3 Godfathers

3 Godfathers

This is a remake of an earlier, silent Ford Western from 1919 with Harry Carey, Sr., "Marked Men". A Western reworking of the story of the Three Magi, Wayne is one of three fleeing bank robbers in the desert who come
across a dying pioneer woman who gives birth. She names the three fugitives her child's Godfathers, and from there, a commendable mixture of sentimentality, farce and danger interweave to the movie's end.

Considered one of Ford's minor Westerns, "3 Godfathers" nonetheless has moments of true quality and intrigue for Western fans and admirers of John Ford. Though the later, popular American light comedy "Three Men and a Baby" (1987) starring Tom Selleck claims to be a remake of a French film, "Three Man and a Cradle" (1985), it is most likely Ford's picture which is the ultimate inspiration.

Though this movie is not among Ford's very best, it is interesting and solid Western film making nonetheless. Thereby, we rate it a Must See.

Director: John Ford

Screenwriter: Laurence Stallings & Frank Nugent from a Peter Kyne story

Cast:
John Wayne.... Robert Marmaduke Sangster Hightower
Pedro Armendáriz.... Pedro Roca Fuerte
Harry Carey Jr..... William Kearney, 'The Abilene Kid'
Ward Bond.... Perley 'Buck' Sweet
Mae Marsh.... Mrs. Perley Sweet
Mildred Natwick.... The Mother
Jane Darwell.... Miss Florie
Guy Kibbee.... Judge
Dorothy Ford ... Ruby Latham
Ben Johnson.... Posse Man #1
Charles Halton.... Mr. Latham
Hank Worden.... Deputy Curly
Jack Pennick.... Luke the Conductor
Fred Libby.... Deputy

Date: 1986 110 minutes