Richard Harris and Sally Kellerman presenting Ben Johnson with the Oscar® for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "Last Picture Show" at the 44th Academy Awards® in 1972. Introduced by Alan King.
Ben Johnson was one of the best western actors EVER. A true cowboy and genuine talent , always believable in any role...... a true master of his craft !
Ben was the real deal, and anybody who met him sensed that immediately. So genuinely nice to see somebody up on that stage that didn't let success, money, awards, or Hollywood turn him into an asshole.
I love how genuinely happy everyone seems that Ben Johnson won. Including his competition, look at the smiles on both Jeff Bridges and Roy Scheider when they say Ben's name, it's so genuine. He definitely deserved it. On top of being one of the greatest western character actors of all time he was brilliant in the Last Picture Show.
Richard Jaeckel and Ben Johnson worked together twice on westerns including "Chisum" with John Wayne and "The Red Pony". Interestingly, Jaeckel and Jeff Bridges would co-star together in Starman in 1984, which Bridges received yet another Oscar nomination for.
He truly was a gentleman from Oklahoma, raised on a ranch, and didn't believe in cursing and refused to curse in anything he acted. Married to the same woman all of his married life and had no children.
Love Ben Johnson ! But. Believe me. Anyone at any time or decade is thrilled to win an Oscar. Even though it’s insane to have the awards to begin with. At the end of the day -- it’s all opinions. No facts. But fun and a thrill To win no doubt ! Cheers
The fact that Ben thanked Peter Bogdanovich and his wife, the always deserving Polly Platt, while Bogdanovich is sitting in the audience with his mistress, Cybill Shepherd is just gangsta for me
Actually, Ben said, "It couldn't have happened to a nicer "feller!"! He was SO FABULOUS, so genuine, and he never changed!!! Hollywood didn't change him, he was always the same "good old Oklahoma boy " until the day he died!!!!
Oklahoma reduces some of the best folks in the USA. So many entertainers seem cut from the same mold as Will Rogers. They would have liked one another.
Ben Johnson is probably one of the best western actors of all time I put him right beside John Wayne Henry Fonda Jimmie Stewart. He was a true to life cowboy and Heaven got a great man.
I'm so pleased he did The Wild Bunch because although Holden was the star it became an ensemble cast and i think Ben had even more screen time than Holden.He also had more screen time than Duke on The Train Robbers.Not bad for a cowboy who delivered a herd of cows to Hollywood and got a movie contract in the process
I remember when Son past away our town was in morning for 1 of our own. Tom selleck, Sam Elliot, Grizzly Adams was there for his funeral and many more. He usually came back home every few years it wasn't unusual to see him at our local restaurant's eating with family and friends. He was always kind and would very graciously give autographs whenever anyone ask him for one. He is someone we are all proud that he came from our part of Oklahoma . Rest in peace Son, and I bet your riding good horses up there to.
When Ben was first given the script for LPS he turned it down flat because he didn't like the language his character spoke. He was very touchy about four letter words in movies. John Ford asked Ben if he'd do the picture as a favor to him. So Ben obligingly went through the script again and rewrote all of his lines himself and cleaned out everything he felt was objectionable. That's the way he played it and it still won him a well deserved Oscar.
I believe he was the first to “sweep” , winning the BAFTA, the Golden Globe and the Oscar. He also had won the New York Film Critics and the National Board of Review. Back then, that was pretty much it !
Ben also was a really, really good friend of Duke's. They were making "The Train Robbers" when he was nominated for an academy award. Duke loaned him his plane to go to the Academy Awards. Ben was the ONLY cowboy who EVER won a World Championship in the rodeo and won as Oscar in the movies!!!!! For more, read "Duke We're Glad We Knew You."
Ben Johnson earned that Oscar. The scene with Timothy Bottoms at the water tank sealed the deal. He was the real deal and became a fine actor and true gentleman. That's a hell of a movie. I've been to Archer City, Texas. It hasn't changed much since 1970-71, and probably not changed too radically since the 1950s. Sadly, the picture show burned and has a gaping hole in it. The marquee, ticket counter and a few other things still stand.
Brought here by the latest episode of YMRT about Polly Platt. Gotta love a man who name checks the director’s wife (and uncredited producer) when said director brings his mistress to the award ceremony.
Many actors learn to ride/control horses from Ben...He was the best rider in Hollywood from stories I read on him...Never saw him in a bad movie as well...
this is how you accept an award..modern award shows how now become a platform to make statements on equality or politics ..a very classy speech from a very classy guy..much missed and i hope he is resting in peace he deserves too for briniging a lot of joy to a lot of people
A QUESTION TO EVERYONE ABOUT BEN JOHNSON: What made him such a mans man? Such a nice fella but simultaneously sooo well respected! Not many a man been able to figure it out and execute this mans energy. What a guy!
Any other year he would have probably been the front runner. "Sometimes A Great Notion" is a terrific and forgotten film. I grate a little at its anti union sentiment, unusual for Kesey, but with a film that great, I can compartmentalize it.
John Ford first noticed him on the set of an old time western. He was pure poetry on horseback. From there they discovered his wonderful presence in front of the camera!
