I just looked that old blog up again: "The most adventurous part of 'Rio Grande' was the Roman Riding scene. before you made a picture with Ford he never wanted your agent around, he just wanted you to come over yourself. So Ben and I got together and went over alone on day to see him, over at Republic. The old man sat there for a while, and finally said, "You Guy's know how to Roman Ride?" I said "No sir," and Ben said "No sir" and Ford said "You're going to have to learn it; we're going to have Roman Riding!" We knew what it was and Ben being real careful said, "Well, Mr Ford, how long before we have to know who to do it?" And he said "A month." So Ben looked at me and I looked at him and we both thought, "Oh S**t!. A wrangler named Kenny Lee broke two teams for us. One was barely broke, so that was the team that Ben rode - they were nuts, but he liked them..... . Now in Roman Riding you start out on the left hand horse, but we both found out in a hell of a hurry that the minute you get up on him and grab the withers they both take off - you can't hold them and get up at the same time, and the minute they take off down you go. I think Ben sat down a couple of times but pretty soon he made it up, and then I got shamed into it and then I made it up. We were learning it in an exercise arena, a small track going along at a lope. Old man Ford came out about the third day and he watched us and he seemed pleased, even tough we weren't standing up straight yet. Finally this old guy named Hank Potts that I'd known from the time I was a kid came along, he was just back from a location himself. He's raced Roman riding in his youth, and after watching us for a while he said. "You guy's aren't getting anywhere and your'e never going to get better than you are, all squatted down like that. You've got to get out on a straight road and let the b******s run for a good half mile where they can really take off." Well he got us out on a long straightway. It was on Sherman Way, the old Fat Jones stables,and the just flew. It's the getting up that was scary so I started sitting down again - Ben's team threw him off a couple of times too and finally Hank Potts said, "The next time you sit down on that inside horse I'm going to hit you with this rock." So I got up and stayed there, and then I lost my fear - it was amazing, it went away completely, just like that. Then Ford was really happy, cause now wer'e barreling ass around there. He was ecstatic, I'd never seen the old b******d so happy. Finally he said, "I think I'll get Claude to doing it" Claude was 6'2" and weighed about 160 pounds - a big lanky kid, a hell of an athlete. he looked like he was awkward but he wasn't . Now he looked like he barely rode at all, but he came out croupered those horses, jumped up on my team and went down the road no practice. Ben said "Well Jesus Christ" - we wanted to crawl under a board- and Old man Ford said, "Well Jesus it took you guys three weeks for Christ's sake." Ben said "He's never been hurt before Mr Ford." Ford said, "What?" he made you repeat everything. "Well his never been mashed up or hurt, he's not afraid." You're goddam right he's not afraid!" So Claude rode too - he used my team since we only had two. It was unusual for people who had critical parts in a movie to do that kind of stunt, but Ford would do it. We shot that Roman riding sequence right in the middle of the picture and we were even out Roman riding every morning on location. Harry Carey jr then goes on to say that the next morning both he and Ben Johnsone could barely walk and had to go to a nearby town to visit a physiotherapist while Jarman felt no ill effects whatever. Regards Arthur
Here's a comment from an old blog: "I forgot to tell you, no they were not attached to the Horses, but they did have on Black Rubber Sole Tennis Shoes. But if you look Close the next time that you watch the film you might see that the Horses have "Trace Staps" holding them together so they would not Go In Different Directions. The day that they shot this Scene the Total Cast and Crew were there to watch this Big Scene, even Us Lowly Extras."
I never get tired of watching this clip. Thank you for sharing. I didn't realise until now that it is actually the actors riding and not stunt men. Real horsemanship. Fabulous.
@@paladinsix9285Yes. He went from horse wrangler to stunt double for actors like Henry Fonda in Fort Apache. When he probably saved lives by chasing down a runaway stagecoach in that movie, John Ford rewarded him with an acting contract. As a champion rodeo cowboy, he definitely gets to show off his skills in this movie.
