Spartacus (1960) Do you find this information helpful? Well written, thank you. A decorated football player at UCLA before joining teammate Kenny Washington in breaking the NFL's color barrier in 1946, Strode eventually drew the attention of . Woody Strode was 6-3 (190 cm) tall. Stewart was never rude to mehe was never rude to anyone. Strode was in City Beneath the Sea (1953) directed by Budd Boetticher, and The Royal African Rifles. Los tres desafos de Tarzn: Dirigido por Robert Day. Thanks again for reading, and thanks so much for commenting! Request Permissions. This story first appeared in the Nov. 3 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. A recently posed question casts a shadow on the otherwise pristine legacy of Jimmy Stewart. Strode played college football for the UCLA Bruins, the most integrated collegiate team in the nation in 1939, which included future NFL running back Kenny Washington and future Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Jackie Robinson. In fact, Woody was already calling someone on his cell phone: Shawn. 7 Women (1966) He wasnt just an athlete on a scholarship at UCLA, he was an academic. Two teammates at UCLA were Jackie Robinson and Kenny Washington. Woody Strode, the square-jawed, muscular former UCLA athlete who became a character actor with supporting roles in films for nearly a half century, has . There is no FBI agent in the 24 episodes of, In the dozens of interviews Hal Kanter gave about, Hal Williams also never called Jimmy Stewart a racist, or said that Jim mistreated him on. You can unsubscribe at any time. But that's what makes him such a great character. But in the early 1960s, it was Woody Strode who really broke the mold for professional wrestlers to appear in Hollywood films without just portraying pro wrestlers. Hal Kanter is our only primary source to say that Jimmy had an issue with the casting of Hal Williams. Strode, doing his part, is reported to have ridden a horse in the famed Royal York hotel. Released two years before To Kill a Mockingbird, Rutledge is one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to address racism frankly. In 1992, he was honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club with wrestlings top award, the Iron Mike Mazurki Award. In a gold-yielding town under a gang's reign of terror, an unusual alliance is forming -- between the townspeople, gunmen, and circus performers.1969 Spaghet. Apr 2: WWE WrestleMania It took skill to do that fight scene without actually hurting myself or hurting Douglas., Kirk Douglas faces off with Woody Strode in Spartacus, He left for Italy in 1969, frustrated with the lack of meaty roles as an African-American. Find on Wikipedia. During the episode, the main group of guys find themselves unable to remember what they did the night before, only to find themselves involved in a murder investigation. ), Wrestling was next on his resume. Strode appeared in several subsequent Ford films, though never in a starring capacity. As they were preparing to shoot, Ford came up to Stewart and asked, What do you think of Woodys costume?. But Stewart, an Oscar winner known for such timeless hits as The Philadelphia Story, Vertigo and Mr. To answer your question: Hal Kanter is the only primary source to say that Jimmy had issue with the casting of Hal Williams. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Cutting Her Down to Size? In director John Fords Sergeant Rutledge (1960), a western where he depicted a soldier on trial for two murders and the rape of a white woman, when Strode bared his chest to a white woman (actress Constance Towers), even the movie audiences gasped. In the interview, Marvin relates an incident where Jimmy Stewart actively opposed the racist behavior of another actor on set. Mar 5: AEW Revolution Building on two centuries' experience, Taylor & Francis has grown rapidlyover the last two decades to become a leading international academic publisher.The Group publishes over 800 journals and over 1,800 new books each year, coveringa wide variety of subject areas and incorporating the journal imprints of Routledge,Carfax, Spon Press, Psychology Press, Martin Dunitz, and Taylor & Francis.Taylor & Francis is fully committed to the publication and dissemination of scholarly information of the highest quality, and today this remains the primary goal. So glad that Mr. Stewart was not a racist. Thanks for reading Tracy! Star Spangled Rhythm (1942) Stewart was a political conservative and product of his time and had issues with racial advancement and equality. Was Vera-Ellen Anorexic in White Christmas? The Cotton Club (1984) His words, actions, and moral code prove the fallacy of any rumor to the contrary. Strode praised Ford in a 1960 interview. Also Stewart even stayed up late much to director Premingers chagrin during Anatomy Of A Murder to play with Duke Ellington. For nearly two decades he remained a pioneer against racism in the film and television industry. And he was dressed in blue overalls, a blue work shirt and boots. 