a niche playing strong, silent types in Westerns. Two Rode Together (1961) She's been living in a galaxy far, far away since she was 11 years old, though she makes the occasional stop in Themyscira, Hawkins, and Westeros - and she wouldn't have it any other way. Apr 2: WWE WrestleMania Shawn and Gus have been the best of friends ever since they were children, and maybe even since they were infants. Michael Munns integrity as a biographer has been questioned. The Black Stallion Returns (1983) Required fields are marked *. The Lion Hunters (1951) That never happens in a more hilarious manner than during a conversation with Henry Spencer about his sonwho Woody believes is Gus. But as a key supporting player, Woody is absolutely perfect, and his many oddities are all the more welcome because of that. Hi Pete, thanks for your comment. Thanks for setting me straight. And I looked at Duke Wayne, and he was beaming like a cat that had just eaten the mouse And Duke came over, and said, Well, welcome to the club. Woody Strode, Black Representation and John Ford's SERGEANT RUTLEDGE - YouTube John Ford wasn't afraid to explore bigotry in his films, but Sergeant Rutledge is a standout and the first. Born July 28, 1914, in Los Angeles, California, Woody Strode (Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode) was first of the star football athletes to become a successful film actor. More info, The cantankerous and eccentric John Ford had filmed other Westerns with John Wayne in colour from The Searchers to She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Due to the intense love and fandom ofPsych fans (known as Psych-os) all around the world,Psych has evolved from being a series to being a franchise that shows no sign of slowing down. Ford was so impressed with Strode, he gave him the starring role in 1960s Sergeant Rutledge, a Technicolor Western about a U.S. Cavalry sergeant falsely accused of raping a white woman and killing her father. Munn claims that he and Laurence Olivier were great friends, and that Olivier nicknamed him Eminem decades before rapper Marshall Mathers adopted the moniker. Tarzans Fight for Life (1958) Much in the same vein as Phil Dunphy ofModern Family failing to understand what "WTF" stands for, Woody apparently believes "TMI" means "Tell More Information." I wanted to set the record straight, for Jim and all of us who admire his remarkable work and life. Required fields are marked *. I was too young at the time to realize Ford was using me to get at Stewart. Regarding your claim that the FBI agent character was written out of The Jimmy Stewart Show after Stewart objected to NBC: in my extensive research on the subject, Ive never found any evidence to support this. If the interview did in fact occur, Munn quotes Strode as saying that, on the set of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Jimmy Stewart was too decent a person to be a hard-case racist, but that Strode believed Jim was uncomfortable around him. But then, towards the end of filming, the director asked the Ranse star what he made of Strodes costume for the beginning and the end of the film when their characters were portrayed as 25 years older. Pete Thodos would score shortly thereafter to seal a 12-7 Calgary win. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. Vigilante (1983) Spartacus (1991) Im so happy you came across my article. As they were preparing to shoot, Ford came up to Stewart and asked, "What do you think of Woody's costume?" Stewart said that he didn't like it. He and Kenny Washington integrated the National Football League (NFL), and Strode played for the Los Angeles Rams in 1946 before moving to the Canadian Football League in 1948. For nearly two decades he remained a pioneer against racism in the film and television industry. Ford was so impressed with Strode, he gave him the starring role in 1960's Sergeant Rutledge, a Technicolor Western about a U.S. Cavalry sergeant falsely accused of raping a white woman and . I do believe he love life and all Gods creations. Breakout (TV) (1970) However, while on a trip to London, he caught her in bed with a wealthy night club owner named Siegi Sessler and again the relationship almost foundered. Aka: We Are No Angels In 1946, Jimmy Stewart led a small group of stars who vocalized their support for brotherhood among all Americans. All I heard was Ford saying that Stewart didnt like Negroes, and that made me mad at Stewart, and Stewart was just even more uncomfortable around me.. Regarding your claim that Jimmy expressed mildly anti-Semitic views: Ive never found any evidence to support this, either. link], repeats The Jimmy Stewart Show casting misunderstanding, citing it as evidence of, in Munns own words, Jims racist spirit. Munn also claims that a 1976 interview he conducted with black actor Woody Strode, Jims co-star in 1962s The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, further proves that Jimmy Stewart was a racist. best of friends ever since they were children, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home: 10 Easter Eggs You Totally Missed. Thats my take. Another reliable source for Woody Strodes feelings towards Jimmy Stewart is a, If we are to take Michael Munns 1976 interview with Woody Strode as fact, then Munns alleged interview with. But one anecdote