I too grew up watching westerns on TV. Ward Bond was an extremely talented and under rated actor. His body of work proves it. Mr. Skinner you are also an extremely talented man. Your documentaries are as good (and better than most) as the big money directors are. Thank you sir for taking your time to educate and entertain your subscribers. .
He was extremely talented, but not underrated in my opinion (he had his own series for 8 years after all). John Wayne gave him his break, and he had a really successful career. What else could one hope for? From what I’ve read, however, he wasn’t well-liked on set due to his arrogance.
I grew up in the 1950's watching Wagon Train & all the Western shows. I especially loved Ward Bond & was very sad when he passed away so suddenly. Thanks Jerry for another sterling life story!
@@maggiemae7539 It's sad to see Ben left out in the credits of stars in several movies directed by John Ford. He was a regular in most later Wayne films. Ford had a regular cast of actors that he used in John Wayne films and Ben Johnson was one of them. He was always one of my fav actors in westerns. Landumuc goes there had a great storyline just like this one on Ben. Maybe it was Skinner? Maggie I looked it up. "Jerry Skinner, Ben son Johnson Oklahoma cowboy", 3 years ago if you're interested. It's a great story.
"Woman, Ireland may be a poor country, God help us. But here, a married man sleeps in a bed, and not a bag!" That was a great scene! He even got the say a few (very few haha) words in Irish.
Mr. Skinner, I just want you to know that every time I see that you have posted another video I’m like a little kid at Christmas time! I’ve watched every one of your documentaries over and over and I never get tired of them. Thank you for all your research and hard work bringing all of us the best documentaries of all time! God bless!
Jerry Skinner, you are THE story teller of the classics, nobody comes close! Your voice and way of telling catapults one into those days with a slight melancholy undercurrent. Thank you for your work!
Ward Bond is in so many fabulous films having the final word in The Maltese Falcon. Thank you very much for another bio on a very deserving man. A wonderful presentation Jerry thank you.
Just got through watching the 1945 movie “Dakota” with Ward Bond, John Wayne, Walter Brennan and named actors. Always liked Ward Bond, thanks for this video.
Ward Bond was a solid and very noticeable presence on screen. I am very pleased that you chose to highlight his contribution to films and gave details of his life here too. It was so very interesting to see how it all began for him and John Wayne. Well done Jerry Skinner..
I'm only 53, don't like all those older multi-generational B&W movies, but I love the nostalgia of Hollywood and it's behind scenes real life intrigue. Knowing how it got very seedy, is such drama and better than the movies itself or a novel. Seeing the dynastic families form and murder mysteries of Hollywood is so cool.
@@monahawk I concur. I never knew about the Barrymores until I researched Drew's drunkard dad, and his shortened star status. That is some interesting nostalgia, from Vaudeville's inception. Lot's of talent, but with the fame comes the shame.
Jerry, without a doubt your best biography. It brought me to tears. I love the Westerns and Wagon Train. You told the story as it was....great men and heroes of mine, thank you friend. Please keep this legacy going....for ever.
THANK YOU for taking the time to make this documentary about Ward Bond. He was so deserving. His characters are ALWAYS memorable in every movie he made. It’s unfortunate that Hollywood did not fully understand what a priceless treasure he was and utilize Ward more in movies, but I am grateful for the films we can remember him in today. He is without question on of my favorite actors.
Thank you Mr Jerry. I’ve been watching Wagon Train on ISPN and just love it. I especially like it when Mr Bond is the star. So happy I found it. It’s a great show …
Watched Wagon Train as a kid and loved it. Ward Bond was wonderful as grumpy Major Adams. Ward Bond was great friends with John Wayne. When Bond died Duke was in floods of tears according to his wife.
Yay - a new Jerry Skinner film. I LOVE Ward Bond. Did you know he was in a movie in 1937 with Joel McCrea and Humphrey Bogart called Dead End? He played a Concierge/Butler type and used to chase off the young boys in the movie who became known as the "Dead End Boys". Thanks for another great film Jerry ! Email me when you get a chance...
I've seen that film. Billy Wyler directed it. The Bowery Boys were a 'spin-off' so to speak, from that film, and Both Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall appeared in the picture. But the performance (very brief one) that I remember most was Marjorie Main's as Bogey's mother, reading him the riot act---"Get outta hereh...You're no good!" or something like that.
@@TheRealDrJoey Yes, as a mother, that was a bit gut wrenching to watch her dismiss her son like that, especially since it would be the last time she would see him alive. I've known people who have done that to someone and then been very sorry for it in only a matter of hours. Tragic.
@@JerrySkinner1943 This is my other channel / name on youtube Jerry - Mona Leigh is one and Monahawk is the other. Different computers - same person. ;o) Cheers!
Wagon Train was staple entertainment on the single 25" TV at our house and I remember when Ward Bond died as always THANK YOU MR.SKINNER you represent the clean wholesome entertainment that's getting IMPOSSIBLE to find and as always a reminder of a better day in the country that was
I remember being surprised at Ward Bond's age at the time of his passing. I thought he was much older than late 50's. I don't know if he had a hard life, but the aging process sure did seem accelerated to the point where he looked at least 10 years older than he actually was. He was a fine actor with a unique voice and presence.