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. But I could tell he preferred to be around Lee Marvin or [John] Wayne than me., Also in the Munn interview, Strode relates an incident in whichLiberty Valance director, John Ford, asked Jim what he thought of Woodys costume, which consisted of old overalls an equally old hat. Aka: Chuck Moll Period. 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. Woody Strode, the six-foot-four pioneering athlete turned movie star, was born in 1914, in South Central Los Angeles, to Black and Native American parents. Electric streetcars went everywhere. As a 70 year old black man who grew up watching and loving Jimmy Stewart i can only hope he wasnt a racist like so many Americans of his era ! Your email address will not be published. No freeways. Munn claims that he and Laurence Olivier were great friends, and that Olivier nicknamed him Eminem decades before rapper Marshall Mathers adopted the moniker. In 1946, Jimmy Stewart led a small group of stars who vocalized their support for brotherhood among all Americans. City Beneath the Sea (1953) 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 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. Your email address will not be published. Was Hal Williams ever contacted regarding the contriversy kanter mentioned? According to Strode, John Ford then called the whole cast and crew over, and twisted the comment into something Jimmy Stewart never said. Michael Munns books are unreliable. La collina degli stivali (1969) Strode appeared in at least 90 films, from Sunrise in 1941 to his last, The Quick and the Dead, released in 1995. The picture was about, oh, more than halfway finished. Theyre like father and son.. Id do that if I could. While at UCLA, he met his future wife when the football team was playing the University of Hawaii in Honolulu Hawaiian princess Luukialunan Kalaeloa. Never thought of them as brothers though. "I know Gus well." "Shawn." "Him too. 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. In this, the last interview Strode ever gave, he expresses only respect for Jimmy Stewart, calling Jim one of the screens greatest actors.. In the interview, Marvin relates an incident where Jimmy Stewart actively opposed the racist behavior of another actor on set. And according to the actor, Ford froze, then walked away. Saturday, 4th March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Posse (1993) Bride of the Gorilla (1951) Androcoles and the Lion (1952) NWA USA: Tag team main event is full of SVGS, SmackDown: Rhodes and Reigns lay WrestleMania goals, Mat Matters: Forecasting the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2023, Drago and Aero Star showcasing lucha libre abroad. Strode served in the Air Force from 1942 to 1946, including time in Guam and the Marianas where he unloaded bombs. Woody Strode, the football player turned actor who had supporting roles in John Wayne films and costume period epics such as "Spartacus" and "The Ten Commandments," has died at age 80. Strode also played the powerful gladiator who does battle with Kirk Douglas in Spartacus (1960)." Played . Jimmy Stewart was a remarkable man who loved all his fellowman. Just ask fans of the Calgary Stampeders. Of course, Robinson would go on to break major league baseballs colour barrier in 1947. 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. Tarzan and the Perils of Charity Jones (1967) He often offers his opinions and most candid thoughts at the least appropriate moments. Lee Marvin was impressed by Jimmys impassioned response: I liked Jimmy before that incident, but after it, I liked him a whole lot more.. An Interview with Woody Strode INTRODUCTION by Frank Manchei interview is with Woody Strode, called by JET magazine, "the Jackie Robinson of cinema." Strode made his film debut in 1941 in Henry Hathaway' s Sundown. 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. La mala ordina (1972) (A small role in 1941s Sundown marked his actual debut.) Whether that labels him a racist or not is irrelevant. American actor Woody Strode on the set of Sergeant Rutledge, directed by John Ford. As an actor, Strode is forever tied to John Ford (see our Pepper Martin biography for some stories that involve both Strode and Ford). By the late 1960s, he moved to Europe and became a regular in the Italian (Spaghetti) Western genre. I have watched his films since I was a teenager and hoped that this rumor was untrue. Under coach Les Lear, the young team made it to the Grey Cup, November 27, 1948, set to face the Ottawa Roughriders. He made more than sixty movies including his last film, The Quick and The Dead [1995]. Thank you for reading! For nearly two decades he remained a pioneer against racism in the film and television industry. 