Kanter shared has since been used as evidence that Jimmy Stewart was racist. So glad that Mr. Stewart was not a racist. Woody Strode was born in California on July 25, 1914. Just ask fans of the Calgary Stampeders. Strode, 32 when he signed, never got a chance to prove himself and was released after one season. Also Stewart even stayed up late much to director Premingers chagrin during Anatomy Of A Murder to play with Duke Ellington. Michael Munns dangerous habit of mixing truth with exaggeration and fallacy calls his alleged interview with Woody Strode into question. Jimmy Stewart has deserved an article like this for a long time. This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. (1979) Strode, doing his part, is reported to have ridden a horse in the famed Royal York hotel. Though Woody usually means well, he's not always the most aware of what's going on in the world around him. We dont know why Jimmy turned down Mockingbird. Woody Strode weighed 205 lbs (92 kg) when playing. Angkor: Cambodia Express (1982) The Cotton Club Encore (2019) Odie Henderson. Im glad you made it.. Born in Los Angeles on July 28, 1914, with his mother a full-blooded Blackfoot, Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode grew into a solid 6-foot-4-1/2, 220-pound stud. Sergeant Rutledge (1960) Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Mar 5: AEW Revolution Then he asked someone to blow a whistle, which they did, and he called out, Everybody, would you please gather around? So they did. American Brotherhood Week, sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, was meant to encourage not just religious tolerance, but acceptance and equality for all races and nationalities. Born July 28, 1914, in Los Angeles, California, Woody Strode (Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode) was first of the star football athletes to become a successful film actor. I can go back to my original thought, that he wasnt racist. Cuibul salamandrelor (1976) Stewart was never rude to mehe was never rude to anyone. I find a lot of this evidence unconvincing. But Woody's own behaviors raise plenty of questions about his intentions, including his admission that he's "been playing with dead things since [he] was a toddler.". My grandparents were not especially anti-Semitic, but admitted they would not support Jewish political candidates. A recently posed question casts a shadow on the otherwise pristine legacy of. Decathlete who also played football professionally in the CFL, and enjoyed a successful acting career. Storyville (1992) The Man Who Made The Stars Shine Brighter: An Interview with Woody Strode. (He never forgot Calgary, however, and returned to the city in 1986 to aid fundraising for the financially-ailing team. After being cut by the Rams after just a season, Strode headed north to Canada, where he suited up for the Calgary Stampeders. Every old Hollywood fan should read this. Strode also had a brief career as a professional gridiron football player and was among the first African . I can find no evidence to suggest that Jimmys support of Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential election was based on Goldwaters civil rights voting record. The Buccaneer (1958) However, cinematographer William H Clothier later said: There was one reason and one reason only Paramount was cutting costs. After livestock belonging to Rack's friend Walter Colby (Woody Strode, The Italian connection. At MGM there was a separate entrance and lunchroom for the black laborers and maids. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) After World War II Woody and Kenny Washington became the first blacks to play in the NFL. He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. And, as my article highlights, Hal Williams was not fired from The Jimmy Stewart Show. If Jim had an issue with casting a black actor, why was Williams not fired? Aka: Boot Hill And Duke came up to me one day and said, Hows it come that youve gone through this whole thing and youve never been at the bottom of the list? Cowboysan (1977) Strode is perhaps best remembered as the stoic slave gladiator in Spartacus (1960) who tells Kirk Douglas: I dont want to be your friend. Im delighted to put the rumors about him to rest. Sharing hotel, meals, and a piano jam session on and off film with Duke Ellington. But it still doesn't make a whole lot of sense for him to make his first logical leap either. 10 Witty Buddy Comedies To Watch If You Love 'Psych', Psych: Ranking The Main Characters By Intelligence. Jim spoke of his Hollywood career in a series of interviews with journalist James Bawden between 1971 and 1983 [aff. I refer you back to my section on The Jimmy Stewart Show for the facts behind the casting of Hal Williams. Woody Strode's extraordinary career led him from football field to wrestling ring to Hollywood. It is such a terrible rumor. Was Vera-Ellen Anorexic in White Christmas? And according to the actor, Ford froze, then walked away. Thanks to the passionate insistence of director Otto Preminger, the controversial scene stayed in the film [aff. "I was lucky enough this time to have John Ford as my director. The picture was about, oh, more than halfway finished. But after reading your entire article I know Mr. Stewart was a decent human being and my