> Books He majored in history and education. I almost fell for that rumor , but to just listen to Mr. Stewarts interview i know in my heart that he was not a racist. In 1941, he began working as a professional wrestler, and in 1946, he and Washington became the first two African-American football players to play in the NFL, when they signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Youre so right, Jims own words and actions prove that he was not racist. Frye admits as much at the end of the quote. Woody Strode weighed 205 lbs (92 kg) when playing. After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. In 1990, Strodes autobiography, Goal Dust, was published. That doesnt sound like a racist! Il Giustiziere del Bronx (1989) The Harder They Fall, the Black Western in theaters now and on Netflix on Nov. 3, owes a tip of the Stetson to Woody Strode, one of the NFLs first Black players (he signed briefly with the Los Angeles Rams in 1946), who later found a niche playing strong, silent types in Westerns. But when it came to shooting 1962s The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance with Duke and Jimmy Stewart on the Paramount lot, the director opted for black and white instead. They broke the NFLs modern colour barrier the year before, suiting up for the Los Angeles Rams. Thanks for your kind words, and for reading Damon! Jan. 3, 1995 12 AM PT. Munn says Frank Sinatra made him an honorary member of the Rat Pack after the two sang duets together for a laugh. Munn says he regrets turning down a marriage proposal from the beautiful Lynne Frederick, the tortured widow of Peter Sellers, and that Steve McQueen opened up to him on a secret four day motorcycle off-roading excursion. Woody Strode, the six-foot-four pioneering athlete turned movie star, was born in 1914, in South Central Los Angeles, to Black and Native American parents. After Gus and Shawn are implicated in yet another murder scene, they scramble to cover up the evidence which Woody is already all too keenly aware of. RELATED:10 Witty Buddy Comedies To Watch If You Love 'Psych'. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. All Rights Reserved. According to Strode, John Ford then called the whole cast and crew over, and twisted the comment into something Jimmy Stewart never said. Race is not a factor in the world market, he said in a 1982 interview with the Globe and Mail. A recently posed question casts a shadow on the otherwise pristine legacy of Jimmy Stewart. Shalako (1968) No smog because few people could afford cars in those days. And, as my article highlights, Hal Williams was not fired from The Jimmy Stewart Show. If Jim had an issue with casting a black actor, why was Williams not fired? Washington and Strode? Find on Wikipedia. It took skill to do that fight scene without actually hurting myself or hurting Douglas., Kirk Douglas faces off with Woody Strode in Spartacus, He left for Italy in 1969, frustrated with the lack of meaty roles as an African-American. In his role as the Coroner (and later Assistant Coroner) for the Santa Barbara Police Department, Woody often gets far too involved and far too close for comfort with all of the dead bodies that come his way. And he said loudly, We have an actor here who objects to the costume on Woody Strode. He then proceeded to suggest that Stewart was prejudiced Strode, who also has since died, was African-American and added that he just wanted to share Stewarts objection to Strodes costume with the whole cast. Blacks usually sat at the back of the bus. Hal Kanter is our only primary source to say that Jimmy had an issue with the casting of Hal Williams. 20072023 Blackpast.org. link] that first sparked rumors about the beloved stars beliefs. Thank you for more information for understanding. The Alleged Woody Strode Interview Michael Munn's dangerous habit of mixing truth with exaggeration and fallacy calls his alleged interview with Woody Strode into question. Greg Oliver has been writing about pro wrestling since 1985, and is the author of wrestling books: The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Storytellers (with Steven Johnson), The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes & Icons (with Steven Johnson and Mike Mooneyham); The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels (with Steven Johnson); The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams (also with Johnson); The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Canadians; SLAM! Additionally, the. Apr 2: WWE WrestleMania When we won, we all got drunk. He had not a problem with a white guy playing the police officer giving Jimmys character a tongue-lashing. Strode is perhaps best remembered as the stoic slave gladiator in Spartacus (1960) who tells Kirk Douglas: I dont want to be your friend. but i had also read the story of him sticking up for Strode, so I didnt know what to believe. Stewart was a political conservative and product of his time and had issues with racial advancement and equality. For Jims take on working with John Ford and the Uncle Remus incident, listen to his 1969 