John Ford punched Henry Fonda in the face on the set of this war drama

John Ford is the ultimate paradox of a human being. Ford, arguably the best American director in history, was not just a filmmaker. He symbolized America with all its beauties and deep-seated flaws. Ford’s films are unashamedly sentimental, picturesque and poetic, but you would never expect that if you had ever read or seen an interview with him. He overcompensates for his heart and vulnerability on screen, Ford was taciturn with the press and constantly chewed on a handkerchief while rejecting any notion of being an “artist.” while on set he was moody and argumentative. His tough attitude often resulted in verbal and physical abuse, the worst of which occurred when Ford slapped his friend and prolific collaborator, Henry Fondain the face on the set of Mr RobertsAfter that moment, Ford’s career as a filmmaker went on to develop tremendously, but he lost a friend forever.

John Ford’s inscrutable ways and paradoxical behavior

As an Irish immigrant living in Portland, Maine, John Ford hardly imagined a career in the arts. Not long after he followed his brother, Francis FordAfter Hollywood, he became a prolific director of Westerns. By the 1950s, he had made over 100 films, including groundbreaking classics such as Stagecoach, Grapes of WrathAnd My dear ClementineFord was one of Hollywood’s leading visionaries. But because of his Irish heritage and his combat experience in the Navy during World War II, he seemed to be trained not to show any emotions. Reflecting on his life, Fonda noted that Ford was “full of bullshit, but it was a delightful kind of bullshit” due to his “tough guy” attitude. His existence is a labyrinth in itself, with hundreds of books, documentaries and podcasts attempting to solve the Ford enigma. Most cryptic of all is the question of how someone as tyrannical and gruff as Ford could have such a gentle hand behind the camera?

Mr Robertsa successful Broadway play based on Thomas Heggen The novel of the same name was adapted for the screen by John Ford in 1955. Henry Fonda, the star of the stage play, returned in the title role, along with an all-star cast, including James Cagney, Jack Lemmon (who won an Oscar for his performance) and William PowellThe serious yet comic film is about Lieutenant Doug Roberts, who wants to escape the daily life as a cargo carrier in the Pacific and fight in World War II. His request for a transfer is rejected by his strict superior Captain Morton (Cagney), who demands that his crew take on difficult tasks. The Tony Award-winning play translated seamlessly to the screen and was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. But it was the chaos behind the scenes that made the most gripping drama of all.

The partnership between Henry Fonda and John Ford reached its peak in “Mister Roberts”

As detailed in Joseph McBrides definitive biography of the director, In Search of John FordThe The studio was hesitant to cast Henry Fonda in the title role because he was too old and because he had withdrawn from film for a long time due to his time on Broadway. Fonda, together with John Waynewas Ford’s avatar in Young Mr. Lincoln, Grapes of WrathAnd My dear Clementineand he demanded that Fonda reprise his role as Lt. Roberts. This would be Ford’s final act of kindness and generosity toward Fonda, who was the recipient of the director’s most hurtful outburst of anger. The open Ford was not afraid to insult or yell at anyoneincluding the all-powerful Duke, whom he once called an “idiot” and even criticized for his acting skills. On the set of the World War II naval dramaThey were dispensableFord was so ruthless with Wayne that he left the set crying. No matter how vicious he was, Ford considered his actors and crew members family. His friends and co-workers often called him “Pappy,” a nickname.

For Henry Fonda, the lines were drawn on set by Mr RobertsAs Fonda wrote in his autobiography: My lifeFord was unhappy with the script, but the prospect of shooting a film in the water encouraged him, as it reminded him of his time making documentaries about World War II. An uncomfortable tension prevailed on the set, particularly between Ford and William Powell, who was brought out of retirement to take on the role of “Doc.” After a difficult shoot, Fonda met Ford in his office, who told his star: “I understand that you are not satisfied with the work.” The director was notorious for his heavy drinking, and things were already off to a rocky start when Fonda spotted Ford with a drink in his hand. “Because he had been in love with the whiskey bottle for so long, he looked twenty years older than he actually was,” Fonda wrote of Ford, whose health was slowly declining, illustrated by the eye patch he wore late in life.

John Ford’s punch against Henry Fonda ended their friendship

After Fonda had politely explained to him that he was unhappy with the recent shoot with Powell, Ford jumped out of his chair, ran across the room and slapped Fonda in the face. The actor had no idea what prompted Ford to attack him. According to Fonda, he claims that it was not his fist that hit him, but that he “ducked and caught me with his arm, which knocked me to the ground,” after which he staggered back and broke a water jug. Fonda refused to retaliate. Moments later, Ford sheepishly apologized to him, but Fonda was not interested in expressions of sympathy. He did, however, recognize that he sincerely regretted his actions. Although it seemed that the water had disappeared under the bridge, or in this case, the naval vessel, Ford’s alcoholism worsened during filming and he was eventually hospitalized for a kidney problem, requiring major surgery. Unable to perform his duties, Mervyn LeRoya reliable director at Warner Bros. for decades, replaced Ford as director of Mr RobertsIf Ford had been kind, the studio might have been able to halt production until he recovered, but he had caused too many headaches.

In typical Fordian fashion, no one could decipher why John Ford punched Henry Fonda in the face. Ford’s paradoxical behavior made him the legend he is today, and his films and personal life are endlessly fascinating to analyze. For Fonda, the mystique was tiring. After the Mr Roberts Incident, Fonda never worked with Ford again. The director’s career was hardly tarnished, because just a year later Ford directed his masterpiece of the American West, The Wild Seekers. At the director’s AFI Lifetime Achievement ceremony, everyone was present, all of Ford’s closest friends and collaborators, except Fonda. At the time, however, Fonda accepted Peter Bogdanovichs documentary about Ford, in which he spoke enthusiastically about their work. Fonda believed their friendship died the moment he was punched in the face.

Mr Roberts can be streamed on Tubi in the US

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