Despite these flaws, Kanters anecdote is cited as evidence that Jimmy Stewart was racist. Six decades later, the film continues to attract attention because it was one of the first mainstream films in the U.S. to treat racism frankly and to give a starring role to an African-American actor. Im glad that it clears up that rumor about him. Never had so much fun as I did in Canada. The Cotton Club (1984) Click here to subscribe. All the while, he continued to work in often uncredited roles in Hollywood films in minor roles, before landing the role of the King of Ethiopia in the 1956 film The Ten Commandments featuring Charleton Heston. Woody Strode: Pioneer of ring, field and screen | Slam Wrestling La spina dorsale del diavolo (1971) An athlete turned actor, Strode was a top-notch decathlete and a football star at UCLA. Woody Strode - actor - biography, photo, best movies and TV shows 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. For his book, Dewey interviewed the producer of Jimmys 1971 television show, writer Hal Kanter. They broke the NFLs modern colour barrier the year before, suiting up for the Los Angeles Rams. RELATED:10 Witty Buddy Comedies To Watch If You Love 'Psych'. Woody Strode was born in Los Angeles, CA. According to Strode, John Ford then called the whole cast and crew over, and twisted the comment into something Jimmy Stewart never said. But I gradually learned L.A. was heavily segregated. 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. Woody Strode's extraordinary career led him from football field to wrestling ring to Hollywood. Given his love of talking too much, and going entirely too in depth on the worst subjects, that's not a surprise at all. Never thought of them as brothers though. The Man Who Made The Stars Shine Brighter: An Interview with Woody Strode Los tres desafos de Tarzn (1963) - IMDb Thanks for reading David! Strode, 32 when he signed, never got a chance to prove himself and was released after one season. Due to the intense love and fandom ofPsych fans (known as Psych-os) all around the world,Psych has evolved from being a series to being a franchise that shows no sign of slowing down. > Obituary Archive In the absence of evidence to support your various claims about Jimmy Stewart, they cannot be taken as fact. Saturday, 4th March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. God bless. 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. 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. 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. Who was Woody Strode, Hollywood star who broke the NFL color barrier Strode appeared in at least 90 films, from Sunrise in 1941 to his last, The Quick and the Dead, released in 1995. Your email address will not be published. Thankfully, the show never subjected Woody - or viewers - to that possibility. In 1941, he began working as a professional wrestler, and in 1946, he and Washington became the first two African-American football players to play in the NFL, when they signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Retro book review: Strodes story a fascinating read, WOODY STRODES MOVIES Bride of the Gorilla (1951) He served as a caregiver to Ford in his final years and was at Ford's deathbed in 1973. 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. Then he asked someone to blow a whistle, which they did, and he called out, Everybody, would you please gather around? So they did. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After World War II Woody and Kenny Washington became the first blacks to play in the NFL. Also in the Munn interview, Strode relates an incident in which. 'The Harder They Fall' owes a tip of the hat to the pro footballer turned actor, who played the title role in one of the first mainstream films to plainly address racism. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Next James Bond: Tom Hardy leapfrogged by 007 outsider, Robert Shaw Harrison Ford fury on Force 10 From Navarone 'total bull', John Wayne was really p***ed off: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance was miserable shoot, John Wayne was constantly mocked by John Ford and even Jimmy Stewart was attacked too, Rio Bravo: Angie Dickinson on cute John Wayne being so different', Pompey star Woody Strode on John Wayne's left, John Wayne felt he couldn't hit back at John Ford since the director made him a star, John Wayne: The Searchers set revelation that saw John Ford speechless, How the West Was Won: Idiot drunk producer, near-death and more, John Wayne: Why Elvis turned down Dukes offer to co-star in Western, John Wayne: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon set feud that led to best scene, John Waynes final movie was NOT The Shootist Duke was in Star Wars, John Wayne never learnt his lesson over Hollywood roles. I'm glad you made it.. Thanks for commenting! 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. He served as a caregiver to Ford in his final years and was at Fords deathbed in 1973. "I know Gus well." "Shawn." "Him too. 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. 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. However Dewes book was published early in 1996 when Stewart was still alive. He was not racist, and your essay more than demonstrates this. The FBI agent character was written out of The Jimmy Stewart Show after Stewart objected to NBC. He lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son. Aka: Black Kingpin Strode also played the powerful gladiator who does battle with Kirk Douglas in Spartacus (1960)." Played . His recollection of several details that are easily checked is inaccurate. As James Stewart explained it, Woody Strode, the actor who was playing Wayne's character's best friend, was part of the scene. > Sporting Connection Unlike Robinson, however, neither played much. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. (1979) He competed in track and field and played football as a tight-end at UCLA. 