[On the base of the John Ford statue]:
John Ford, Director
- "I Make Westerns"
Born: John Martin Feeney, 2-1-1894
Died: John Ford, 8-31-1973
Portland High School Class of 1914
Married Mary McBride Smith of North Carolina, 1920- From Laurinburg, NC
[inscription here also contains the logo of the Daughters of the American Revolution]
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy
Nataninez / Tall Soldier - Navajo Nation
The gift of this statue to the citizens of Portland Maine, the United States of America, and the Ford descendants by Mrs Linda Noe Lane of Monroe, Louisiana is in grateful memory of her friendship and respect for Mary and John Ford. Dedicated July 12, 1998.
["Oscar" Marker Stone 1]:The Informer
(1935)John Ford received his first Academy Award for direction in this I.R.A. story of friendship, betrayal, guilt and redemption set in 1922 in Dublin, Ireland.
A landmark film in the early sound era and the first to win 5 major Academy Awards. Ford's stylistic impressionism with its use of shadow, tempo and subjectivity make this a film classic.
["Oscar" Marker Stone 2]:The Grapes of Wrath
(1940)This cinema masterpiece adapted from John Steinbeck's novel is the definitive portrayal of the Great Depression in America and the common man's struggle.
Ford's humane characterization of the Joad family's plight and trek to California is presented in a documentary style with social concern and "hope for our people." The film earned Ford his second Academy Award.
["Oscar" Marker Stone 3]:How Green Was My Valley
(1940)The film was the recipient of six Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director. It was a sentimental memory story of a Welsh mining family and its eventual disintegration.
Ford's choreographed scenes, choral background music and ritualized depiction of family loss and social change in the modern industrial age was superb.
["Oscar" Marker Stone 4]:The Battle of Midway
(1942)As chief of the field photographic branch of the O.S.S., Navy Commander John Ford and his crew were responsible for filming many of the battles of World War II.
This authentic, stirring film of the battle, documenting the turning point in the Pacific Theatre won the Academy Award for best documentary. It was, according to Ford, "a film for the mothers of America."
["Oscar" Marker Stone 5]:December 7th
(1943)John Ford earned his fifth Oscar for this documentary detailing the United States Navy's comeback after the devastation of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Homage was paid to the soldiers from different services, different regions and different racial origins. The film affirmed a "we are all Americans" theme.
["Oscar" Marker Stone 6]:The Quiet Man
(1952)John Ford's courtship love story celebrated the heritage and customs of his family's native Ireland, earning him his sixth Oscar.
With Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne as its principal actors, the movie was gloriously filmed in Technicolor and scored with traditional Irish songs. The film was a joyous return to the land and family and continues to be his most popular film.
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