What is movie star johnny depp doing playing guitar amid the red rocks of southern utah. Relentlessly feminist, johnny guitar examines the costs of a womans independent action through lurid, violent exaggeration. In johnny guitar, nicholas ray made a film that might as well have been plotted and pitched in fevered psychosis seem as persuasively organized and lucid as a dream or something fresh from. Theres one thing that can be said about johnny guitarjoan crawford. Now, joe shares with readers the details of how sedona got her. F rancois truffaut once wrote that johnny guitar is the beauty and the beast of westerns, a western dream, but i prefer to think of it as a few degrees closer to orpheus. Ive never seen the story of jesus christ told this way. Sometimes described as too stagey and talky, its a wholly lyrical and satisfying work of art in a western setting, a beautiful construction of western motifs and characters. May 12, 2019 after wondering what the plot of this movie was for so long, i found out that johnny guitar 1954 isnt actually about sterling haydens title character at all. See also 3 large 2014 photos by mike ohanlon of the sedona landscape and johnny guitar plaque. Willie nelson portrays famous gunslinger and dentist doc holliday. A mysterious gunslinger sterling hayden rides back into the town where vienna joan crawford rides herd in johnny guitar 1954. At one point in the movie johnny says, im a stranger here myself.
The numbers on this map show where various scenes from the movie were shot. Other scenes were filmed near oak creek canyon, between phoenix and sedona, where the rocks have a reddish tint, something ray captures in his stylized color palette for the film. Its eponymous hero sterling hayden is a sensitive soul who wields only six strings, not a sixshooter. But the origins of johnny guitar came amidst tumultuous changes in the american film business of the 1950s, and were far more humble than any art film. Joan crawford in johnny guitar 1954 joan crawford and sterling hayden in johnny. Sedona, az, joan crawford and johnny guitar i sedona. There are numerous ways to consider this film as an outsider. When a heist is pulled in town that results in a mans death, emma small, viennas rival, rallies the townsfolk to take revenge on viennas saloon. Nicholas rays 1954 gem, starring joan crawford and sterling hayden, is an extraordinary psychological drama. Johnny guitar was filmed on location at sedona, arizona, where republic built a small western set abutting a cliff. When a heist is pulled in town that results in a mans death, emma small mercedes mccambridge, viennas rival, rallies the townsfolk to take revenge on viennas saloon even without proof of her wrongdoing. Mar 01, 2010 as the magazines series of profiles on westerns filmed in sedona blossomed, so did joes research.
The title character, played by sterling hayden, is a guitarstrumming drifter who was once the lover of arizona saloonowner vienna joan crawford. This month, the truth is finally revealed when arizonas little hollywood. Sedona and northern arizonas forgotten film history 19231973 publishes. Joan crawford is incredible as the toughest lady gun in the west. The movie was pretty ahead of its time characters openly discuss viennas past affairs and she runs her own business and it was filmed in gorgeous technicolor. The star was greatest identified for enjoying the bandit turkey ralston within the joan crawford drama johnny guitar. Movies filmed in sedona, arizona saddles and spurs. Nor, it turns out, is the film, despite having b movie written all over it. Johnny guitar confidently strides through genre conventions, emerging with a brilliant statement that transcends its period setting and left an indelible mark. N icholas rays 1954 classic johnny guitar upends nearly every convention of the traditional western.
Johnny guitar wurde ins national film registry aufgenommen. Click on the below photo to see 3 large shots of the presentday johnny guitar plaque in sedona, arizona courtesy of mike o, shot in. The screenplay, written by mangold and gill dennis, is based on two autobiographies authored by singersongwriter johnny cash, 1975s man in black. It is a movie to see, to experience, and very hard to discuss. In johnny guitar 1954, directed by nicholas ray and filmed in sedona, arizona, cooper rode the same horse that carried alan ladd in shane. Johnny guitar hollywoods most unusual western movie made in 1954 and starring joan crawford, sterling hayden and mercedes mccambridge. On the outskirts of town, the hardnosed vienna owns a saloon frequented by the undesirables of the region, including dancin kid and his gang. Johnny guitar 1954 silver scenes a blog for classic. After helping a wounded gang member, a strongwilled female saloon owner is wrongly suspected of murder and bank robbery by a lynch mob. The action centers on a twostory saloon outside town, but we never even see town, except for a bank facade and interior set. Jun 19, 20 the timely arrival of johnny guitar thwarts emmas dark plans, but doesnt prevent a showdown between the women. Another patron of viennas establishment is johnny guitar, a former gunslinger and her lover. Johnny depp walks in southern utahs red rocks for a.
Sterling haydens fingerpicking interloper johnny might get top billing, but the. At first glance, johnny guitar is in seeming contrast to these highlyregarded films. Johnny guitar is a 1954 american trucolor western drama film directed by nicholas ray starring joan crawford, sterling hayden, mercedes mccambridge, and scott brady. Borgnine built a reputation as a dependable character actor and appeared in early film roles as villains, including movies like johnny guitar, vera cruz and bad day at black rock. The screenplay was adapted from a novel by roy chanslor.
