He often offers his opinions and most candid thoughts at the least appropriate moments. Additionally, the director kept mocking Wayne for not enlisting in World War II, which made the star feel guilty in his later years. Ford had to accept those terms or not make the film.. A hilarious subplot within the episode finds Woody and Carlton "Lassie" Lassiter waking up snuggled up together, and left to wonder exactly what transpired between the two of them the night before. Also, he appeared in several episodes of the 1952-1954 television series Ramar of the Jungle, where he portrayed an African warrior. Your email address will not be published. The Black Stallion Returns (1983) The picture was about, oh, more than halfway finished. 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. Strode played as an End with the Rams in 1946, playing in 10 games that season. best of friends ever since they were children, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home: 10 Easter Eggs You Totally Missed. Michael Munns dangerous habit of mixing truth with exaggeration and fallacy calls his alleged interview with. Woody Strode was a Black Indian (his grandmother was Black Cherokee and his grandfather was Black Muscogee) and an outstanding athlete. Also Stewart even stayed up late much to director Premingers chagrin during Anatomy Of A Murder to play with Duke Ellington. Part African American and part Native American, Strodes first big break was in 1960s Spartacus, as the Ethiopian gladiator whose death sparks a rebellion. The Lion Hunters (1951) Once Upon A Time in the West (1968) The stated primary focus of the 1947 campaign was: to enroll as many people as possible in the fight against racial intolerance, bigotry, and discrimination.. link], Goal Dusta book that accurately presents Strodes words and thoughtshe never calls Jimmy Stewart a racist, neither does he relate any of the incidents about Jim described in Munns book. That year, he would head to Canada to work for Stu Hart in his Klondike Wrestling promotion in Calgary, Alberta (later renamed Stampede Wrestling), before returning to the US to work for his hometown NWA Los Angeles. Holmes. As an African American, the rumor was disturbing which is why I searched for the facts behind the rumor. Michael Munns integrity as a biographer has been questioned. Was Vera-Ellen Anorexic in White Christmas? The Cotton Club Encore (2019) Odie Henderson. ", NEXT:Psych 2: Lassie Come Home: 10 Easter Eggs You Totally Missed. While at UCLA, he met his future wife when the football team was playing the University of Hawaii in Honolulu Hawaiian princess Luukialunan Kalaeloa. He was not racist, and your essay more than demonstrates this. Request Permissions. Of course, their football rhythm had been broken up by World War II. He competed in track and field and played football as a tight-end at UCLA. Vigilante (1983) Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. He became part of Hollywood lore after meeting director John Ford and becoming a part of the Ford "family," appearing in four Ford motion pictures. Woodrow Wilson Woolwine "Woody" Strode (July 25, 1914 - December 31, 1994) born in Los Angeles, was a football and track star at UCLA, playing alongside Jackie Robinson on the Bruins squad. As James Stewart explained it, Woody Strode, the actor who was playing Wayne's character's best friend, was part of the scene. In 1992, he was honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club with wrestlings top award, the Iron Mike Mazurki Award. Even Munns publisher, Jeromy Robson of JR Books, admits to having seen only a few of Munns interview reference materials, and that for the most part, he must trust Munns good memory for dialogue as the only proof that any of these alleged interviews occurred. Released in 1960, when the U.S. was in the early stages of the Civil Rights Movement, the film confronted racial injustice head on. Thanks for reading David! 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. Before becoming one of the first big, black movie stars thanks in large part to legendary director John Fords faith in him Woody Strode was a star on the gridiron. His wrestling career? (A small role in 1941s Sundown marked his actual debut.) I was a big James Stewart fan until I read he was racist. In comparison, Ford had made combat documentaries for the Office of Strategic Services and had been wounded at the Battle of Midway, while Ranse star Stewart had been a bomber pilot who served with distinction. He wasnt just an athlete on a scholarship at UCLA, he was an academic. Spartacus (1960) Jimmy Stewart voiced his support for this goal in a 16 second radio campaign that played the week of February 16-23, 1947. Spartacus is probably Strodes most famous role as the warrior Kirk Douglas refuses to