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. Thanks for reading Brice! 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. 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. Lee Marvin was impressed by Jimmys impassioned response: I liked Jimmy before that incident, but after it, I liked him a whole lot more.. but i had also read the story of him sticking up for Strode, so I didnt know what to believe. Michael Munns dangerous habit of mixing truth with exaggeration and fallacy calls his alleged interview with Woody Strode into question. Strode was a black cavalry officer on trial for rape and murder, and during the court-martial his story is recounted in flashback. Weve dissected the fallacies behind the rumor that Jimmy Stewart was a racist. Spartacus (1960) 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.. 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.). The Cotton Club Encore (2019) Odie Henderson. The Revengers (1972) 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. 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. Woody Strode Career Stats | NFL.com Bow Wow Set To Train With Rikishi To Become A Wrestler, Preview: AEW Dark (02/16/21) Jon Moxley headlines a 12 match card. City Beneath the Sea (1953) Strode worked in B-movies through the '70s and '80s and acted as the narrator for Mario Van Peebles' Black. That doesnt sound like a racist! In this, the last interview Strode ever gave, he expresses only respect for Jimmy Stewart, calling Jim one of the screens greatest actors.. He played in the Pacific Coast Football League for the Hollywood Bears prior to enlisting in the US Air Force during World War II. No smog because few people could afford cars in those days. I was too young at the time to realize Ford was using me to get at Stewart. Woody Strode Took on West in John Ford's 'Sergeant Rutledge' in 1960 The Quick & The Dead (1995) Hal Kanter is our only primary source to say that Jimmy had an issue with the casting of Hal Williams. 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. When we won, we all got drunk. Thanks for commenting. But it still doesn't make a whole lot of sense for him to make his first logical leap either. Its why Stewart agreed to campaign strongly for Reagan in 1966, despite feeling the candidate was not conservative enough as he had remained a Democrat until 1962. Woody Strode was a Black Indian (his grandmother was Black Cherokee and his grandfather was Black Muscogee) and an outstanding athlete. The Gambler from Natchez (1954) It was his enduring appeal in Western films that lead to him being immortalized in tribute by Pixar films the Tom Hanks voiced cowboy toy Woody in theToy Storyseries was named Woody after Woody Strode. Hi Yolanda, it is such a disturbing rumor. A hilarious subplot within the episode finds Woody and Carlton "Lassie" Lassiter waking up snuggled up together, and left to wonder exactly what transpired between the two of them the night before. Thankfully, the show never subjected Woody - or viewers - to that possibility. I almost died inside when I heard he was a racist. Strode appeared in several subsequent Ford films, though never in a starring capacity. DON'T MISSJohn Wayne: The Searchers set revelation that saw John Ford speechless[THE SEARCHERS]How the West Was Won: Idiot drunk producer, near-death and more[HOW THE WEST WAS WON]John Wayne: Why Elvis turned down Dukes offer to co-star in Western[ELVIS]. Woody Strode - Pro-Football-Reference 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 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. 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. Strode served in the Air Force from 1942 to 1946, including time in Guam and the Marianas where he unloaded bombs. (He never forgot Calgary, however, and returned to the city in 1986 to aid fundraising for the financially-ailing team. Strode, doing his part, is reported to have ridden a horse in the famed Royal York hotel. Im so glad you found my article, and Im beyond happy to hear that you can enjoy Jimmys films once more. Woody Strode: A Pioneer In Pro Wrestling, Cinema & The NFL The Black Stallion Returns (1983) Im so happy you came across my article. Pompey actor Woody Strode remembered that Ford kept needling Duke about his failure to make it as afootballplayer, comparing him to Strode who was a former NFL player. Jimmy Stewart was a remarkable man who loved all his fellowman. Thats my take. The Pompey actor assessed: What a miserable film to make.. Michael Munns books are unreliable. Woody Strode, the six-foot-four pioneering athlete turned movie star, was born in 1914, in South Central Los Angeles, to Black and Native American parents. 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. The Man Who Made The Stars Shine Brighter: An Interview with Woody Strode. link]. With a bizarre range of habits and tendencies, Woody would be a lot to handle if he were either a real person, or the series' main character. He became part of Hollywood lore after meeting director John Ford and becoming a part of the Ford "family," appearing in four Ford motion pictures. Is Woody Strode in the Hall of Fame? RELATED:Psych: Ranking The Main Characters By Intelligence. He died the following year at age 80. According to Peter Fonda, the sheer fact that Jimmy Stewart was best friends with Peters father, Henry Fonda, proves that Jim was not racist. Strode played as an End with the Rams in 1946, playing in 10 games that season. 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. Thanks for your kind words, and for reading! Pork Chop Hill (1959) Excellent points Dennis, thanks for commenting! As the two actors filmed an exterior shot on a horse-drawn cart, Wayne was close to losing control of the horses. 