He had a tough life and as Jerry pointed out, polio at an early age. Must have contributed to him "looking" older but I was surprised too - 57...way too young.
@@elliottschertzer876 You are right, John Wayne and he often drank all night long after the movie sets shut down for the day and got no or very little sleep. He was overweight, specially carrying extra weight around the middle(belly), which is bad for the heart. Hence he had a massive heart attack. He had a bad for his heath lifestyle.
He had extremely high blood pressure and was actively under a doctors care. He’d been warned to get his smoking & drinking under control and to get more rest or he was going to have a heart attack … He reportedly quipped that he was going to die somewhere, so what did it matter. How prophetic were those words??
Ward Bond was one of my favorite actors. Great as Seth Adams, the priest in Quiet Man, and the policeman in Its a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. I find it so sad that Ward died at 57 years old in 1960. He had so many more roles to act in if he had not passed away. John Ford had a belitting side to him but made so many great movies with the finest actors. The public lost so much when Ward Bond died. Thank you for your wonderful documentary. Hello from Yakima, Washington.
This is one of my favorite JS Documentaries; so heartfelt with lifetime deep friendships and overcoming adversities. Amazing how much one person touches so many lives and even when there are conflicts, there are bigger hearts to overcome the differences
Well Jerry, you did it again my friend, this brought tears to my eyes. It was emotional for me to watch this incredible documentary. I’ve watched every movie that John Wayne and Ward Bond was in. Even John’s last movie The Shootist he mentioned Bonds last name. Lauren Bacall used his name as her first name in the movie “Bond”. Thank you again Jerry for this very emotional trip for me. You are excellent at what you do. Look forward to your next documentary, keep em coming. Augie Blase, Winter Springs Florida 🤠
Wonderful biography Jerry. Those men were just bigger than life, can’t think of anyone today you could compare them with. I hadn’t seen any of your videos on my feed in quite awhile, was so happy to see this. I think Utube messes around with our feeds. Thanks Jerry, loved it.
Love Ward Bond. He delivered some great lines; "Did I catch you that day, I'd have set your sun. That's the last morning you'd ever seen." (from "Hondo" 1953) and "And if you don't hear my first holler, you better read my mind. 'cause I don't aim to raise no two hollers on any subject at hand!" (from "The Searchers" (1956). He was in 21 movies in 1939! Blessings!
He died exactly one month after I was born. I've never forgot that after I found out. I try to pay homage to him every November 5th on Facebook. He was a wonderful actor.
Thank you. I remember watching Wagon Train, and the other westerns, with our family sitting close together in our little house. At that time, there was a good western on each night. Precious memories of childhood. You do great work!
I watch Wagon Train every morning. I never cared for westerns until a few years ago. Although it was on in my earlier life I didn't care for series westerns but I did love big screen westerns. The series has great morals and honors God.
That was Terrific, Jerry Skinner and a very well narrated Tribute too a very Talented though under appreciated Actor? Who we all just said Ward Bond, or Col. Adams of Wagon Train, Fame. Because even in the latter stages of his Career!! We all knew him like he was a member of our Families. Say like an Uncle, or Cousin. When you saw Him acting out his scenes, and roles? You could tell he put an awful lot of Heart into his Characters. He was a good example of those Golden Years, of Hollywood. As you mentioned about Mr John Ford's, notorious personality, and gruff, if not SOB reputation? His film Family, and other's who knew Him, were all loyal till the End toward Him. Thank You again Jerry for that Tribute. Wyoming, Robert, 🇨🇦🇺🇲🇨🇦🇺🇲👀👀😎😎👍👍🙏🙏
Jerry as usual you have created a GREAT video. I always look forward to seeing any of your videos. I'm in my sixys I have see most of the videos you make. It takes me back everytime. I take my hat off to you...Thank You
I just want to say I enjoyed 100% your programs you have been doing over the last several you do you do an excellent job you go into great detail and I am very satisfied after each program keep up the good work
Mr Skinner, I can't even begin to be able to thank you for the excellent documentaries that you do. Your talent in sharing the larger than life people of a bygone era fills a yearning in my soul for the Real people that have long gone. Wish you the absolute best! Keep sharing those memories with those of us that know full well how to appreciate and enjoy them!
Wow, Jerry,.....you knocked this one out of the park. Wonderful presentation. That final photo of the funeral speaks volumes. Of course, Wagon Train was standard fare when I was a youngster. The Searchers is on my short list of favorite westerns. Not a perfect film....but a masterpiece nevertheless. Big performances in there, and wonderful filming.
I get excited when I see the alert for your videos! Always great content and well put together. Thank you so much for all you do and I look forward to many more!😀
Another great video Mr. Skinner. I grew up watching John Wayne Westerns with my grandpa so that is where I mostly know Ward Bond from. I guess I didn't recognize him in Gone With The Wind. He had a alot of acting roles.
Dear Sir, need to tell you that you have the most perfect voice in your work. It is soothing and melts right into the subject so well that it is a true pleasure just listening to your voice. You're the best in the business Sir!
Thank you Mr. Skinner for all the great entertainment with your vlogs over the years....from 2 seniors as I am in my 60's Mom is is 95. We enjoy the memories. I have to get my daughter who is now in her 30's to watch some of these old classic movies with the best actors of all time with me.
