Favorite Scene - Stagecoach (1939) Discussion

[–] jmp418-1 19 years ago

My favorite scene is the introduction of Ringo. The zooming-in and the line "Hold it!"

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] porfle 19 years ago

I love that shot too, especially the way he blinks his eyes when he sees that the sheriff is riding shotgun. It's just perfect.

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] psouth100 19 years ago

My favorite scene is where Mrs. Malloy is praying and Hatfield tries to use his one bullet to spare her from the horrors of the Apache. That scene stuck with me more than any other.

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[–] uwe-johann 18 years ago

Yes, Ringo's first "shot" (literally) - absolutely a unique moment. And it's not just Ringo Kid's entrance into Stagecoach - it's John Waynes intro as a new superstar. And if you look at his face, it seems like he knew it all the way. I still recall my feelings watching that movie for the first time, maybe in the late 70ies. Having seen only post-war movies of John Wayne before, I was amazed how young he looked.

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[–] pt100 10 years ago

Yes, even though Wayne had spent the '30s toiling away in B pictures, this was his best picture since The Big Trail, and I think Ford was basically "reintroducing" Wayne, somehow knowing that this film would make him a star. I love that zoom-in with Monument Valley in the background and in which Wayne's face goes from blurry to sharp focus. The cameraman actually had a bit of trouble with that, but I think the result was so memorable that Ford did not ask for a retake.

The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. -- A. Einstein

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[–] Wakanohana 18 years ago

jmp418-1 wrote: "My favorite scene is the introduction of Ringo. The zooming-in and the line "Hold it!"

I agree, and I assume John Ford liked it a lot too, because even though the camera goes out of focus, Ford didn't reshoot the scene. Those three seconds or so are simply amazing.

Though the scene where Hatfield is about to kill Mrs Mallory with his last bullet was mentioned, I liked the way the camera stayed on her face. All seems lost, then the sound of a bugler, very faint, and the joy on her face as she recognizes it. And then you see the cavalry charge, with the bugler in front. (Did they actually do that?)

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[–] Pervy_Grin 9 years ago

Though the scene where Hatfield is about to kill Mrs Mallory with his last bullet was mentioned, I liked the way the camera stayed on her face. All seems lost, then the sound of a bugler, very faint, and the joy on her face as she recognizes it. And then you see the cavalry charge, with the bugler in front.

Then you hear a shot and Hatfield's gun drops, and you know he got it. Show, don't tell.

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[–] 16mmRay 19 years ago

One of my favorite "bits" is when Chris-Pin Martin gently tells Mrs. Mallory that her husband was hurt. It's a very tender moment for the often raucus comedian. He gets a big laugh when Donald Meek says Chris' wife is "a savage!" Chris replies, "Si, senor, she's a little bit savage I think!"

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] ilikeflix 19 years ago

My favorite is when Ringo is telling Dallas about his ranch across the border and says, "a man can live there... and a woman. Will you go?" Her face throughout the whole scene reveals how deeply she feels Ringo's affection for her despite her past and her profession. (Of course, he doesn't know about her past - he just thinks she's a lady. Remember he tells Doc that he went into the pen when he was 17.) This love scene is so touching and simple and sincere - one of the best in all movies.

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[–] 8tangerines 9 years ago

Speaking of the scene where Ringo tells Doc he went into jail at age 17, this occurs after Doc has been contemplating what Dallas asked him, if she and Ringo could actually be happily married, given her past. Doc looks pretty thoughtful after Ringo says, "17," like he's wondering if Ringo has even been with a woman before, or whether Ringo can really understand Dallas' past, given how sheltered he's been, in stark contrast to Dallas, who has certainly "known" men.

This is one of my favorite things about this movie, that Dallas is not just shown to be "a hooker with a heart of gold" before she tragically dies or whatever, but she actually gets to have a traditional happy ending despite her past.

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[–] theFoss 17 years ago

For me, it is a very brief "throwaway" shot that Ford shows his mastery of character development with the greatest economy...

