woody strode interview
If the interview did in fact occur, Munn quotes Strode as saying that, on the set of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Jimmy Stewart was too decent a person to be a hard-case racist, but that Strode believed Jim was uncomfortable around him. He had not a problem with a white guy playing the police officer giving Jimmys character a tongue-lashing. Thats my take. I almost fell for that rumor , but to just listen to Mr. Stewarts interview i know in my heart that he was not a racist. As they were preparing to shoot, Ford came up to Stewart and asked, What do you think of Woodys costume?. After World War II Woody and Kenny Washington became the first blacks to play in the NFL. Razza violenta (1984) Freedom, brotherhood, and equality were issues Jimmy Stewart clearly felt strongly about, for he returned to headline American Brotherhood Week the following year. Woody Strode - MovieMaker Magazine 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. 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 Strode, John Ford then called the whole cast and crew over, and twisted the comment into something Jimmy Stewart never said. Smith Goes to Washington, did not escape Fords sadism unscathed. African Treasure (1952) Producer Julian Blaustein, who produced Jims 1950 film, Broken Arrow, also knew that Jimmy Stewart was not racist: I never knew Jimmy to do or say anything that was racist.. > Sporting Connection Was Jimmy Stewart Racist? Woody Strode, Black Representation and John Ford's SERGEANT - YouTube Hal Kanter is our only primary source on the alleged conversation. The couple would have a son and a daughter to compliment Kalaeloas two sons from a previous marriage. His fellow Gold Dust Gang member Jackie Robinson would break the color barrier in Major League Baseball a year later in 1947. But i am so glad to find out it was not true. (After she died in 1980, Strode would marry Tina in 1982, and they were together until his death.). In the alleged interview, Woody Strode never uses the word racist to describe Jimmy Stewart. However, while on a trip to London, he caught her in bed with a wealthy night club owner named Siegi Sessler and again the relationship almost foundered. 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. Woody Strode - IMDb That tendency to be excluded, either intentionally or unthinkingly, clearly plays a major part in his excitement whenever he's actually looped into any episodic adventure - even if it means the friendship group may have killed someone. Strode would play two more seasons in Calgary before an injury ended his football life. Thanks for your kind words, and for reading Damon! Ford proceeded to announce to the entire company that: One of the actors here doesnt like Uncle Remus. The two became friends, and Ford later gave Wayne his breakthrough role in Stagecoach, the film that launched Wayne to Hollywood stardom. 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. The Buccaneer (1958) Film historian and author Donald Bogle explains Fords handling of race in the film compared to his previous work and the representation of the real life Buffalo Soldiers of the Old West. 9 Black Athletes Who Integrated Professional Sports - HISTORY Despite his romance with Dinah Shore in the 1940s Stewart was also known to express some mildly anti-Semitic views during the counterculture movement. He clearly was a conservative, but I can live with that. 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. 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. He was always magnificent with a no-nonsense style and quiet intellect that no athlete-turned actor has ever surpassed. However, cinematographer William H Clothier later said: There was one reason and one reason only Paramount was cutting costs. Part African American and part Native American, Strodes first big break was in 1960s Spartacus, as the Ethiopian gladiator whose death sparks a rebellion. Jim and Duke upset distributors of the film for a scene in which the two are seated next to each other on a piano bench, jamming at the piano of a bar filled with dancers. But I must say I got a little smug about it. 