The Plot Thickens

At the height of his powers, John Ford directs his masterpiece, an anti-racist Western called The Searchers. It’s a movie of contradictions: John Wayne plays the hero, but he's driven by hate and revenge. He’s searching for his niece, with the intent to kill her. Behind the scenes, Ford continues to use Monument Valley as a generic backdrop for the West without once acknowledging that it’s sacred Navajo land. And while Ford considered himself a friend to the Navajos, his portrayal of Native Americans is fraught with stereotypes. But these damaging images were used in service of creating a complex, fascinating film that dared to condemn bigotry and has mesmerized generations of film fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After D-Day, Ford goes on a historic bender then heads home... not to Hollywood but to Monument Valley, a secluded land with incredible scenery. There, he creates his own kingdom, a place he can work and create art without being under the thumb of studio executives. His stock company follows him from film to film, and Ford rewards his loyal subjects, but he’s not a kind ruler. He mercilessly picks on actors and pits them against each other, sometimes in the cruelest ways possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Ben traces the mystery of John Ford's missing D-Day documentary. The one time Ford talked about it, he claimed it was buried in a government film vault, too disturbing for public view. This sends Ben on a globe-trotting journey, following clues in the US, England and Russia. He encounters fellow seekers, as well as skeptics who question whether the footage was lost in battle… or if Ford made the whole thing up. But when new evidence comes to light, Ben's quest takes him to an unexpected final stop, where new revelations await. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join a fascinating journey as a filmmaker's military adventure unfolds, starting with an unusual assignment to create a sex ed film for soldiers. Experience the chaos of combat as he transitions from the camera to the battlefield, nurtured back to health by none other than John Wayne. Witness his films, including an Oscar-winning piece on Midway, reshape wartime perception, while touching on friendship amidst the struggles of documenting the human cost of war. The complex bond of duty and artistry shines through in a gripping narrative.

In this lively discussion, John Wayne, the legendary actor known for his iconic roles in Westerns, shares intriguing anecdotes about his friendship with director John Ford. They dive into life aboard the yacht Araner, where camaraderie flourished among Hollywood stars like Henry Fonda. Wayne reflects on the making of the groundbreaking film 'Stagecoach' and the complex dynamics with Ford, whose domineering style shaped their collaboration. He also touches on themes of masculinity in Ford's films and their tumultuous yet creative relationship.

John Ford, a legendary filmmaker known for over 100 movies and his iconic Westerns, shares his fascinating journey from a troubled youth in Maine to Hollywood stardom. He recounts his deep connection to his Irish roots and the impact of a life-changing trip to Ireland. Ford's storytelling reveals the ups and downs of his early struggles, a pivotal bond with brother Francis, and his unorthodox filmmaking methods, such as the audacious productions in the Nevada desert. His collaboration with John Wayne also showcases the dynamic between a director and his muse.

Meet John Ford, the curmudgeon with an eyepatch who just happened to be the greatest filmmaker of the 20th Century. Ford was a bully and a drunk who ruled Hollywood for five decades, making dozens of seminal movies – though he was incredibly hard to pin down. His behavior swung wildly from loyalty to cruelty, without notice. He won more Oscars than any director in history, but never showed up to accept an award. And he rewrote American history, painting the country with images so beautiful that people wished they were real. John Ford defined the attitudes of his time, ideas about masculinity and heroism that we're still grappling with today. Join host Ben Mankiewicz for a new season of The Plot Thickens, starting June 6. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While we're hard at work on the next season of The Plot Thickens, we're excited to share Ben Mankiewicz's new podcast, Talking Pictures. The first guest on Talking Pictures is writer director Nancy Meyers (Something’s Gotta Give, It’s Complicated, The Holiday). Recorded at her home, Meyers talks about casting Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, getting script advice from Sunset Boulevard director Billy Wilder, and what it’s like to become famous for her interiors. Spoiler: it’s frustrating! Nancy Meyers also answers our Super 8 questionnaire and reveals which film had her running from the theater in absolute terror. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re sharing a bonus episode from our friends at American Masters: Creative Spark, the PBS podcast that goes in-depth with an iconic artist about the creation of a single work. This episode is about John Waters, a filmmaker who loves to break the rules and make you laugh along the way. The iconoclast has been doing just that over the past six decades with provocative and perverse films like Pink Flamingos, Hairspray, and Female Trouble. Now enshrined as the king of transgressive cinema, Waters breaks down the creative process behind his first novel, Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance.This episode includes derogatory epithets used in an artistic context. Listener discretion advised. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Film scholars Racquel Gates and Donald Bogle detail the rise and fall of Blaxploitation, and how Pam Grier transcended the genre and stayed iconic for decades afterwards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices