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Deweys book was published early in 1996 when Stewart was still alive. His own words and actions, and the words of those who knew him, prove that Jimmy Stewart was not racist. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. Great Movies Collections TV/Streaming Interviews Movie Reviews Chaz's Journal Contributors Cast and Crew Woody Strode Find on IMDB. Apr 16: Impact Rebellion As an African American, the rumor was disturbing which is why I searched for the facts behind the rumor. Thanks so much for your kind words, and for reading! On Fire (TV) (1987) He had a problem with a black guy doing that. Sergeant Rutledge is a 1960 American Technicolor Western film directed by John Ford and starring Jeffrey Hunter, Constance Towers, Woody Strode and Billie Burke. I read that Stewart was a racist a few weeks ago and fell for it hook line and sinker. I was lucky enough this time to have John Ford as my director. Im so happy you came across my article. Afterwards, Lee Marvin remembered seeing both. Woody has appeared in key roles in bothPsych the Movie andPsych 2: Lassie Come Home, but it's one particular moment in the first film that ranks at the top of the list when it comes to his best quotes. 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 ! Additionally, the director kept mocking Wayne for not enlisting in World War II, which made the star feel guilty in his later years. By 1960, he was starting to garner more attention from Hollywood producers, and after roles inPork Chop Hill (1959), The Last Voyage (1960), andSpartacus(1960), Hollywood deemed he was no longer an extra and deserved more attention. American actor Woody Strode on the set of Sergeant Rutledge, directed by John Ford. Then he asked someone to blow a whistle, which they did, and he called out, Everybody, would you please gather around? So they did. How tall was Woody Strode? Was Hal Williams ever contacted regarding the contriversy kanter mentioned? Woody Strode and Jimmy Stewart in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). But only Woody could think up this "footwear mullet," and that's what makes it great. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. An Interview with Woody Strode - JSTOR The Stampeder supporters invaded Toronto and a national party was created. Wayne and Stewart felt Johnson had destroyed the United States with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Thank you for bringing the evidence together. Noi non siamo angeli (1975) Strode praised Ford in a 1960 interview. 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.. When we won, we all got drunk. Jungle Man-Eaters (1954) 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. Warner Bros. wanted Sidney Poitier, but Ford pushed back, saying he wasnt tough enough to play Rutledge. I refer you back to my section on The Jimmy Stewart Show for the facts behind the casting of Hal Williams. Apr 2: WWE WrestleMania 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.". 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 . 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. Cowboysan (1977) Tha Gatling Gun (1973) 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. The Man Who Made The Stars Shine Brighter: An Interview with Woody Strode Razza violenta (1984) Decathlete who also played football professionally in the CFL, and enjoyed a successful acting career. His last film was The Quick and the Dead, which starred Sharon Stone. This is Jimmy Stewart reminding you that this is Brotherhood week; a week reminding us all that the world of the future must be built on the recognition of the rights of each individual, whatever his color, creed, or national background. Woody Strode was a Black Indian (his grandmother was Black Cherokee and his grandfather was Black Muscogee) and an outstanding athlete. A footnote in the life of a great man. 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. But its possible the interview never occurred. Aka: Stick Em Up, Darlings 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." Thankfully, the show never subjected Woody - or viewers - to that possibility. The filmmaker would ask his Western star: How rich did you get while Jimmy was risking his life?, According to Michael Munns John Wayne The Man Behind The Myth, Strode said that the directors constant ridiculing really p***ed Wayne off, but he would never take it out on Ford., The reason being that the filmmakers movies had made him a Hollywood star and the Pompey actor claimed: He ended up taking it out on me.. Ford discovered Wayne, then Marion Morrison, when the latter was a University of Southern California student with a summer job on a studio lot. You could smell the orange blossoms. In 2020, Bob Glauber, a Newsday reporter, wanted to write a book about Kenny Washington and Woody Strode, whose signings to the Los Angeles Rams in 1946 broke an effective ban on Black players. Strode lived in Italy for five years and made 12 films there. Im glad you made it.. After livestock belonging to Rack's friend Walter Colby (Woody Strode, The Italian connection. Racism comes in different shapes and forms, as does the label racist. Your article doesnt refute Kanters supposed claim that Stewarts character, even though he may have confused roles, was nonetheless uncomfortable about being lectured by a black character. According to Jimmy Stewart, Los Angeles in 1934 was: Magical! And he was dressed in blue overalls, a blue work shirt and boots. This unnamed actor used the n word to refer to Woody Strode. 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. A Gathering of Old Men (TV) (1987) Thanks for reading Brice! Hal Kanter is our only primary source on the alleged conversation. 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 . Required fields are marked *. Sundown (1941). 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. Woody Strode: Hollywood Star - YouTube In 1962, he retired from pro wrestling to concentrate on his film career, which exploded after his role in John Fords Sergeant Rutledge, and then his first starring role in the Western The Professionalsthat starred Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster in 1966. Woody Strode - Wikipedia I once played a part written for an Irish prize fighter. But Stewart, an Oscar winner known for such timeless hits as The Philadelphia Story, Vertigo and Mr. After Gus and Shawn are implicated in yet another murder scene, they scramble to cover up the evidence which Woody is already all too keenly aware of. They broke the NFLs modern colour barrier the year before, suiting up for the Los Angeles Rams. Two teammates at UCLA were Jackie Robinson and Kenny Washington. Of course, their football rhythm had been broken up by World War II. Also Stewart even stayed up late much to director Premingers chagrin during Anatomy Of A Murder to play with Duke Ellington. His words, actions, and moral code prove the fallacy of any rumor to the contrary. 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. 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. 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. Sergeant Rutledge (1960) 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. (See The American Creed video in my article above.). 