At the burned ferry, John Carradine's Hatfield is given the task of standing watch. Pretty much portrayed as a shallow characature to this point, he is fleshed out as an empathetic individual, as he tenderly covers the murdered and charred body of a poor settler woman with his cloak. With no dialogue, and with no more than a three second shot, he is painted as person with compassion and humanity.

Many great scenes and shots...but, IMO, Ford's strength as a director, is that he takes the time to fully develop his characters.

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[–] Percivalx 18 years ago

I love the whole Apache Wells section of the movie. Especially the part when Ringo makes a break for it, Dallas encouraging him to hurry up, Curley running after him but Ringo suddenly dismounting his horse realizing there are Apache war/smoke signals rising from the distant hills.

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[–] misspaddylee 18 years ago

A movie full of wonderful scenes.

I love Donald Meek's performance of Mr. Peacock. The way he takes charge after the birth of Mrs. Mallory's baby. He's a parent, the one with experience and puts everyone in their place. There's also a great look of pity on his face when Doc is passed out from sampling the samples. Marvelous!

You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.

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[–] cnb 18 years ago

The look exchanged between Dallas and Ringo when she's watching his downturned hat, and he peers up at her from under the brim. Whoosh!

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[–] LionHearted99 18 years ago

Perhaps the most touching scene is when Dallas is holding the newborn baby during the midst of an intense indian attack. There is pandemonium all about her with gunfire, attacking indians, a rough and bouncing stagecoach, wind and dust streaming through the windows...and she's concerned with protecting this child, clutching it close to her, not knowing if they'll live through this ordeal. The expression on her face says volumes about this scene and her character.

"Thomas...stay friends with him." "Whatever may be done by smiling...you may rely upon me to do."

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[–] tele_jj 18 years ago

the intro of John Wayne...a star is born! the single most defining moment of one actors career birth...and you see it right there! its one of many great scenes, this movie is almost without flaw, dont blink or you will miss an emotional or charater developing moment.

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[–] chester-copperpot-1 17 years ago

The look on Doc Boone after delivering the baby. He calmly walks out, with a grin on his face, proud as only a doctor or father can be. The "Yeah !!!! I delivered a baby today!" look... He may be a drunk, but he sure knows how to do an honest mans work when needed be. And he knows it.

People who say "Great film, but..." and "really dated" and "so overrated" should die in severe pain

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] DM83TA-1 16 years ago

My favorite scene is when they are voting to decide if they go back to safety or proceed without the Calvary escort. Curly asks Mrs. Mallory to vote because she is a lady. After she answers Curly starts to ask the men but Ringo stops him by asking "Aren't you going to ask the other lady?" This says a lot about Ringo's character.

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[–] eyestruly 16 years ago

It's gotta be the introduction of John Wayne as Ringo Kid. I would go as far to say that it's one of the best entrances of a character ever in film history!

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[–] rebel60 16 years ago

The scene in the saloon after Luke Plummer finds out that Ringo is town. You can cut the tension with a knife. Very little dialogue, just the music and the expressions on the Plummer brothers and everyone else there. Also, Doc Boone's heroics by challenging Luke and his reaction after its over. You knew Doc had it in him.

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[–] ljspin 15 years ago

Reading these posts was like watching the movie again. Every scene mentioned came to mind. Could I add some brief moments that stand out, maybe not as strong as the others, but enough to tell loads about character:

Doc Boone, being run out of town along with Dallas, gallently leads her to the stagecoach. His up-beat mockery of the whole event is a contrast to Dallas's despair.

At the first stagecoach stop, when no one will sit beside Dallas, Ringo sits beside her and offers her the food that has been prepared.

When they finally arrive at Lordsburg, and Mrs. Mallory is carried off the stagecoach with Dallas at her side, Mrs. Mallory's friends meet and greet her. Mrs. Mallory thanks Dallas, and you see the glimmer of understanding and friendship appear and then disappear. Mrs. Mallory can't be seen to befriend a woman like Dallas, especially in front of her friends. Everything that they shared brought them together, but the class system/civilization pushes them apart.

Spin

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