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. WOODY STRODE, ACTOR, IS DEAD - Buffalo News Jimmy Stewart voiced his support for this goal in a 16 second radio campaign that played the week of February 16-23, 1947. American Brotherhood Week, sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, was meant to encourage not just religious tolerance, but acceptance and equality for all races and nationalities. Id do that if I could. Thankfully, the show never subjected Woody - or viewers - to that possibility. Apr 2: WWE WrestleMania Thanks for reading, James. More info, The cantankerous and eccentric John Ford had filmed other Westerns with John Wayne in colour from The Searchers to She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. > Movies & TV In 1939 Woody, Jackie Robinson and Kenny Washington led UCLA to its first undefeated football season. For his book, Dewey interviewed the producer of Jimmys 1971 television show, writer Hal Kanter. Just ask fans of the Calgary Stampeders. Woody Strode - Biography - IMDb Jim was boiling mad as he grabbed the actor by the shirt and threatened to beat him to an unrecognizable pulp if he ever used the word around Jim again. I do believe he love life and all Gods creations. Click here to subscribe. 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. Strode also played the powerful gladiator who does battle with Kirk Douglas in Spartacus (1960)." Played . At many times throughout the stressful saga, Woody is also fearing for his life, even pleading desperately with his captor and the episode's villain. 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 . Bit of a game changer." Though Woody usually means well, he's not always the . Youre so right, Jims own words and actions prove that he was not racist. 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. Aka: The Million Dollar Fire The Stampeder supporters invaded Toronto and a national party was created. I refer you back to my section on The Jimmy Stewart Show for the facts behind the casting of Hal Williams. Strode almost singlehandedly won the 1948 Grey Cup for the team. Strode worked in B-movies through the 70s and 80s and acted as the narrator for Mario Van Peebles Black Western Posse in 1993. We need him!, In the end, Wayne told Strode: We gotta work together. The Sins of Rachel Cade (1961) 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. > Obituary Archive A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Aka: Scipio the African Apparently, that tendency to over share can get even worse than what viewers are already used to. Regarding your claim that Jimmy made racist remarks about people in Vietnam: in my extensive research, Ive never found any evidence to support this. In the absence of evidence to support your various claims about Jimmy Stewart, they cannot be taken as fact. 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. 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 ! Since 1964-when he, Examinations of masculinity in John Ford's film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) tend to revolve around the two leading male protagonists played by John Wayne and James Stewart (Tom Doniphon, By clicking accept or continuing to use the site, you agree to the terms outlined in our. Who was Woody Strode, Hollywood star who broke the NFL color barrier In 1990, Strodes autobiography, Goal Dust, was published. Speaking of Woody not being the most socially aware person in the world, look no further than his lack of understanding when it comes to chat speak as yet another example of that fact. Apr 16: Impact Rebellion Actor: Spartacus. 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. God bless. Its such a demoralizing rumor. My grandparents were not especially anti-Semitic, but admitted they would not support Jewish political candidates. The Black Scholar And strangely enough, Duke Wayne who, over the years, you know, has made lots of pictures with Ford Duke Wayne has been at the bottom of the list, in the barrel, more than anybody else. Saturday, 4th March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Where was Woody Strode born? Keoma (1976) I find a lot of this evidence unconvincing. He is wearing cowboy. Unlike Robinson, however, neither played much. Jims plea underscores his belief in peace, freedom, and equality for all: 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. Mar 5: AEW Revolution To promote Brotherhood Week, Jimmy Stewart opened and closed a 3 minute trailer that played before feature films at theaters across the United States. Strodes family came from New Orleans and he was Black Indian many Southern Native American tribes had welcomed slaves and free folk into their communities in the 1800s. No Time for Love (1943) Strode also had a brief career as a professional gridiron football player and was among the first African . Strode appeared in at least 90 films, from Sunrise in 1941 to his last, The Quick and the Dead, released in 1995. "I was lucky enough this time to have John Ford as my director. 