The third 2019 movie in the Classic Movie Series in Bigfork is a
western classic that will keep your attention trying to figure out exactly what
happened and will happen. “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” has more twists
and turns than a cork screw with a flashback within a flashback. And the final
twist comes with the last line of the movie. The movie stars James Stuart and
John Wayne in roles which are very complicated and interesting. The film was
made in 1962 in black and white, while the whole industry was turning to color.
However, the paying audience certainly did not need color. It was the 16th highest
grossing film of 1962. It grossed 8 million dollars while costing 3.2 million
to produce. It got one Oscar nomination for costume design, won two Golden
Laurel Award Nominations, winning one, and in 2007 was added to the USA
National Film Registry. This Movie Classic will be
shown at the Edge Theater in Bigfork by Jack Nachbar. It will be accompanied by
Jack’s presentation providing a better understanding of the time period of the
movie. Date: Thursday March 14th. Time: 6:30PM. Price: FREE of
charge.
Director John Ford, said he shot the film in black and white
because ”In black and white, you’ve got to be very careful. You’ve got to
know your job, lay your shadows in properly, get your perspective right…” He
said he preferred it. But that’s only one of many speculations about the
lack of color. If you see the movie on the “big screen” in a darkened theater
you will also get a sense of the “film noir” quality of the story. For me
this fits the mood of the story best.
Coincidentally, the movie set was not always a happy place to
be. There was bickering on a number of fronts from the stars to the
director. When there is that much growling on a movie set, be it true or just
rumor, it probably involved money, publicity, and “billing” on the advertising.
That was the case here, and Jack will have to be the one to sort it all out
when he shows this one at the Edge.
Come and see a film that is a good movie, received lots of
audience support, and probably did not necessarily get the respect it should
have on Oscar night. Place: The Edge Center