One of my favorite western actors, “Son”, Johnson. My first conscience recollection of him was when I was about twenty six years old and finally sat through the movie Shane. And although the movie ending was different from the book, Mr. Johnson’s portrayal of “Chris”, stuck with me up to when I saw the younger Ben Johnson in Rio Grande. And that was the movie that made me sit up and take notice of what a horseman he was, outstanding! After that I tried to watch anything and every movie or old episode of television that he was in. And I agree, no one could play Ben Johnson.
I was a kid in the 60's ( born 1957) and my family lived not far from Hollywood in La Habra Heights. My Dad worked in pictures and I first met Ben when I was very young. He seemed like a giant to my little brother and I and I'll never forget the kindly way he joked and played with us. My Grandpa and uncles were horsemen, owned horses, and Ben would drop by and with my Dad they'd all have drinks together and pretty soon the BS stories would start flying. Helluva guy.
when I saw BEN JOHNSON IN SHANE I knew he was quality,all the way,one of the best damn cowboys who ever lived and he was right,he deserved it for a lifetime of making everyone else look good
such a beautiful film and performance.. he won it for that monlogue in the field when the sun came out from behind the clouds and illuminated him and his words so magnificently!
Ben Johnson goes back in Rodeo with Jim Shoulders, Casey Tibbs and Neal Gay. Went to hollywood and a Cowboy won an Oscar. Gods Speed to Mr. Johnson. If he aint a Cowboy, He will do till one gets here.
2:20 He thanked "Peter Bogdanovich, his lovely wife Polly...", while Eric was there with Cybil Shepherd whom he soon left her for. Polly Platt was the unsung hero behind Peter's early films as Production Designer.
@@ADAMSIXTIES I know what you mean by the akwardness of Ben thanking Peter's lovely wife Polly while the director's affair with Cybil was in full bloom!
I REMEMBER THAT NIGHT, I REMEMBER I WAS SO HAPPY BEN WON, AND I REMEMBER THAT LAST STATEMENT B/C I'VE QUOTED IT OFTEN (CREDITING IT TO HIM). WONDERFUL FELLER.
Unlike the town he worked in there was nothing phoney about Ben. I agree, he could have been on camera longer for this role, but it could not have gone to a more consumate professional. Married to one woman his entire life, no scandals, no personal drama, and a genuine cowboy to boot. RIP Ben.
There is absolutely nothing 'phoney' about Ben Johnson. I probably have watched every movie he was even in. I wish Sam Elliott Tom Selluk and Jeff Osterhage would make a new western movie 'Return of the Sacketts' and dedicate it to Ben Johnson. I think if I ever won a super lotto; I would put up the money myself. All three actors are all in good health and they would make a lot of people very happy.
@Ronald Hess I would agree with you.....but being that Ben grew up around horses.....made him a natural....another actor who came to horses later in life and deserves a lot of credit for his riding ability is Audie Murphy.....I would rate him one small step behind Ben......
Ben Johnson was a world champion rodeo rider, but found that the expense of being world champ exceeded the money he made. Howard Hughes hired him to take a load of horses to Phony City. When he got there, he learned that Hollywood was always looking for real cowboys, so the simple, humble Okie stayed, and became the greatest horseman in town. He started out as a stunt rider, and eventually they gave him brief roles with lines. It turned out he had acting talent, not to mention a rich, baritone voice. He appeared in a number of masterpieces, but also gave excellent performances in lesser pictures. Masterpieces She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) Shane (1953) The Wild Bunch (1969) He broke with John Ford early in his career, because Jack took a liking to him, and if Jack Ford liked a man, he abused him. Johnson told Ford to go to hell. Ben Johnson lived like the motto in The Shootist: He didn’t abuse people, and didn’t tolerate abuse. He won a richly deserved Oscar for The Last Picture Show (1971), as Sam the Lion, the town bard. In 1973, as G-man Melvin Purvis, he turned the Warren Oates vehicle, Dillinger, into a grand dramatic duet. In 1974, in The Sugarland Express, he made for a memorably dirty cop. I could listen to Ben Johnson read from the telephone book.
I forgot about Dillinger. Ben and Warren Oats were terrific in that one. They were on opposite sides of the law, unlike in The Wild Bunch, as the Gorch bros. I gotta watch Dillinger again, loved it as a kid.
Every actor gave a memorable performance in The Last Picture Show. Truly an ensemble cast. As for Richard Harris, it’s interesting that Julie Andrews disliked him so much that she refused to do the Camelot movie if he was in it.
Dave, that's because she had a horrible experience working with him on Hawaii (1966). His drunken rages on the set reminded her of her stepfather, Ted Andrews. Her stepfather was a mean drunk. That's why refused to be in the Camelot (1967) when told Richard Harris was gonna play King Arthur.
Ben Johnson showed class when he referred to Polly Platt as Peter’s lovely wife. Like her or not, Polly went through what must have felt like a nightmare on that film set. I don’t even know if Polly was in attendance after playing such a critical role in the making of the film.
He was far more than an actor to my mind, from what I read, he was an exceptional great horseman & individual. "The Last Picture Show" was one of the best movies ever I think
Notice he thanks Bogdanovich's "lovely wife Polly". Bogdanovich had left her during filming of LPS for Cybill Shepherd, so I think that was a very kind and clever shout-out, to recognize her for her filmmaking creds but also as B's wife.
@@eddie12454 Both of those are majestic westerns. One Eyed Jacks and The Wild Bunch are two of the best westerns of all time. Imho. Ben Johnson was born to be in western films.
