Stagecoach

About Stagecoach

Released in 1939, Stagecoach is an American Western film directed by John Ford and produced by Walter Wanger. The landmark film presents a simple story of a stagecoach trip from Arizona to New Mexico. The plot throws together an unlikely group of characters including a prostitute, an alcoholic doctor, a pregnant woman, a whisky salesman, a gambler, a sheriff, an escaped criminal, and a driver. As the stagecoach travels through dangerous Apache territory, the passengers’ personal stories unfold and they experience growth and redemption.

Making / Production

The film was shot in Monument Valley, Utah. John Ford displayed his skills in disposition of characters within the frame and use of landscape, and created an iconography that would characterize his later westerns. The production of Stagecoach brought conflict between director Ford and producer Walter Wanger who had disagreements about the film's budget and shooting schedules. Despite these disagreements, Stagecoach became a successful turning point in both their careers.

Actors

• John Wayne as Ringo Kid – Up until Stagecoach, Wayne had mostly been cast in low-budget films, but his iconic performance in this film kickstarted his career.
• Claire Trevor as Dallas – Trevor's poignant portrayal of a "fallen woman" who is shunned by "decent folk" added emotional depth to the film.
• Thomas Mitchell as Doc Boone – His performance as the alcoholic doctor won him the Best Supporting Actor award at The Oscars.
• Andy Devine as Buck – Devine's comical portrayal as the stagecoach driver added an element of humor to the film

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is often credited as the first of the classic westerns and had an immense influence on many directors.
• Orson Welles stated that he watched Stagecoach over 40 times in preparation for making Citizen Kane.
• The film was one of the first to use the technique of “deep focus”, where every part of the image is in focus simultaneously.

Awards

Stagecoach won two Academy Awards – Best Supporting Actor for Thomas Mitchell and Best Music, Scoring. Moreover, it was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Art Director, and Best Film Editing.

Quotes

• "Well, they're saved from the blessings of civilization. - Doc Boone"
• "There are some things a man just can't run away from. - Ringo Kid"
• "I can't fight looking over my shoulder. - Dallas"

Music, Soundtrack

• The score of Stagecoach was composed by Richard Hageman, W. Franke Harling, John Leipold and Leo Shuken
• The film score works in perfect harmony with the film in enhancing the drama and tension of the scenes