kill. No freeways. He majored in history and education. Unlike Robinson, however, neither played much. Katharine Hepburn & Woman of the Year, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas and Tarragon Tahini. Actually, I had been rassling in the off-season anyhow, Strode told the late, great Canadian newspaper columnist Jim Proudfoot. It was on the set of 1959s Pork Chop Hill, a Korean War film, that Strode met John Ford (though Ford was not the director; Lewis Milestone and star Gregory Peck shared the credit). Aka: Jungle Warriors Well researched! Jul 1: Money in the Bank He shared a story from the set of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Fords 1962 film about an attorney (Stewart) who, robbed and left for dead by a notorious outlaw, is saved by a rancher (Wayne) and has to start over from scratch. Woody Strode in Spartacus July 1952 found Barbara still impersonating a human ping pong ball as she bounced back - you guessed it - to the ever unreliable Mr Neal. The two became friends, and Ford later gave Wayne his breakthrough role in Stagecoach, the film that launched Wayne to Hollywood stardom. Hulk Hogan peaked with his first entry inRocky III, while Jesse The Body Ventura became a reliable sideman in films like PredatorandThe Running Man, as well as other wrestlers like Diamond Dallas Page, Edge, John Morrison, and many more. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. The spiritual leader of an oriental country is dying. Jungle Man-Eaters (1954) Thanks so much for your kind words, and for reading! But that's what makes him such a great character. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) May Mr. Stewart Rest In Peace. 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. If Michael Munns interview with Woody Strode did take place, its craftily presented, with Munns own words inserted in key places to suggest that Jimmy Stewart was a racist. La mala ordina (1972) Your email address will not be published. He wrestled for NWA Los Angeles and Stu Hart throughout the 1950s and even wrestled arguably the top draw in pro wrestling in the 1950s, Gorgeous George. Ive done everything but play an Anglo-Saxon. Warner Bros. wanted Sidney Poitier, but Ford pushed back, saying he wasnt tough enough to play Rutledge. Not many sports historians report, No one is more deserving than Frank Manchel, Emeritus Professor of English and Film at the University of Vermont, to be recognized by Film & History as a pioneer in film studies. Bill Fryes exact words to biographer Marc Elliot about Jim turning down Mockingbird were: He turned down To Kill a Mockingbird because he felt the racial thing was too controversialtoo liberal really, but he would never say it that way.. Strode was a black cavalry officer on trial for rape and murder, and during the court-martial his story is recounted in flashback. Actor: Spartacus. African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, Education - Historically Black Colleges (HBCU), Political Activists - Radicals and Marxists, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. TIMES STAFF WRITER. Afterwards, Lee Marvin remembered seeing both. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ), Wrestling was next on his resume. Im delighted that you took the time too elaborate on its origins. 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. Stewart was a political conservative and product of his time and had issues with racial advancement and equality. Washington and Strode? RELATED:Psych: Ranking The Main Characters By Intelligence. Michael Munns dangerous habit of mixing truth with exaggeration and fallacy calls his alleged interview with Woody Strode into question. You can unsubscribe at any time. The same year he broke into pro wrestling, he also got his start in Hollywood, making his debut in the 1941 filmSundown. With a bizarre range of habits and tendencies, Woody would be a lot to handle if he were either a real person, or the series' main character. Jimmy Stewart was not racist. It would be interesting to hear Janes thoughts. Tarzans Fight for Life (1958) Interesting to see that there are actually people out there who are hell-bent on believing that Jimmy was racist. My grandparents were not especially anti-Semitic, but admitted they would not support Jewish political candidates. debut in 1941 in Henry Hathaway' s Sundown. Williams has never addressed Kanters allegations, nor has he said that Jimmy mistreated him. It needed to be done. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. Watch Jim and Duke at the piano in the scene below: Sharing hotel, meals, and a piano jam session on and off film with Duke Ellington. According to Strode, John Ford then called the whole cast and crew over, and twisted the comment into something Jimmy Stewart never said.