admiration for him has grown after reading your article. As already mentioned, Woody has a real hard time knowing when to keep from over sharing. End of story. ", NEXT:Psych 2: Lassie Come Home: 10 Easter Eggs You Totally Missed. It was his enduring appeal in Western films that lead to him being immortalized in tribute by Pixar films the Tom Hanks voiced cowboy toy Woody in theToy Storyseries was named Woody after Woody Strode. Thanks for reading, Luke. His own words and actions, and the words of those who knew him, prove that Jimmy Stewart was not racist. Ford proceeded to announce to the entire company that: One of the actors here doesnt like Uncle Remus. Kanters interview includes his overwhelmingly positive insights on both Jim and working on The Jimmy Stewart Show (1971-1972). Thanks for your kind words, and for reading Damon! Pork Chop Hill (1959) Well researched! Id do that if I could. It changed my outlook on many other things and renewed my faith in mankind, thank you. Strode appeared in at least 90 films, from Sunrise in 1941 to his last, The Quick and the Dead, released in 1995. Jimmy Stewart voiced his support for this goal in a 16 second radio campaign that played the week of February 16-23, 1947. We both gotta be professionals. Scipione detto anche lafricano (1971) "I know Gus well." "Shawn." "Him too. No smog because few people could afford cars in those days. But I gradually learned L.A. was heavily segregated. In response, Ford said: Whats wrong with Uncle Remus? The director then called the crews attention and shouted: One of ourplayersdoesn't like Woody's costume. Bride of the Gorilla (1951) Thank you for more information for understanding. Jim was a good man through and through. Shalako (1968) Or taken out of the script altogether. In 1992, he was honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club with wrestlings top award, the Iron Mike Mazurki Award. Thanks for reading Tracy! Also, he appeared in several episodes of the 1952-1954 television series Ramar of the Jungle, where he portrayed an African warrior. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. At one point in their conversations, Jim shared that his 1934 arrival in Los Angeles was marred only by the obvious mistreatment of the black community. Lust in the Dust (1985) To promote Brotherhood Week, Jimmy Stewart opened and closed a 3 minute trailer that played before feature films at theaters across the United States. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Jims daughter, Kelly Stewart Harcourt, also knew her father was not racist: There were not a lot of black people in Dads life, but he was not a racist.. THRs review of Sergeant Rutledge on April 8, 1960, Stephanie Hsu Hopes Breakthrough Indie Spirit Award Will Protect That Freak Flag, Roald Dahl Publisher Bends to Controversy, Will Release Classic Version of Controversial Kids Books, Andrea Riseborough: Oscars Most Talked-About Nominee Breaks Her Silence, Film Independent Spirit Awards: Winners List (Updating Live), Spirit Awards: Everything Everywhere All at Once Starts With a Bang, The Bear Wins First TV Award, Spirit Awards: Ke Huy Quan Thanks His Everything Everywhere All at Once Family in Best Supporting Performance Acceptance Speech, Spirit Awards: Hasan Minhaj Pokes Fun at IFC for Not Broadcasting Ceremony, How to Watch the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards Livestream, Star Hairstylist Jen Atkin Reveals Must-Have Hair Tools, Tutorials and Pro Tips In New MasterClass, Rihannas Puma x Fenty Is Coming Back Heres Where You Can Still Buy Those Cult-Fave Creepers, The Best Bridesmaid Dresses for Every Budget, From Under-$100 Gowns to Hollywood-Inspired Classics, BTS Army: Heres When and Where Legos Dynamite-Inspired Set Arrives Online and In Stores, The Big Lebowski Turns 25: People Didnt Get It, Jeff Bridges Recalls, How the Landscape of Native-Led Stories Has Changed Between Avatars: Were Flexing Our Sovereignty, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. Weve dissected the fallacies behind the rumor that Jimmy Stewart was a racist. 1936 Strode posed for one of two paintings commissioned by Adolf Hitler for the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Katharine Hepburn & Woman of the Year, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas and Tarragon Tahini. According to Woody, he's even less in control of himself, and all of his faculties, when tickling is involved. I am an African American woman who had stopped watching his films when I heard about his overt racism. Strode worked in B-movies through the '70s and '80s and acted as the narrator for Mario Van Peebles' Black. In the Grey Cup game, Strode grabbed a misplayed lateral pass by Ottawa quarterback Peter Karpuk off the ground, and lumbered almost to the end zone. > Video