account below. According to Kanter, Jim erroneously believed that black actor Hal Williams had been cast as a police officer in an episode where there would be a cop lashing into the professor [Jimmys] character.. Genghis Khan (1965) One of the most memorable episodes ofPsych is "Last Night Gus," which allows the series to payhomage toThe Hangover. May he forever RIP. Pompey actor Woody Strode remembered that Ford kept needling Duke about his failure to make it as afootballplayer, comparing him to Strode who was a former NFL player. For nearly two decades he remained a pioneer against racism in the film and television industry. He would retire from pro football after that first season. TIMES STAFF WRITER. In the trailer, Jim, Van Johnson, Shirley Temple, Eddie Cantor, Jennifer Jones, Ingrid Bergman, Walter Pidgeon, Katharine Hepburn, and Edward G. Robinson encouraged Americans to stand together in support of freedom for all, a message particularly relevant in the wake of World War II. Your email address will not be published. He had a problem with a black guy doing that. Here's why. His wrestling career lasted until 1960, but by 1952, Strode had started getting movie parts. Thanks for your kind words, and for reading! Reviews. Besides marking Calgarys first Grey Cup championship, the 1948 game proved to be a turning point in Grey Cup lore as well. Additionally, the director kept mocking Wayne for not enlisting in World War II, which made the star feel guilty in his later years. > Gaming Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Lee Marvin was impressed by Jimmys impassioned response: I liked Jimmy before that incident, but after it, I liked him a whole lot more.. The Sins of Rachel Cade (1961) I just started to do it full-time in 1951.. After being cut by the Rams after just a season, Strode headed north to Canada, where he suited up for the Calgary Stampeders. Aka: We Are No Angels Michael Munns dangerous habit of mixing truth with exaggeration and fallacy calls his alleged interview with Woody Strode into question. As they were preparing to shoot, Ford came up to Stewart and asked, What do you think of Woodys costume?. Spartacus (1991) He lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and son. It is known that Stewart made racist remarks about people in Vietnam, and he also strongly campaigned for Barry Goldwater in 1964 after the senator had voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Woody has appeared in key roles in bothPsych the Movie andPsych 2: Lassie Come Home, but it's one particular moment in the first film that ranks at the top of the list when it comes to his best quotes. But after reading your entire article I know Mr. Stewart was a decent human being and my admiration for him has grown after reading your article. Noi non siamo angeli (1975) Working with quarterback Keith Spaith, he excelled as a receiver, and did double duty on the defensive side as an end as the Stamps compiled an unbeaten record. The filmmaker would ask his Western star: How rich did you get while Jimmy was risking his life?, According to Michael Munns John Wayne The Man Behind The Myth, Strode said that the directors constant ridiculing really p***ed Wayne off, but he would never take it out on Ford., The reason being that the filmmakers movies had made him a Hollywood star and the Pompey actor claimed: He ended up taking it out on me.. Then he asked Stewart to come over. > Photo Galleries But I gradually learned L.A. was heavily segregated. you have laid my thoughts about him to rest, and that he truly was a good, good man. link]. It was on the set of 1959s Pork Chop Hill, a Korean War film, that Strode met John Ford (though Ford was not the director; Lewis Milestone and star Gregory Peck shared the credit). Wayne and Stewart felt Johnson had destroyed the United States with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. American Brotherhood Week, sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, was meant to encourage not just religious tolerance, but acceptance and equality for all races and nationalities. While Bill Fryes comment cannot be used as evidence that Jimmy Stewart was uncomfortable with racial advancement and equality, theres abundant evidence that Jim was not racist. Its such a disheartening rumor, and Im so glad you did your own research and came across my article. But it still doesn't make a whole lot of sense for him to make his first logical leap either. Strode was a black cavalry officer on trial for rape and murder, and during the court-martial his story is recounted in flashback. (1969) BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. He majored in history and education. But I could tell he preferred to be around Lee Marvin or [John] Wayne than me., Also in the Munn interview, Strode relates an incident in whichLiberty Valance director, John Ford, asked Jim what he thought of Woodys costume, which consisted of old overalls an equally old hat. Bride of the Gorilla (1951) Feb 11 Mar 6, 2022. Hi James, thanks for commenting. He shared a story from the set