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. The Black Scholar 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. Barbara Payton - what a waste. Historian Alan Royle The Legend of Woody Strode - Museum of the Moving Image Cowboysan (1977) Seduto alla sua destra (1968) Cutting Her Down to Size? Im delighted that you took the time too elaborate on its origins. Thanks again for reading Brice, and for your kind comment! 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. He had not a problem with a white guy playing the police officer giving Jimmys character a tongue-lashing. 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. Thanks for reading, Luke. That was one of the great days in my life and I can remember it very clearly, Strode told the Toronto Stars George Gamester in 1977. It was Ford who cast Strode in the lead role in Sergeant Rutledge. It is such a terrible rumor. Working with quarterback Keith Spaith, he excelled as a receiver, and did double duty on the defensive side as an end as the Stamps compiled an unbeaten record. 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. I read that Stewart was a racist a few weeks ago and fell for it hook line and sinker. Che! 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. Great Movies Collections TV/Streaming Interviews Movie Reviews Chaz's Journal Contributors Cast and Crew Woody Strode Find on IMDB. On Fire (TV) (1987) Keyshawn Johnson Wants the N.F.L. to Remember Its 'Forgotten Four' Its such a disheartening rumor thats unfortunately made its way across the internet. The two became friends, and Ford later gave Wayne his breakthrough role in Stagecoach, the film that launched Wayne to Hollywood stardom. I read an article a few weeks ago about him being racist and I couldnt believe it. We need him!, In the end, Wayne told Strode: We gotta work together. A recently posed question casts a shadow on the otherwise pristine legacy of. Two teammates at UCLA were Jackie Robinson and Kenny Washington. He majored in history and education. 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. This man was the definition of a renaissance man, keep reading this article and you will understand exactly why. For Jims take on working with John Ford and the Uncle Remus incident, listen to his 1969 account below. Strode was a star in Italy, where he lived between 1969 and 1973. from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. Here's why. Jimmy Stewart voiced his support for this goal in a 16 second radio campaign that played the week of February 16-23, 1947. Jamie Greer joined LWOPW in 2015 and was the site's Managing Editor from 2016 through 2020. In 1946, Jimmy Stewart led a small group of stars who vocalized their support for brotherhood among all Americans. ", NEXT:Psych 2: Lassie Come Home: 10 Easter Eggs You Totally Missed. Its such a disheartening rumor, and Im so glad you did your own research and came across my article. Woody Strode movie reviews & film summaries | Roger Ebert. 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. Youre so right, Jims own words and actions prove that he was not racist. Though Woody usually means well, he's not always the most aware of what's going on in the world around him. Was Vera-Ellen Anorexic in White Christmas? Boot Hill | REMASTERED Full Comedy Movie - YouTube Lets not allow an unsubstantiated rumor to tarnish the reputation of one of the few Hollywood stars worthy of our complete respect and admiration. Then he asked Stewart to come over. All Rights Reserved. The Buccaneer (1958) Goal Dust: The Warm and Candid Memoirs of a Pioneer Black Athlete and You could smell the orange blossoms. She has been in love with all things film and television since she saw her first movie in theatres at 2.5 years old (Muppet Treasure Island, in case you were wondering). Thanks for reading! 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. Thank you for reading! 1995 Taylor & Francis, Ltd. best of friends ever since they were children, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home: 10 Easter Eggs You Totally Missed. Jimmy Stewart worked with several black actors and entertainers throughout his career, including Hal Williams, Woody Strode, Lillian Randolph, Jim hit it off particularly well with Duke Ellington during filming of 1959s. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. Woody Strode. No Time for Love (1943) The Pioneers is an on-going series looking at some of the earliest pioneers of professional wrestling as we know it, from the wrestlers to promoters to trainers who helped shape professional wrestling around the world. Released in 1960, when the U.S. was in the early stages of the Civil Rights Movement, the film confronted racial injustice head on. There's no easier way to put it: Woody is weird. His wrestling career? Colpo in canna (1975) 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. The Lion Hunters (1951) But then, towards the end of filming, the director asked the Ranse star what he made of Strodes costume for the beginning and the end of the film when their characters were portrayed as 25 years older. Thank you for bringing the evidence together. An Interview with Woody Strode - JSTOR Though he was a conservative unlike his friend Henry Fonda who was a liberal and despised racism, I doubt if their life long friendship wouldve lasted if Fonda discovered he had racist views. (A small role in 1941s Sundown marked his actual debut.) Jimmy Stewart voiced his support for this goal in a 16 second radio campaign that played the week of February 16-23, 1947. As James Stewart explained it, Woody Strode, the actor who was playing Waynes characters best friend, was part of the scene. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. The leader's evil brother is plotting to prevent the youthful heir from assuming his rightful position. Santa Barbara Coroner Woodrow "Woody" Strode may have been a late addition to the world ofPsych, but there's no denying that he's arguably one of the series' weirdest and most memorable characters. Jul 1: Money in the Bank Ravagers (1979) Just ask fans of the Calgary Stampeders. 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