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. Despite his romance with Dinah Shore in the 1940s Stewart was also known to express some mildly anti-Semitic views during the counterculture movement. So this week, lets resolve to live in harmony with our fellow man.. Apr 16: Impact Rebellion John Ford wasnt afraid to explore bigotry in his films, but Sergeant Rutledge is a standout and the first big-budget Western to feature a black man as the hero played by Woody Strode. Katharine Hepburn & Woman of the Year, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas and Tarragon Tahini. To promote Brotherhood Week, Jimmy Stewart opened and closed a 3 minute trailer that played before feature films at theaters across the United States. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Munn says Frank Sinatra made him an honorary member of the Rat Pack after the two sang duets together for a laugh. Munn says he regrets turning down a marriage proposal from the beautiful Lynne Frederick, the tortured widow of Peter Sellers, and that Steve McQueen opened up to him on a secret four day motorcycle off-roading excursion. Then he asked someone to blow a whistle, which they did, and he called out, Everybody, would you please gather around? So they did. 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. They broke the NFLs modern colour barrier the year before, suiting up for the Los Angeles Rams. This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. Strode almost singlehandedly won the 1948 Grey Cup for the team. For Jims take on working with John Ford and the Uncle Remus incident, listen to his 1969 account below. Bit of a game changer." Though Woody usually means well, he's not always the . Pompey actor Woody Strode remembered that Ford "kept needling Duke about his failure to make it as a football player", comparing him to Strode who was a former NFL player. Tarzan is summoned to protect him and he must face three tests of strength. I want to thank you for your research into one of my favorite actors. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. According to the Munn interview, it took Woody Strode years to realize that it was John Fords cruel maneuverings, not anything Jimmy Stewart actually said, that created the tension Strode felt on the Liberty Valance set: I was too young at the time to realize Ford was using me to get at Stewart. But i am so glad to find out it was not true. The Pompey actor assessed: What a miserable film to make.. Hi Yolanda, it is such a disturbing rumor. Strode made a successful transition from sports hero to the movie screen, though Hollywood seemed more predisposed to his magnificent physique and gallant stride than his acting ability. Terrible rumors about Jimmy Stewarts beliefs have sprung from an interview that possibly never occurred. And really, that says everything someone needs to know about Woody. 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.". He was a good man deserving of the love and admiration that so many of us have for him. 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 . And yet, it's impossible to get enough of him, even when he crosses every line and oversteps every boundary. 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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. 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. Your email address will not be published. Additionally, the. And, as my article highlights, Hal Williams was not in fact fired from The Jimmy Stewart Show, and he does play a police officer in episode 6. One of the most memorable episodes ofPsych is "Last Night Gus," which allows the series to payhomage toThe Hangover. The Black Stallion Returns (1983) When Strode tried to help him, Duke knocked his co-star away. Though well into middle-age in films like Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) and The Deserter (1971), Strode still looks extraordinarily vital, fitter than most men half his age. 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. Scipione detto anche lafricano (1971) Pete Thodos would score shortly thereafter to seal a 12-7 Calgary win. On Fire (TV) (1987) 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. And he was dressed in blue overalls, a blue work shirt and boots. According to Woody, he's even less in control of himself, and all of his faculties, when tickling is involved. All the while, he continued to work in often uncredited roles in Hollywood films in minor roles, before landing the role of the King of Ethiopia in the 1956 film The Ten Commandments featuring Charleton Heston. Strode, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, died of lung cancer in Los Angeles in 1994 at the age of 80. Im so glad you found my article, and Im beyond happy to hear that you can enjoy Jimmys films once more. Thanks for clearing that up. He was a decathlete and football star who was one of the first Black American players in the National Football League in the postwar era. Kingdom of the Spiders (1977) Given his love of talking too much, and going entirely too in depth on the worst subjects, that's not a surprise at all. Ive done everything but play an Anglo-Saxon. Michael Munns integrity as a biographer has been questioned. Stewart said that he didnt like it. 