of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Fords 1962 film about an attorney (Stewart) who, robbed and left for dead by a notorious outlaw, is saved by a rancher (Wayne) and has to start over from scratch. link]. Under coach Les Lear, the young team made it to the Grey Cup, November 27, 1948, set to face the Ottawa Roughriders. Born July 28, 1914, in Los Angeles, California, Woody Strode (Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode) was first of the star football athletes to become a successful film actor. Never thought of them as brothers though. Thanks for commenting Rich! Id do that if I could. I refer you back to my section on The Jimmy Stewart Show for the facts behind the casting of Hal Williams. Jim was a good man through and through. I wanted to crawl into a mouse hole, Stewart recalled. Ive updated the section to include more facts specific to the show. Woody Strode. 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There are different takes over why, including that he thought it was a better medium. The Quest: The Longest Drive (TV) (1976) best of friends ever since they were children, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home: 10 Easter Eggs You Totally Missed. The couple would have a son and a daughter to compliment Kalaeloas two sons from a previous marriage. Tarzan is summoned to protect him and he must face three tests of strength. Electric streetcars went everywhere. He went on to play in the Canadian Football League before becoming a prolific Hollywood actor,. I am a black American who was heartbroken when I heard this aweful rumor. Strode was in City Beneath the Sea (1953) directed by Budd Boetticher, and The Royal African Rifles. Woody Strode and Jimmy Stewart in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). It changed my outlook on many other things and renewed my faith in mankind, thank you. The FBI agent character was written out of The Jimmy Stewart Show after Stewart objected to NBC. Tarzans Three Challenges (1963) Woody eventually becomes a major player in the world ofPsych, but he's also clearly not part of the main friendship group for most of the series' run. I might have to kill you. He appeared in any number of other films, among them The Ten Commandments (1956). Once Upon A Time in the West (1968) Also in the Munn interview, Strode relates an incident in which. With a bizarre range of habits and tendencies, Woody would be a lot to handle if he were either a real person, or the series' main character. Thanks for setting me straight. debut in 1941 in Henry Hathaway' s Sundown. The episode "Last Night Gus" isn't just a real highlight for Psych but for Woody's character and his bizarre humor, too. Despite his romance with Dinah Shore in the 1940s Stewart was also known to express some mildly anti-Semitic views during the counterculture movement. All the while, he continued to work in often uncredited roles in Hollywood films in minor roles, before landing the role of the King of Ethiopia in the 1956 film The Ten Commandments featuring Charleton Heston. In the interview, Marvin relates an incident where Jimmy Stewart actively opposed the racist behavior of another actor on set. Stewart said: It looks a bit Uncle Remussy to me. This was a reference to the controversial fictional narrator of 19th century African-American folktales, who was later the main character in Disneys 1946 movie Song of the South a film that Disney does not make available today due to its racist stereotyping. Two teammates at UCLA were Jackie Robinson and Kenny Washington. A Gathering of Old Men (TV) (1987) (A small role in 1941s Sundown marked his actual debut.) Thank you for reading! The show keeps things as PG as it can when it comes to his involvement with the cadavers he analyzes. In comparison, Ford had made combat documentaries for the Office of Strategic Services and had been wounded at the Battle of Midway, while Ranse star Stewart had been a bomber pilot who served with distinction. La mala ordina (1972) He was interred with military honors at Riverside National Cemetery, east of his hometown.. The Black Stallion Returns (1983) Strode also had a brief career as a professional gridiron football player and was among the first African . It was his enduring appeal in Western films that lead to him being immortalized in tribute by Pixar films the Tom Hanks voiced cowboy toy Woody in theToy Storyseries was named Woody after Woody Strode. Then, when the steeds had halted, he tried to pick a punch up with his younger co-star. Jims plea underscores his belief in peace, freedom, and equality for all: This is Jimmy Stewart reminding you that this is Brotherhood week; a week reminding us all that the world of the future must be built on the recognition of the rights of each individual, whatever his color, creed, or national background. Of course, their football rhythm had been broken up by World War II. He wasnt just an athlete on a scholarship at UCLA, he was an academic. He was a good man deserving of the love and admiration that so many of us have for him. I can go back to my original thought, that he wasnt racist.