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. Bow Wow Set To Train With Rikishi To Become A Wrestler, Preview: AEW Dark (02/16/21) Jon Moxley headlines a 12 match card. Required fields are marked *. He was not racist, and your essay more than demonstrates this. Stewart was of the same opinion. For nearly two decades he remained a pioneer against racism in the film and television industry. Halfway through filming, Duke even asked Stewart why he wasnt being targeted by Fords insults too, which other members of the cast and crew had noticed. "I know Gus well." "Shawn." "Him too. According to Kanter, Jim erroneously believed that black actor Hal Williams had been cast as a police officer in an episode where there would be a cop lashing into the professor [Jimmys] character.. It's also one that finds Woody being pulled into the action - albeit not as willingly or successfully as before. He also did professional wrestling and reportedly tussled with the renowned Gorgeous George. Tarzan is summoned to protect him and he must face three tests of strength. Kingdom of the Spiders (1977) La mala ordina (1972) The picture was about, oh, more than halfway finished. Excellent points Dennis, thanks for commenting! 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. According to Jimmy Stewart, Los Angeles in 1934 was: Magical! Hi Rosemary, Thanks for reading! Released in 1960, when the U.S. was in the early stages of the Civil Rights Movement, the film confronted racial injustice head on. Strode served in the Air Force from 1942 to 1946, including time in Guam and the Marianas where he unloaded bombs. Williams has never addressed Kanters allegations, nor has he said that Jimmy mistreated him. 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. As James Stewart explained it, Woody Strode, the actor who was playing Waynes characters best friend, was part of the scene. Pete Thodos would score shortly thereafter to seal a 12-7 Calgary win. One of the most memorable episodes ofPsych is "Last Night Gus," which allows the series to payhomage toThe Hangover. 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. It is known that Stewart made racist remarks about people in Vietnam, and he also strongly campaigned for Barry Goldwater in 1964 after the senator had voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Frye admits as much at the end of the quote. Among other dubious claims, Munn insists that at age 17, he and Ava Gardner became lovers, not long after George Raft ran Munn over with his Rolls Royce, at which point they became close. debut in 1941 in Henry Hathaway' s Sundown. 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. Woody Strode - Wikipedia Every old Hollywood fan should read this. Aka:The Violent Breed An athlete turned actor, Strode was a top-notch decathlete and a football star at UCLA. Woody Strode has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. All Rights Reserved. I was too young at the time to realize Ford was using me to get at Stewart. Aug 5: WWE SummerSlam, > Archives He was interred with military honors at Riverside National Cemetery, east of his hometown.. In response, Ford said: Whats wrong with Uncle Remus? The director then called the crews attention and shouted: One of ourplayersdoesn't like Woody's costume. Im so glad you found my article, and Im beyond happy to hear that you can enjoy Jimmys films once more. Apr 1: WWE WrestleMania Jimmys words and actions prove that he was not racist. The Ravagers, The Professionals) Fall victim to a spider attack, entomologist Diane Ashley (Tiffany Bolling, Wild Party) arrives and tries to help Rack deal with the crisis. After livestock belonging to Rack's friend Walter Colby (Woody Strode, The Italian connection. Cutting Her Down to Size? Lets not allow an unsubstantiated rumor to tarnish the reputation of one of the few Hollywood stars worthy of our complete respect and admiration. He often offers his opinions and most candid thoughts at the least appropriate moments. Thanks to the passionate insistence of director Otto Preminger, the controversial scene stayed in the film [aff. TIMES STAFF WRITER. but i had also read the story of him sticking up for Strode, so I didnt know what to believe. 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. Aka: Jungle Warriors This story first appeared in the Nov. 3 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Jimmy Stewart worked with several black actors and entertainers throughout his career, including Hal Williams, Woody Strode, Lillian Randolph, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington. May Mr. Stewart Rest In Peace. Donald Bogle, Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies & Bucks (New York: Continuum, 1992); Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB) title search by key word; Woody Strode,; The Timeout Film Guide, edited by Tom Milne, Penguin Books, 3rd Edition, 1992. That doesnt sound like a racist! And he said loudly, We have an actor here who objects to the costume on Woody Strode. He then proceeded to suggest that Stewart was prejudiced Strode, who also has since died, was African-American and added that he just wanted to share Stewarts objection to Strodes costume with the whole cast. Jungle Man-Eaters (1954) Then he asked Stewart to come over. Your email address will not be published. 