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. debut in 1941 in Henry Hathaway' s Sundown. Unfortunately, anger at Jimmy Stewart is also the takeaway of less engaged readers of Michael Munns book. James Stewart Once Described What It Was Like Working with a Frequent John Wayne Collaborator, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5mcU74rHGM, James Stewart on what it was like to work with John Ford (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5mcU74rHGM). That never happens in a more hilarious manner than during a conversation with Henry Spencer about his sonwho Woody believes is Gus. Six decades later, the film continues to attract attention because it was one of the first mainstream films in the U.S. to treat racism frankly and to give a starring role to an African-American actor. Jungle Gents (1954) The Quick & The Dead (1995) That means everything, working with a man like that. Ford and Strode would also work together on Two Rode Together, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. He had a problem with a black guy doing that. > Books
A Los Angeles native, he excelled in athletics at UCLA in the late 1930s, where he was explosive as a decathlete as well as part of the college football team that also included Jackie Robinson he, Robinson, and future NFL starKenny Washington made up three of the four backfields and were dubbed the Gold Dust Gang by the press. Sergeant Rutledge (1960) He clearly was a conservative, but I can live with that. Cuibul salamandrelor (1976) > Career Records
The Gambler from Natchez (1954) Strode, 32 when he signed, never got a chance to prove himself and was released after one season. The Lion Hunters (1951) But as a key supporting player, Woody is absolutely perfect, and his many oddities are all the more welcome because of that. Tarzans Three Challenges (1963) The answer is no. Jim and Duke got to know each other during filming in Marquette County, Michigan, where the entire company stayed at the same hotel and shared meals. I find a lot of this evidence unconvincing. Though he was a conservative unlike his friend Henry Fonda who was a liberal and despised racism, I doubt if their life long friendship wouldve lasted if Fonda discovered he had racist views. Click here to subscribe. He majored in history and education. It is such a terrible rumor. Aka: Stick Em Up, Darlings Thats my take. Jul 1: Money in the Bank The leader's evil brother is plotting to prevent the youthful heir from assuming his rightful position. His wrestling career lasted until 1960, but by 1952, Strode had started getting movie parts. As Kanter recalled, Jim didnt like the idea of a black police officer lecturing him on television, and threatened to use his casting approval to get Hal Williams out of the show. The evidence proves that Jim was not racist. Its such a disheartening rumor, and Im so glad you did your own research and came across my article. Sergeant Rutledge is a 1960 American Technicolor Western film directed by John Ford and starring Jeffrey Hunter, Constance Towers, Woody Strode and Billie Burke. Strode was a black cavalry officer on trial for rape and murder, and during the court-martial his story is recounted in flashback. Excellent points Dennis, thanks for commenting! Michael Munns 2005 biography, Jimmy Stewart: The Truth Behind the Legend[aff. 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. 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. She has a passion for character-driven stories with dynamic but flawed leads, and a special weakness for all things 1980s. That doesnt sound like a racist! Stewart said: It looks a bit Uncle Remussy to me. This was a reference to the controversial fictional narrator of 19th century African-American folktales, who was later the main character in Disneys 1946 movie Song of the South a film that Disney does not make available today due to its racist stereotyping. I just started to do it full-time in 1951.. The Black Scholar He majored in history and education. I once played a part written for an Irish prize fighter. 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. Michael Munns integrity as a biographer has been questioned. Thanks for setting me straight. you have laid my thoughts about him to rest, and that he truly was a good, good man. African Treasure (1952) But Kanter says that Jimmy mixed up the roles: he explained to Jim that Hal Williams had not been cast as a police officer, but as an FBI agent in a different episode. Before judging Jimmy Stewarts character by the recollections of one man 25 years after an alleged conversation occurred, consider the facts that can be confirmed: Based on the facts that can be confirmed, Hal Kanters anecdote cannot be used as evidence that Jimmy Stewart was racist.