I remember going into "Cattlemen's" restaurant in Oklahoma City in 1981 and seeing a big picture of Ben Johnson on the wall. I asked about it and they said "Yes, he still comes in from time to time". I bought a many a plate of steak and eggs there after that hoping to see him but never did.
My mum's favorite! love this part of the movie. it's also known that the actor fred kennedy(playing heinze) fell of a horse while filming the horse soldiers, passed away on the way to the hospital!
Ya it looked to me there were two men out there riding those horses. Unless they're lying here why the hell you just point out Ben when Harry was everybit the horseman Ben was.
Yep, that really is Harry Carey Jr. and Ben Johnson on the horses. In his autobiography, 'The Company of Heroes,' Harry Carey Jr. states that John Ford didn't ask them if they could Roman Rode--he ORDERED them to Roman Ride. Not daring to refuse Ford's request, they practiced with the stuntmen until they got it right...and then in typical perverse Ford fashion, he filmed them in a long shot so you can't really see it's them. That was Ford--he was careful not to allow you to get too big an ego on his film sets.
TM Rezzek Thank you so much! I knew Fred Kennedy was a stunt rider as well as being an actor. I thought perhaps Fred and Yakima Canutt? Thanks to you the mystery is solved. That was a wonderful scene with Harry Carey, Jr and Ben Johnson. Next time I watch Rio Grande, I'll appreciate those two actors all the more.
Maybe it had to do with the format. "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" (1949) was in color; "Rio Grande" (1950) was in B&W. Perhaps color makes an actor seem older.
I knew Ben Johnson was a horseman, I didn't know Harry Carey Jr. was too. Still, just what is the purpose of riding "Roman Style"? It's no good for fighting! Did the ancient Romans really do this? seems like an unnecessary stunt which was guaranteed to get a lot of men seriously injured.
It is a demonstration of Horsemanship and Courage. Napoleon Bonaparte stated that the Morale is to the Physical as Three is to One. Serving as a soldier we sometimes could deter conflict by a demonstration of our determination even more than our tactical and technical prowess.
Ben was a real cowboy in every way, he didnt think he could ever act but won the Oscar for the last picture show , just shows you
I just looked that old blog up again:
"The most adventurous part of 'Rio Grande' was the Roman Riding scene. before you made a picture with Ford he never wanted your agent around, he just wanted you to come over yourself. So Ben and I got together and went over alone on day to see him, over at Republic. The old man sat there for a while, and finally said, "You Guy's know how to Roman Ride?" I said "No sir," and Ben said "No sir" and Ford said "You're going to have to learn it; we're going to have Roman Riding!" We knew what it was and Ben being real careful said, "Well, Mr Ford, how long before we have to know who to do it?" And he said "A month." So Ben looked at me and I looked at him and we both thought, "Oh S**t!.
A wrangler named Kenny Lee broke two teams for us. One was barely broke, so that was the team that Ben rode - they were nuts, but he liked them..... .
Now in Roman Riding you start out on the left hand horse, but we both found out in a hell of a hurry that the minute you get up on him and grab the withers they both take off - you can't hold them and get up at the same time, and the minute they take off down you go. I think Ben sat down a couple of times but pretty soon he made it up, and then I got shamed into it and then I made it up. We were learning it in an exercise arena, a small track going along at a lope. Old man Ford came out about the third day and he watched us and he seemed pleased, even tough we weren't standing up straight yet.
Finally this old guy named Hank Potts that I'd known from the time I was a kid came along, he was just back from a location himself. He's raced Roman riding in his youth, and after watching us for a while he said. "You guy's aren't getting anywhere and your'e never going to get better than you are, all squatted down like that. You've got to get out on a straight road and let the b******s run for a good half mile where they can really take off." Well he got us out on a long straightway.
It was on Sherman Way, the old Fat Jones stables,and the just flew. It's the getting up that was scary so I started sitting down again - Ben's team threw him off a couple of times too and finally Hank Potts said, "The next time you sit down on that inside horse I'm going to hit you with this rock." So I got up and stayed there, and then I lost my fear - it was amazing, it went away completely, just like that. Then Ford was really happy, cause now wer'e barreling ass around there. He was ecstatic, I'd never seen the old b******d so happy.
