Thread by @Lauren66793666

#BOTD 1894 – 1973 John Ford, (b. Feeney), 79, US filmmaker.

His father was born in County Galway in 1854. His mother, Barbara Curran, was born in the Aran Islands. The Feeneys emigrated to America in 1872, and John was born in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, one of eleven children.

#BOTD 1894 – 1973 John Ford, 79, US filmmaker.

He began his career after moving to California in 1914, following his older brother Francis a vaudeville and silent film actor,. Francis eventually created his own production company for Universal and John became an assistant.

#BOTD 1894 – 1973 John Ford, 79, US filmmaker.

He directed his first film Tornado in 1917. In 1920 he left his brother at Universal, to work for Fox Films. In 1928 he directed his first all-talking film short, and the following year his first talkie feature, The Black Watch.

#BOTD 1894 – 1973 John Ford, 79, US filmmaker.

Up River (1930) * Lost Patrol * The Informer * Prisoner of Shark Island * Plough and Stars * The Hurricane * Stagecoach * Young Mr Lincoln * Drums Along the Mohawk * Grapes of Wrath * How Green Was My Valley * My Darling Clementine

#BOTD 1894 – 1973 John Ford, 79, US filmmaker.

WW2 service: #USNavy Commander - 11th Naval District * USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) * Battle of the Midway (WIA) * Battle of Normandy. Medals: The Legion of Merit * Purple Heart * Meritorious Service Medal * World WW2 Victory Medal

#BOTD 1894 – 1973 John Ford, 79, US filmmaker.

WW2 films: The Battle of the Midway (1942 Oscar) * Torpedo Squadron (1942) * December 7th (1943 Oscar) * We Sail at Midnight (1943) * How to Operate Behind Enemy Lines (1943 training film for OSS) * They Were Expendable (1945)

#BOTD 1894 – 1973 John Ford, 79, US filmmaker.

Fort Apache * She Wore a Yellow Ribbon * Wagon Master * Rio Grande * Quiet Man * Mogambo * Mister Roberts * Searchers * Sergeant Rutledge * Man Who Shot Liberty Valance * How West Was Won * Cheyenne Autumn * 7 Women (1966)