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. African Treasure (1952) Psych: Woody's 10 Most Hilarious Quotes - ScreenRant 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. 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. I'm glad you made it.. Strode was a black cavalry officer on trial for rape and murder, and during the court-martial his story is recounted in flashback. Bride of the Gorilla (1951) He played in the Pacific Coast Football League for the Hollywood Bears prior to enlisting in the US Air Force during World War II. Jimmy Stewart voiced his support for this goal in a 16 second radio campaign that played the week of February 16-23, 1947. This article looks at Woody Strode, an early African-American and Native American star who left pro wrestling in the early 1960s to become an actor in Hollywood for decades. Id play a Viking with blue contact lenses and a blond wig if I could. (Proving the point: In Androcles and the Lion, Strode actually dressed as the lion.). Cuba Crossing (1980) In fact I dont think he even likes Negroes.. Munn insists that he was the confidant of nearly every great Classic Hollywood Star, a declaration he made only after all of these stars passed. Request Permissions. Lets not allow an unsubstantiated rumor to tarnish the reputation of one of the few Hollywood stars worthy of our complete respect and admiration. Il Giustiziere del Bronx (1989) While his pro wrestling career lasted two decades from the 1940s to 1960s, his impact not only on the NFL and in Hollywood was a groundbreaker, making him a pioneer in many genres outside of the squared ring. ), Wrestling was next on his resume. Aka: Chuck Moll This story first appeared in the Nov. 3 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Aka: Black Kingpin But that's what makes him such a great character. 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. 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. Another reliable source for Woody Strodes feelings towards Jimmy Stewart is a 1994 interview with Lee Marvin biographer, Dwayne Epstein. He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. 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. He was always magnificent with a no-nonsense style and quiet intellect that no athlete-turned actor has ever surpassed. 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? And why was he cast as Lieutenant Quigley? Thanks again for reading Brice, and for your kind comment! Click here to subscribe. Strode played as an End with the Rams in 1946, playing in 10 games that season. Williams has never addressed Kanters allegations, nor has he said that Jimmy mistreated him. A rumor casts a shadow on the legacy of Jimmy Stewart. Once Upon A Time in the West (1968) 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. Thanks for setting me straight. best of friends ever since they were children, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home: 10 Easter Eggs You Totally Missed. In the alleged interview, Woody Strode never uses the word racist to describe Jimmy Stewart. Sharing hotel, meals, and a piano jam session on and off film with Duke Ellington. And yet, it's impossible to get enough of him, even when he crosses every line and oversteps every boundary. An athlete turned actor, Strode was a top-notch decathlete and a football star at UCLA. Also, his agent Bill Frye, in Jimmy Stewart: A Biography, says that Stewart turned down the role of Atticus Finch in Mockingbird because he was uncomfortable with the liberal racial tone (though without using those words). That means everything, working with a man like that." Your email address will not be published. So it's not entirely out of the ordinary for Woody to believe that they're siblings. Thats my take. As they were preparing to shoot, Ford came up to Stewart and asked, What do you think of Woodys costume?. Greg Oliver has been writing about pro wrestling since 1985, and is the author of wrestling books: The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Storytellers (with Steven Johnson), The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes & Icons (with Steven Johnson and Mike Mooneyham); The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels (with Steven Johnson); The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams (also with Johnson); The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Canadians; SLAM! The spiritual leader of an oriental country is dying. Its further worth noting that in his 1990 autobiography [ aff. Then, when the steeds had halted, he tried to pick a punch up with his younger co-star. Jimmy Stewart was a remarkable man who loved all his fellowman. My grandparents were not especially anti-Semitic, but admitted they would not support Jewish political candidates. How much did Woody Strode weigh when playing? The season seven episode "Office Space" is another memorable episode in the series' run. City Beneath the Sea (1953) If Jim would never say it that way, then Bill Frye should not say it that way for him. > Sporting Connection Woody eventually becomes a major player in the world ofPsych, but he's also clearly not part of the main friendship group for most of the series' run. The Quest: The Longest Drive (TV) (1976) Woody Strode was 6-3 (190 cm) tall. There's no easier way to put it: Woody is weird. He was the African antagonist in Tarzan Fights for Life (1958) and an Apache chief who took on Sean Connery in the western, Shalako (1968). Released two years before To Kill a Mockingbird, Rutledge is one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to address racism frankly. Western icon John Wayne had a legendary collaboration with director John Ford that lasted five decades and transformed both mens careers. Terrible rumors about Jimmy Stewarts beliefs have sprung from an interview that possibly never occurred. De Mille (The Ten Commandments as the King of Ethiopia); Stanley Kubrick (Spartacus); and Sergio Leone (Once Upon a Time in the West). I do believe he love life and all Gods creations. Was Vera-Ellen Anorexic in White Christmas? Never thought of them as brothers though. 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. Woody Strode's extraordinary career led him from football field to wrestling ring to Hollywood. Which is sort of remarkable, because they love each other. A recently posed question casts a shadow on the otherwise pristine legacy of. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Cutting Her Down to Size? Hal Kanter is our only primary source to say that Jimmy had an issue with the casting of Hal Williams. If we are to take Michael Munns 1976 interview with Woody Strode as fact, then Munns alleged interview with Lee Marvin, another Liberty Valance star, should also be considered. Jim replied that he thought the costume made Strode look a bit too much like Uncle Remus.. Blacks usually sat at the back of the bus. Strode would play two more seasons in Calgary before an injury ended his football life. Posse (1993) You can unsubscribe at any time. 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. > Movies & TV 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. It would be interesting to hear Janes thoughts. Aka: The Last Warrior All Rights Reserved. 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. Dr Albert Schweitzer Full Documentary - YouTube