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. Western icon John Wayne had a legendary collaboration with director John Ford that lasted five decades and transformed both mens careers. Woody Strode, byname of Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode, (born July 28, 1914, Los Angeles, California, U.S.died December 31, 1994, Glendora, California), American character actor who was part of director John Ford's "family" of actors, appearing in nearly a dozen of Ford's films. Additionally, the director kept mocking Wayne for not enlisting in World War II, which made the star feel guilty in his later years. RELATED:Psych: 10 Best Gus Nicknames, Ranked. Thank you thank you thank you dear for this story, I am so so grateful for this. He majored in history and education. Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954) Washington and Strode? But as a key supporting player, Woody is absolutely perfect, and his many oddities are all the more welcome because of that. Scipione detto anche lafricano (1971) In USA Network's Psych, Coroner Woody Strode is easily the weirdest character, but he also has some of the series' funniest quotes. In his role as the Coroner (and later Assistant Coroner) for the Santa Barbara Police Department, Woody often gets far too involved and far too close for comfort with all of the dead bodies that come his way. An Interview with Woody Strode - JSTOR 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. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Wrestling: Shocking Stories from the Squared Circle; Benoit: Wrestling with the Horror That Destroyed a Family and Crippled a Sport (with Steven Johnson, Heath McCoy and Irv Muchnick); He can be emailed at goliver845@gmail.com, you can follow him on Twitter @gregmep, and visit www.oliverbooks.ca. Battle scars and violent interludes: Point blank with definitive > WrestleMania, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hockey injury led to wrestling for Karl Von Stroheim. He went on to play in the Canadian Football League before becoming a prolific Hollywood actor,. link]. And according to the actor, Ford froze, then walked away. Tarzans Three Challenges (1963) The Gambler from Natchez (1954) Sharing hotel, meals, and a piano jam session on and off film with Duke Ellington. End of story. Thank you for more information for understanding. Strode played as an End with the Rams in 1946, playing in 10 games that season. Now, I don't know if Mr Stewart has a prejudice against Negroes, but I just wanted you all to know about it., Stewart later said he wanted to crawl into a mouse hole after that and Wayne told him: Well, welcome to the club. Thank you for bringing the evidence together. Strode was a college track and football star at UCLA, one of the first Blacks to integrate the NFL, a professional wrestler, a Golden Globe nominated actor, and a WWII veteran. For Jimmy Stewart, Duke Ellington was responsible for the best part of each evening: [Duke] played for us in the dining room at night, until ten, eleven, which was great fun for us.. When we won, we all got drunk. No freeways. And Duke came up to me one day and said, Hows it come that youve gone through this whole thing and youve never been at the bottom of the list? Woody Strode was a Black Indian (his grandmother was Black Cherokee and his grandfather was Black Muscogee) and an outstanding athlete. 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. Stewart was never rude to mehe was never rude to anyone. 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. Katharine Hepburn & Woman of the Year, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas and Tarragon Tahini. The season seven episode "Office Space" is another memorable episode in the series' run. We both gotta be professionals. Jimmy Stewart was not racist. He made more than sixty movies including his last film, The Quick and The Dead [1995]. I refer you back to the section in my article about The Jimmy Stewart Show for the facts behind the casting of Hal Williams on the show. Im so happy you came across my article. Sounds pretty racist to me. 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. Los tres desafos de Tarzn (1963) - IMDb Noi non siamo angeli (1975) Her brother Peter said that Jimmy Stewart was not racist. Woody Strode Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family (A small role in 1941s Sundown marked his actual debut.) This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Jan. 3, 1995 12 AM PT. RELATED:10 Witty Buddy Comedies To Watch If You Love 'Psych'. We dont know why Jimmy turned down Mockingbird. But Stewart, an Oscar winner known for such timeless hits as The Philadelphia Story, Vertigo and Mr. 