from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. Strode continued acting for decades his final film was as Charlie Moonlight in the 1995 film,The Quick and the Deadthat also featured Leonardo Di Caprio, Sharon Stone, and Gene Hackman sadly, Strode passed away from lung cancer in late 1994 before the film was released and the film was dedicated to him upon release. Jimmy Stewart worked with several black actors and entertainers throughout his career, including Hal Williams, Woody Strode, Lillian Randolph, Jim hit it off particularly well with Duke Ellington during filming of 1959s. Reviews. All Rights Reserved. In its pages African American studies intellectuals, community activists, and national and international political leaders come to grips with basic issues confronting black America and Africa. Founded in 1969 and hailed by The New York Times as a journal in which the writings of many of todays finest black thinkers may be viewed, THE BLACK SCHOLAR has firmly established itself as the leading journal of black cultural and political thought in the United States and remains under the editorship of Robert Chrisman, Editor-In-Chief, Robert Allen, Senior Editor, and Maize Woodford, Executive Editor. Thanks again for reading Brice, and for your kind comment! You can unsubscribe at any time. Your email address will not be published. He majored in history and education. During the interview, when we are alone, Strode is relaxed and easy to talk with almost as if he had discovered a long lost relative and was eager to reconstruct the past. Yet it was this famous athleteturned-actor who, with the great running back Kenny Washington, overcame the segregation hurdle in professional football when they signed with the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League in 1946. And yet, it's impossible to get enough of him, even when he crosses every line and oversteps every boundary. Strode was a gladiator in Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954) and was in Jungle Man-Eaters (1954), a Jungle . Jimmy Stewart was not racist. His wrestling career? link]. As they were preparing to shoot, Ford came up to Stewart and asked, What do you think of Woodys costume?. For Jimmy Stewart, Duke Ellington was responsible for the best part of each evening: [Duke] played for us in the dining room at night, until ten, eleven, which was great fun for us.. I am so glad that I read this article. In this, the last interview Strode ever gave, he expresses only respect for Jimmy Stewart, calling Jim one of the screens greatest actors.. And he said loudly, We have an actor here who objects to the costume on Woody Strode. He then proceeded to suggest that Stewart was prejudiced Strode, who also has since died, was African-American and added that he just wanted to share Stewarts objection to Strodes costume with the whole cast. This man was the definition of a renaissance man, keep reading this article and you will understand exactly why. What is it whats the idea? And I said, I dont know!, And I didnt know, Stewart added. The same year he broke into pro wrestling, he also got his start in Hollywood, making his debut in the 1941 filmSundown. Aka: The Devils Backbone The fame he had built through football and movies helped open up wrestling as well, and Strode wrestled white grapplers in Texas in the early 50s. Im glad that it clears up that rumor about him. Actually, I had been rassling in the off-season anyhow, Strode told the late, great Canadian newspaper columnist Jim Proudfoot. Every day, someone was at the bottom of the list in the barrel, as you say, Stewart said of Fords tendency to take his frustrations out on his underlings. Thank you for bringing the evidence together. Strode was a college track and football star at UCLA, one of the first Blacks to integrate the NFL, a professional wrestler, a Golden Globe nominated actor, and a WWII veteran. Terrible rumors about Jimmy Stewarts beliefs have sprung from an interview that possibly never occurred. Next James Bond: Tom Hardy leapfrogged by 007 outsider, Robert Shaw Harrison Ford fury on Force 10 From Navarone 'total bull', John Wayne was really p***ed off: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance was miserable shoot, John Wayne was constantly mocked by John Ford and even Jimmy Stewart was attacked too, Rio Bravo: Angie Dickinson on cute John Wayne being so different', Pompey star Woody Strode on John Wayne's left, John Wayne felt he couldn't hit back at John Ford since the director made him a star, John Wayne: The Searchers set revelation that saw John Ford speechless, How the West Was Won: Idiot drunk producer, near-death and more, John Wayne: Why Elvis turned down Dukes offer to co-star in Western, John Wayne: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon set feud that led to best scene, John Waynes final movie was NOT The Shootist Duke was in Star Wars, John Wayne never learnt his lesson over Hollywood roles. The Ten Commandments (1956) In 1941, he began working as a professional wrestler, and in 1946, he and Washington became the first two African-American football players to play in the NFL, when they signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Hal Kanter is our only primary source on the alleged conversation. La collina degli stivali (1969) Working with quarterback Keith Spaith, he excelled as a receiver, and did double duty on the defensive side as an end as the Stamps compiled an unbeaten record. Its such a disheartening rumor thats unfortunately made its way across the internet. Her brother Peter said that Jimmy Stewart was not racist. Thankfully, the show never subjected Woody - or viewers - to that possibility. If Jim would never say it that way, then Bill Frye should not say it that way for him. He would retire from pro football after that first season.