Recommended reading – The Searchers (1954, 2022)

The Searchers

by Alan Le May.

Filmed as The Searchers (1956), directed by John Ford.

Published by Harper & Brothers.

First published 1954.

ISBN-10: 0843961724

ISBN-13: 978-0843961720

 

Description:

On the Texas frontier, a Comanche war party attacks the Edwards ranch and kills all the inhabitants, except for the two girls carried away with them. In the name of civilization, a group of pioneers take off in hot pursuit, into a savage world of unexpected dangers, false hopes, and darkest despair.

The Searchers

by Edward Buscombe.

Published by British Film Institute.

Published 2022.

ISBN-10: 1839024690

ISBN-13: 978-1839024696

 

Description:

“The Searchers is an insightful analysis … Replete with a wealth of information on the production of The Searchers, and graced with thought-provoking commentary, Buscombe's book is a stimulating introduction to a great American film.”

– Journal of American Culture.

John Ford's masterpiece The Searchers (1956) was voted the seventh greatest film of all time in Sight & Sound's most recent poll of critics. Its influence on many of America's most distinguished contemporary filmmakers, among them Martin Scorsese, Paul Schrader, and John Milius, is enormous. John Wayne's portrait of the vengeful Confederate Ethan Edwards gives the film a truly epic dimension, as does his long and lonely journey into the dark heart of America. Edward Buscombe's insightful study provides a detailed commentary on all aspects of the film, drawing on material in the John Ford archive at Indiana University, including Ford's own memos and the original script, which differs in vital respects from the film he made, to offer new insights into the film's production history.

Born on this day – Mamie Smith:

Mamie Smith

Blues & Vaudeville singer

May 26, 1891 – September 16, 1946

Credits:

Albums:

All Legacy Masters (2014); All Night in Music (2015); Blue Woman (2023); Blues Essentials (2011); Blues Will Never Die (2014); Can Anyone See The Light (2015); Can't Be Satisfied - The 1920 Recordings (2023); Crazy Blues: The Best Of (2004); Essential Blues Masters (2013); Female Crazy Blues (Classic Mood Experience) (2013); I Found My Love Outside (2015); Last Tower's Bell (2016); Let Me Tell You - The 1921 Recordings (2023); Live Music (2022); Mamie Smith Vol. 1 (1920-1921) (2005); Mamie Smith Vol. 2 (1921-1922) (2005); Mamie Smith Vol. 3 (1922-1923) (2005); Mamie Smith Vol. 4 (1923-1942) (2005); Me Myself and My Songs (2016); Memories Suite (2015); Mem'ries of You, Mamie (2021); Music In My Hands (2015); My Happy Heaven (2016); My Jazzy Kiss (2021); Over the Top Blues Masterpieces (Remastered) (2014); Please Stay Somedays (2015); Presenting Mamie Smith (1920); Queen of the Blues (2015); The Groovin' Atmosphere (2015); The Immortal Blues Masters (2014); Unforgettable Sentimental Songs (2015); Wonderful Soundtrack (2016).

Movies and television:

A Huey P. Newton Story (2001); All You Need Is Love (1977); American Epic (2017); Because I Love You (1942); Beginners (2010); Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love (2022); Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music (1993); Jailhouse Blues (1929); Killers of the Flower Moon (2023); Murder on Lenox Avenue (1941); Paradise in Harlem (1939); Soul Power! (2013); Stolen Paradise (1940); Sunday Sinners (1940); The Blues (2003).

Born on this day – Dorothea Lange:

 

Dorothea Lange

Photographer

May 26, 1895 – October 11, 1965

Born on this day – Lesley Selander:

 

Lesley Selander

Director

May 26, 1900 – December 5, 1979

Born on this day – John Wayne:

John Wayne

Actor

May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979

Credits:

The Shootist (1976); Rooster Cogburn (1975); Brannigan (1975); Maude (1972); McQ (1974); Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973); Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968–1973); The Train Robbers (1973); Cancel My Reservation (1972); The Cowboys (1972); Big Jake (1971); Rio Lobo (1970); Swing Out, Sweet Land (1970); Chisum (1970); The Undefeated (1969); True Grit (1969); Hellfighters (1968); The Green Berets (1968); The War Wagon (1967); The Beverly Hillbillies (1962); El Dorado (1966); The Lucy Show (1966); Cast a Giant Shadow (1966); The Sons of Katie Elder (1965); In Harm's Way (1965); The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965); Circus World (1964); McLintock! (1963); Donovan's Reef (1963); How the West Was Won (1962); Alcoa Premiere (1961); The Longest Day (1962); Hatari! (1962); The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962); The Comancheros (1961); Wagon Train (1957); The Jack Benny Program (1950); North to Alaska (1960); The Alamo (1960); The Horse Soldiers (1959); Rio Bravo (1959); The Barbarian and the Geisha (1958); I Married a Woman (1958); Legend of the Lost (1957); Jet Pilot (1957); The Wings of Eagles (1957); The Searchers (1956); The Conqueror (1956); Screen Directors Playhouse (1955); I Love Lucy (1955); Blood Alley (1955); Casablanca (1955); Gunsmoke (1955); The Sea Chase (1955); The High and the Mighty (1954); Hondo (1953); Island in the Sky (1953); Trouble Along the Way (1953); Big Jim McLain (1952); The Quiet Man (1952); Flying Leathernecks (1951); Operation Pacific (1951); Rio Grande (1950); Sands of Iwo Jima (1949); The Fighting Kentuckian (1949); She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949); Wake of the Red Witch (1948); 3 Godfathers (1948); Red River (1948); Fort Apache (1948); Tycoon (1947); Angel and the Badman (1947); Without Reservations (1946); They Were Expendable (1945); Dakota (1945); Back to Bataan (1945); Flame of Barbary Coast (1945); Tall in the Saddle (1944); The Fighting Seabees (1944); In Old Oklahoma (1943); A Lady Takes a Chance (1943); Reunion in France (1942); Pittsburgh (1942); Flying Tigers (1942); In Old California (1942); The Spoilers (1942); Reap the Wild Wind (1942); Lady for a Night (1942); The Shepherd of the Hills (1941); Lady from Louisiana (1941); A Man Betrayed (1941); Seven Sinners (1940); The Long Voyage Home (1940); Three Faces West (1940); Dark Command (1940); Allegheny Uprising (1939); New Frontier (1939); Wyoming Outlaw (1939); Three Texas Steers (1939); The Night Riders (1939); Stagecoach (1939); Red River Range (1938); Santa Fe Stampede (1938); Overland Stage Raiders (1938); Pals of the Saddle (1938); Born to the West (1937); Adventure's End (1937); Idol of the Crowds (1937); I Cover the War! (1937); California Straight Ahead! (1937); Conflict (1936); The Sea Spoilers (1936); Winds of the Wasteland (1936); The Lonely Trail (1936); King of the Pecos (1936); The Lawless Nineties (1936); The Oregon Trail (1936); Lawless Range (1935); The New Frontier (1935); Westward Ho (1935); Paradise Canyon (1935); The Dawn Rider (1935); The Desert Trail (1935); Rainbow Valley (1935); Texas Terror (1935); 'Neath the Arizona Skies (1934); The Lawless Frontier (1934); The Trail Beyond (1934); The Star Packer (1934); Randy Rides Alone (1934); The Man from Utah (1934); Blue Steel (1934); West of the Divide (1934); The Lucky Texan (1934); Sagebrush Trail (1933); College Coach (1933); Riders of Destiny (1933); The Man from Monterey (1933); Baby Face (1933); His Private Secretary (1933); The Life of Jimmy Dolan (1933); Somewhere in Sonora (1933); Central Airport (1933); The Three Musketeers (1933); The Telegraph Trail (1933); Haunted Gold (1932); That's My Boy (1932); The Big Stampede (1932); Ride Him, Cowboy (1932); The Hurricane Express (1932); Lady and Gent (1932); Two-Fisted Law (1932); Texas Cyclone (1932); The Shadow of the Eagle (1932); Running Hollywood (1932); The Voice of Hollywood No. 13 (1932); Maker of Men (1931); The Deceiver (1931); The Range Feud (1931); Arizona (1931); Three Girls Lost (1931); Girls Demand Excitement (1931); The Big Trail (1930); Cheer Up and Smile (1930); Rough Romance (1930); Born Reckless (1930); Men Without Women (1930); The Forward Pass (1929); Salute (1929); Words and Music (1929); The Black Watch (1929); Speakeasy (1929); Noah's Ark (1928); Hangman's House (1928); A Home-Made Man (1928); Four Sons (1928); Seeing Stars (1927); The Drop Kick (1927); Mother Machree (1927); Annie Laurie (1927); The Draw-Back (1927); The Great K & A Train Robbery (1926); Bardelys the Magnificent (1926); Brown of Harvard (1926).

Born on this day – Papa Charlie McCoy:

Papa Charlie McCoy

Blues musician

Songwriter

May 26, 1909 – July 26, 1950

Credits:

Music:

Always In Love With You; Blue Heaven Blues; Charlie McCoy – Complete Recorded Works (1928-1932); Glad Hand Blues; Ha-Ha Blues; Hidin’ On Me; I’ve Been Blue Ever Since You Went Away; It Ain’t No Good – Part I; It Ain’t No Good – Part II; It Is So Good – Part 1; It Is So Good – Part 2; It’s Hot Like That; Last Time Blues; Mississippi I’m Longing For You; Staggering Blues; Sunset Waltz; Sweet Alberta; That Lonesome Train Took My Baby Away; The Northern Starvers Are Returning Home; Times Ain’t What They Used To Be; Too Long; Vicksburg Stomp; You Gonna Need Me; Your Valves Need Grinding.

Born on this day – Jill Dennett:

Jill Dennett

Actress

May 26, 1913 – March 14, 1969

Credits:

The Cowboy and the Blonde (1941); Street of Memories (1940); Manhattan Heartbeat (1940); Star Dust (1940); Broadway Serenade (1939); Dramatic School (1938); The Devil Is a Woman (1935); One More Spring (1935); The Merry Widow (1934); Treasure Island (1934); Straight Is the Way (1934); Shoot the Works (1934); Men in White (1934); Good Dame (1934); Wharf Angel (1934); Heat Lightning (1934); Radio Dough (1934); All of Me (1934); Sing Sinner Sing (1933); Picture Snatcher (1933); The Tenderfoot (1932); Two Seconds (1932); Union Depot (1932); How Comedies Are Born (1931); Bless the Ladies (1931); Under a Texas Moon (1930); Hotter Than Hot (1929).