Finally he said, "I think I'll get Claude to doing it" Claude was 6'2" and weighed about 160 pounds - a big lanky kid, a hell of an athlete. he looked like he was awkward but he wasn't . Now he looked like he barely rode at all, but he came out croupered those horses, jumped up on my team and went down the road no practice. Ben said "Well Jesus Christ" - we wanted to crawl under a board- and Old man Ford said, "Well Jesus it took you guys three weeks for Christ's sake." Ben said "He's never been hurt before Mr Ford." Ford said, "What?" he made you repeat everything. "Well his never been mashed up or hurt, he's not afraid." You're goddam right he's not afraid!" So Claude rode too - he used my team since we only had two. It was unusual for people who had critical parts in a movie to do that kind of stunt, but Ford would do it. We shot that Roman riding sequence right in the middle of the picture and we were even out Roman riding every morning on location.
Harry Carey jr then goes on to say that the next morning both he and Ben Johnsone could barely walk and had to go to a nearby town to visit a physiotherapist while Jarman felt no ill effects whatever.
Regards
Arthur
WOW! I had heard in other videos that these guys were great horsemen. This proves it. Thanks
I believe Ben held the world record at one time for calf roping.
The only horse rider in history who, when he jumped on a horse, the two became one....Ben Johnson...but Harry Carey Jr. was close behind!
Ben Johnson was a great rider I loved to watch him.
I saw an interview with L.Q. Jones,and he said that Ben Johnson could ride the inside of a horse
I've seen a picture of Carey in his mid teens riding 'Roman' on his dad's ranch.
Here's a comment from an old blog:
"I forgot to tell you, no they were not attached to the Horses, but they did have on Black Rubber Sole Tennis Shoes. But if you look Close the next time that you watch the film you might see that the Horses have "Trace Staps" holding them together so they would not Go In Different Directions.
The day that they shot this Scene the Total Cast and Crew were there to watch this Big Scene, even Us Lowly Extras."
I wondered how they kept the horses running along besides each other without spreading to far apart
Clint Walker I always wondered about those strange looking shoes.
I love watching this clip. It's better than any modern special effect in any movie.
I have watched this movie many times. It is one of the best movie, in my opinion. Great show all the way around.
I never get tired of watching this clip. Thank you for sharing. I didn't realise until now that it is actually the actors riding and not stunt men. Real horsemanship. Fabulous.
Ben Johnson, like Marrion Morris (JW) before, started as a Stunt Man.
@@paladinsix9285 thank you for your comment, I didn't know that.
@@paladinsix9285Yes. He went from horse wrangler to stunt double for actors like Henry Fonda in Fort Apache. When he probably saved lives by chasing down a runaway stagecoach in that movie, John Ford rewarded him with an acting contract. As a champion rodeo cowboy, he definitely gets to show off his skills in this movie.
I remember going into "Cattlemen's" restaurant in Oklahoma City in 1981 and seeing a big picture of Ben Johnson on the wall. I asked about it and they said "Yes, he still comes in from time to time". I bought a many a plate of steak and eggs there after that hoping to see him but never did.
No doubles. Amazing, i love this movie
Fabulous. Just fabulous.
Excellent classic film😊💜
My mum's favorite! love this part of the movie. it's also known that the actor fred kennedy(playing heinze) fell of a horse while filming the horse soldiers, passed away on the way to the hospital!
Great horse men, and Ben Johnson a great actor.
I bet I've watched this a dozen times and it makes the hair stand up on my arms every time.That Ben Johnson was a real man!!
crying man. so good
Martha Brown harry too!
Ya it looked to me there were two men out there riding those horses. Unless they're lying here why the hell you just point out Ben when Harry was everybit the horseman Ben was.
@@Miatacrosser I'm sorry you were so offended by my statement about Ben Johnson, it was in reference to ALL of his accomplishments.
He and Harry Carey, Jr, Dobe, were great pals. This scene is wonderful!
