Ep #61 - Andrew Sarris's 60s Pick: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Cinema60

Continuing our series of posthumous interviews, Cinema60 summons up Andrew Sarris from beyond the grave to talk about one of his favorite films: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Best known for having popularized the auteur theory to the English speaking world, Sarris was a powerhouse film critic in the 1960s who wrote primarily for The Village Voice.

In this episode, Bart and Jenna discuss Sarris’ career and his unique voice in the world of film criticism before they get lost in a tangle of wildly differing opinions on the John Ford film of the hour. See, Jenna rides into town with a specific view on how things should be going down in this film, while Bart, with decades of teaching and rewatching experience, defends its honor in a more traditional way. Then Lee Marvin gets shot in the crossfire and everything really goes to hell!

The following film is discussed:
• The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
Directed by John Ford
Starring John Wayne, James Stewart, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin, Edmond O'Brien, Andy Devine, Ken Murray, John Carradine, Jeanette Nolan, John Qualen, Woody Strode, Strother Martin, Lee Van Cleef
Also mentioned:

• The Informer (1935)
Directed by John Ford
Starring Victor McLaglen, Heather Angel, Preston Foster

• Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939)
Directed by Frank Capra
Starring James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains

• Stagecoach (1939)
Directed by John Ford
Starring John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine

• The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
Directed by John Ford
Starring Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine

• The Long Voyage Home (1940)
Directed by John Ford
Starring John Wayne, Thomas Mitchell, Ian Hunter

• They Were Expendable (1945)
Directed by John Ford
Starring Robert Montgomery, John Wayne, Donna Reed

• Fort Apache (1948)
Directed by John Ford
Starring John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple

• 3 Godfathers (1948)
Directed by John Ford
Starring John Wayne, Pedro Armendáriz, Harry Carey Jr.

• She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
Directed by John Ford
Starring John Wayne, Joanne Dru, John Agar

• Rio Grande (1950)
Directed by John Ford
Starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Ben Johnson

• Winchester ‘73 (1950)
Directed by Anthony Mann
Starring James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea

• High Noon (1952)
Directed by Fred Zinnemann
Starring Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Thomas Mitchell
• The Hanging Tree (1959)
Directed by Delmer Daves
Starring Gary Cooper, Maria Schell, Karl Malden