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. A recently posed question casts a shadow on the otherwise pristine legacy of Jimmy Stewart. According to Kanter, Jim was chagrined by his mixup. 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! According to Strode, John Ford then called the whole cast and crew over, and twisted the comment into something Jimmy Stewart never said. But Ford had a cruel streak, PBS reports, and it emerged on the set of his movies. Otherwise, we would have been inMonument ValleyorBrackettvilleand we would have had colour stock. Thankfully, the show never subjected Woody - or viewers - to that possibility. Strode was a black cavalry officer on trial for rape and murder, and during the court-martial his story is recounted in flashback. That never happens in a more hilarious manner than during a conversation with Henry Spencer about his sonwho Woody believes is Gus. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. It is like when people try to pretend John Wayne and Winston Churchill were not racist. I can find no evidence to suggest that Jimmys support of Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential election was based on Goldwaters civil rights voting record. Your email address will not be published. Woody Strode Career Stats | NFL.com After being cut by the Rams after just a season, Strode headed north to Canada, where he suited up for the Calgary Stampeders. WOODY STRODE TRIBUTE SPANISH FILMS 11K views James Caan on John Wayne filmSCHOOLarchive 2.4M views Jimmy Stewart is Delightfully Funny, FULL Interview on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show 1989. In an interview given before he died, Stewart once described the toll that Fords meanness took on Wayne. The FBI agent character was written out of The Jimmy Stewart Show after Stewart objected to NBC. Once Upon A Time in the West (1968) THRs review of Sergeant Rutledge on April 8, 1960, Stephanie Hsu Hopes Breakthrough Indie Spirit Award Will Protect That Freak Flag, Roald Dahl Publisher Bends to Controversy, Will Release Classic Version of Controversial Kids Books, Andrea Riseborough: Oscars Most Talked-About Nominee Breaks Her Silence, Film Independent Spirit Awards: Winners List (Updating Live), Spirit Awards: Everything Everywhere All at Once Starts With a Bang, The Bear Wins First TV Award, Spirit Awards: Ke Huy Quan Thanks His Everything Everywhere All at Once Family in Best Supporting Performance Acceptance Speech, Spirit Awards: Hasan Minhaj Pokes Fun at IFC for Not Broadcasting Ceremony, How to Watch the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards Livestream, Star Hairstylist Jen Atkin Reveals Must-Have Hair Tools, Tutorials and Pro Tips In New MasterClass, Rihannas Puma x Fenty Is Coming Back Heres Where You Can Still Buy Those Cult-Fave Creepers, The Best Bridesmaid Dresses for Every Budget, From Under-$100 Gowns to Hollywood-Inspired Classics, BTS Army: Heres When and Where Legos Dynamite-Inspired Set Arrives Online and In Stores, The Big Lebowski Turns 25: People Didnt Get It, Jeff Bridges Recalls, How the Landscape of Native-Led Stories Has Changed Between Avatars: Were Flexing Our Sovereignty, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. Horror Safari (1982) Yet it was this famous athleteturned-actor who, with the great running back Kenny Washington, overcame the segregation hurdle in professional football when they signed with the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League in 1946. link], repeats The Jimmy Stewart Show casting misunderstanding, citing it as evidence of, in Munns own words, Jims racist spirit. Munn also claims that a 1976 interview he conducted with black actor Woody Strode, Jims co-star in 1962s The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, further proves that Jimmy Stewart was a racist. During the interview, when we are alone, Strode is relaxed and easy to talk with almost as if he had discovered a long lost relative and was eager to reconstruct the past. 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. Unfortunately, anger at Jimmy Stewart is also the takeaway of less engaged readers of Michael Munns book. The Alleged Woody Strode Interview Michael Munn's dangerous habit of mixing truth with exaggeration and fallacy calls his alleged interview with Woody Strode into question. 10 Witty Buddy Comedies To Watch If You Love 'Psych', Psych: Ranking The Main Characters By Intelligence.