Very impressive.🇺🇸
Best friends for life "Ben and 'Dobe".
Ben Johnson, a man's man.
And Harry Carey Jr. was what? I loved Ben in everything he ever made but I believe two people deserve credit here.
A real deal cowboy.
I always thought it was a stunt double! I have fallowed those two for forever. learning alot of cool stuff today!
J Calhoun I saw a video that says that john ford had them practicing when he took the long shot. On purpose...
J Calhoun harry carey jr. Was a horseman too...besides ben johnson...they ended up buds. Been fallowing these guys a long time...
Good stuff! Ben Johnson was the real deal.
Hard to believe this movie came out a year after "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon". Somehow, they seem younger here.
Always wondered if this really was Ben and Harry. Saw Ben once in a Holly Day inn in Longview Texas. Early 80s a thrill.
It was really them. They were both expert horsemen.
Y E O W !!!
Love it! Thanks for posting.
Ben Johnson could ride a damn horse ! But another actor who could ride was Sheb Woolly, stared on raw hide, Slim Pickens was a hell of a rider also !
Ya were they that second rider?
Ya I thought not. In that case you need to add Harry Carry Jr. to your list also.
@@Miatacrosser I guess I do ! I Love the movie tombstone and it was nice to see him later in life still acting.
Slim rodeod for a while, he took the name from that, as he said the rodeo life was slim pickens.
Ben Johnson and Sheb Wooley were both rodeo riders, and they were excellent riders!
Harry Carey, Jr..........not too shabby also.
Great scene ..
Yep, that really is Harry Carey Jr. and Ben Johnson on the horses. In his autobiography, 'The Company of Heroes,' Harry Carey Jr. states that John Ford didn't ask them if they could Roman Rode--he ORDERED them to Roman Ride. Not daring to refuse Ford's request, they practiced with the stuntmen until they got it right...and then in typical perverse Ford fashion, he filmed them in a long shot so you can't really see it's them. That was Ford--he was careful not to allow you to get too big an ego on his film sets.
TM Rezzek Thank you so much! I knew Fred Kennedy was a stunt rider as well as being an actor. I thought perhaps Fred and Yakima Canutt? Thanks to you the mystery is solved.
That was a wonderful scene with Harry Carey, Jr and Ben Johnson. Next time I watch Rio Grande, I'll appreciate those two actors all the more.
TM Rezzek wow! amazing men
of course they did it.. they were great horsemen.. even great horsemen have to practice that
johnny llooddte I knew they were the real thing!!! Love 💘 that shot!!!
Real cowboys
Back when they made real movies,not what Hollywerd is making today.
WOW, WOW, WOW!!
ahahah great great men
DAMN!!!!!!
Maybe it had to do with the format. "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" (1949) was in color; "Rio Grande" (1950) was in B&W. Perhaps color makes an actor seem older.
James Janke black and white reveals the symbolic monumental aspects of an image. Colour communicates emotion
Yes the 3 of them DID do the riding, ie Ben Johnson, Harry Carey jnr, claude jarman jnr!!
those were the days my friend.....when men were MEN and women were WOMEN......those were the days
This show of horsemanship is easy when you are daydreaming.
Ford was such a jerk he filmed it in a long shot so you can't tell if it's stuntman or Ben and Harry riding 'em.
They were great actors and the best of friends 🐴🐴🐴
I knew Ben Johnson was a horseman, I didn't know Harry Carey Jr. was too. Still, just what is the purpose of riding "Roman Style"? It's no good for fighting! Did the ancient Romans really do this? seems like an unnecessary stunt which was guaranteed to get a lot of men seriously injured.
It is a demonstration of Horsemanship and Courage. Napoleon Bonaparte stated that the Morale is to the Physical as Three is to One. Serving as a soldier we sometimes could deter conflict by a demonstration of our determination even more than our tactical and technical prowess.
Did you all know that Ben Johnson was Tom Sellecks grand father
I'm sorry ma'am but that is not true....... Please read that as Ben Johnson would say it.
No he is not