There are very few filmsespecially from hollywood studiosthat truly deserve to be called sui generis. Oct 01, 2003 the story of the johnny guitar companys visit to sedona is as wild and wooly, as colorful and complicated, as the movie itself proved to be. The story of the johnny guitar companys visit to sedona is as wild and wooly, as colorful and complicated, as the movie itself proved to be. The timely arrival of johnny guitar thwarts emmas dark plans, but doesnt prevent a showdown between the women.
You may recall that orpheus was an ancient greek musician who attempted to liberate his wife, eurydice, from eternal damnation, armed only with. One night, in a drunken rage, crawford scattered the costumes worn by mccambridge along an arizona highway. Subscribe to the new yorker on youtube to keep up with all of our latest videos and shows. A cult classic oldstyle western with a twist, where a strong woman played by joan crawford. Western movies filmed in sedona i sedona monthly magazine. Nicholas rays johnny guitar 1954 is surely one of the most blatant psychosexual melodramas ever to disguise itself in that most commodious of genres, the western. Johnny guitar was filmed in trucolor and the color cinematography is beautiful. The transfer is rich and detailed in the contrasty trucolor. Western movie actor ben cooper died on the age of 86 on monday. The only person who seems always to be on viennas side is her exboyfriend, johnny guitar. Joan crawford and mercedes mccambridge fought both on and off camera. No movie is unrelated to the time in which it was made and every film changes when viewed from a. May 03, 2016 but johnny guitar sterling hayden isnt everything that he seems.
Released november th, 1998, johnny guitar stars joan crawford, sterling hayden, mercedes mccambridge, scott brady the movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 50 min, and received a. Feb 11, 20 film studies coursework, filmed with a gopro and edited with i movie directing. Little house on the prairie caleb hodgekiss 1 episode 2005 columbo tommy 1 episode 1968 the johnny cash show 11 episodes 20182020 a. Mercedes mccambridge, scott brady, sterling hayden, joan crawford. After wondering what the plot of this movie was for so long, i found out that johnny guitar 1954 isnt actually about sterling haydens title character at all. Johnny guitar is an exceptional screen western in every respect, and one of nicholas rays best films during his short run of 50s masterpieces. Johnny guitar is available at as an all region dvd import, region 2 pal dvd format, or on vhs. Costume designer sheila obrien made excellent use of her fashion color palette bedecking crawford in bright solid colors that stand out among the muted old western town surroundings. Johnny guitar is a 1954 american trucolor western drama film directed by nicholas ray. Olive films bluray and dvd of johnny guitar is a bright and colorful hd rendering of this unique western drama, that retains the odd color values associated with consolidated film labs proprietary trucolor printing process. Johnny guitar movie locations of the great southwest. Another patron of viennas establishment is johnny guitar sterling hayden, a former gunslinger and her lover. In the movie, johnny narrates, and sings the story, that is being portrayed. In 2008, johnny guitar was selected for preservation in the united states national film registry by the library of congress as being culturally, historically, or.
Finally, the disc comes with a trailer and a booklet containing an essay by jonathan rosenbaum, a. Johnny guitar 1998 stream and watch online moviefone. The pirates of the caribbean star is featured in a 60second spot for. Two women quarrel in this unusual psychological and melodramatic western, replete with sexual and political subtext although few seemed to notice it at the time of release. The last days of frank and jesse james frank james 1986. It was produced by republic pictures and shot in the candycoloured trucolor format vienna crawford is the owner of a saloon in a town in arizona that is in the period of transition. Its from republic pictures, who specialised in both westerns and support features and the credits are in the font we all associate with the genre. Joan crawford watches the birdie during a break from filming johnny. With joan crawford, sterling hayden, mercedes mccambridge, scott brady. She is featured on more posters for the film than the character the film is named after, johnny. Sedona, az, joan crawford and johnny guitar i sedona monthly. And here to read a 2003 sedona monthly article on the making of jg. Joan crawford and sterling hayden he is johnny guitar in a pivotal scene from the film.
Sedona and northern arizonas forgotten film history 1923. Johnny guitar is a film that overflows with such melodramatic passion and visual excess that even the most baroque westerns of the day, like fritz langs rancho notorious, seem straitlaced by comparison. This was nicholas rays own personal motto, a recurring theme in his movies, and reportedly the working title for just about every movie he directed. Johnny becomes an unwitting spectator in an arizona cattle towns internal squabble over whether to allow a railroad to pass through its limits, and the citizens. Rays johnny guitar is like no other western that i have ever seen. A good, convincing case has been made for interpreting johnny guitar as an allegory for the redscare witch hunts that running rampant during the period in which it was made and released, with the lasciviously, demonically savage, duplicitous and singleminded crusader emma a perfect standin for bullying redbaiter joe mccarthy. Johnny guitar was produced by a former maker of b westerns, republic pictures. The studiobuilt scenery for viennas place as seen in the movie, johnny guitar, filmed just outside sedona, arizona. Other scenes were filmed near oak creek canyon, between phoenix and sedona, where the rocks have a reddish tint, something ray. The studio was long famous for its regular production of westerns starring gene autry and roy rogers. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. The film is a b movie released in 1954 by republic pictures, a small company known for costcutting and for the quick production of films designed for a large audience. Though her establishment doesnt make a dime, vienna doesnt care because the.
