THE WESTERN HENRY FONDA

Raised: Born in Grand Island, Nebraska, his father was advertising-printing jobber. As a six-foot shy teenager, he left for school at the University of Minnesota to major in journalism. When he returned home he got involved with the Omaha Community Playhouse. There he worked with Marlon Brando's mother, Dodie Brando.

Western Awards: He was nominated for an Emmy on his performance in the television movie The Red Pony (1973).

Interesting Western Fact: During the filming of Mister Roberts (1955), Fonda refused direction of John Ford. In response to this, Ford sucker punched him and was removed from directing the film. This event ended a twenty year friendship, that created many western classics.

My Favorite Western: Drums Along the Mohawk (1939). Fonda did this picture the same year as the classic Young Mr. Lincoln. Both films were directed by John Ford and have stood the test of time. What I love about this film is its portrayal of the struggling pioneer and its patriotism.

Gil: If I can get in the clear, there isn't an Indian living that can catch me.

Fonda is one of those who could express his lines through his whole body. When he does talk, he takes his lines nice and slow. Anthony Quin said of Fonda, that he performed from his soul and not just his face. Each character he played embodied these characteristics and yet each one was different than the other. His mid-western accent was one of the first clues for studios to place him in westerns. Also at times he could add a certain raspy texture during intense moments that mesmerized the audience.

One other interesting fact that I didn't mention above is on The Ox-Bow Incident (1943). If you've seen this film you know that its about a lawless hanging. When Fonda was a young boy his father took him to the lynching of an African-American. His father didn't tell him where they were going or explain the event as they did it. He let his son decide how he felt and this event forever solidified in the young heart of Fonda. Can you imagine the emotions he felt during the making of this film later in his life.

The classic scene from The Ox-Bow Incident (1943).