Johnny guitar 1998 on the outskirts of town, the hardnosed vienna joan crawford owns a saloon frequented by the undesirables of the region. The wisecracking, laconic johnny guitar character, unable to free himself from vienna, and the gambling theme, invoke film noir conventions. Filmed on location at sedona, arizona and at red rock crossing. The film is based on the 1953 novel of the same name by roy chanslor, was directed by nicholas ray and produced by herbert j yates of the republic pictures studios. His nephew, pete searls, instructed the hollywood reporter ben died in memphis, tennessee, after affected by a long illness. He said, johnny guitar is the only movie that id like to remake someday, although i know that its impossible. This is not a standard western women have the key roles and it was filmed in deliberately unrealistic colours designed to make everything weirdly intense. Aug 03, 2012 in johnny guitar, nicholas ray made a film that might as well have been plotted and pitched in fevered psychosis seem as persuasively organized and lucid as a dream or something fresh from. Stagecoach is a 1986 american madefortelevision western action drama film and a remake of the classic 1939 film stagecoach starring kris kristofferson as the ringo kid, the role originally played by john wayne. Most of the picture follows vienna joan crawford, a toughasnails woman who started from nothing and worked her way up to finally owning her own saloon and gambling joint. Johnny guitar is a 1954 western directed by nicholas ray, starring sterling hayden, joan crawford, mercedes mccambridge, ernest borgnine, john carradine and ward bond. The film follows cashs early life, his romance with june.
Ohne filter 2005 starring johnny watson on dvd and bluray. Feb 26, 2020 in johnny guitar 1954, directed by nicholas ray and filmed in sedona, arizona, cooper rode the same horse that carried alan ladd in shane. In 2008, johnny guitar was selected for preservation in the united states national film registry by the library of congress. Taos unlimited movie locations of the great southwest. Johnny guitar is about the hatred between vienna and emma, and sterling hayden seems to know it. Johnny guitar is the first western i have watched with a strong female protagonist that acts in a dominating and powerful way. However, i found myself questioning how strong the character actually is, and whether or not the film presents a feminist viewpoint or not. Nicholas rays 1954 gem, starring joan crawford and sterling hayden, is an extraordinary. Walk the line is a 2005 american biographical musical romantic drama film directed by james mangold. The romantic history and steely attitudes shared by vienna joan crawford and johnny sterling hayden are revealed in this nearoperatic scene from nicholas rays johnny guitar, 1954 view the tcmdb entry for johnny guitar 1954.
Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing johnny guitar near you. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. Audiences in 1954, when nicholas rays movie premiered, were. For seven years, sedona monthlys creative director, joe mcneill, has devoted his life to accurately documenting sedonas film legacy for the first time ever.
In 1953, while jg was being filmed, it was a town of 1500. For all its slightly tatty sets and offthemark decor, the film abounds in wonderful lines and acting that doesnt betray them. Even its log linea joan crawford westernsounds faintly ludicrous, like an ernest borgnine musical. Theres also a brief overview of republic pictures, the b movie studio that released johnny guitar, as well as interviews with lightning over water producer chris sievernich and actor tom farrell about working with ray toward the end of his life. Brought into town as firepower when vienna fears gun trouble, he claims to have given up guns, speaks softly, talks of his onetime love of vienna with only barely convincing regret, and is laidback, as sterling hayden rarely ever is. Film studies coursework, filmed with a gopro and edited with i movie directing. You may recall that orpheus was an ancient greek musician who attempted to liberate his wife, eurydice, from. His character, in a gang with ernest borgnine, royal. Sep 11, 2014 the wisecracking, laconic johnny guitar character, unable to free himself from vienna, and the gambling theme, invoke film noir conventions. Costume designer sheila obrien made excellent use of her fashion color palette bedecking crawford in bright solid colors that stand out. Sep 22, 2018 johnny guitar was filmed in trucolor and the color cinematography is beautiful. One of the strangest westerns on record, johnny guitar has less in common with zane grey than it does with sigmund freud and krafftebbing. Three years after the series began, joe decided sedonas film history deserved more than monthly magazine profiles, and the idea that would become arizonas little hollywood.
763 1653 256 909 265 1399 260 1467 871 1268 849 1247 455 572 278 781 601 784 1541 1478 896 1428 1402 238 1534 1467 571 906 835 823 1085 785 837 199 771 172 930 697 137 776 1115 608 1401 1437