Francis Ford (born Francis Joseph Feeney; August 14, 1881 – September 5, 1953) was an American film actor, writer and director. He was the mentor and elder brother of film director John Ford.[1] He also appeared in many of the latter's movies, including Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) and The Quiet Man (1952).
Production still of the cast and crew of the Universal silent serial The Broken Coin (1915). Grace Cunard and Francis Ford are in the center on the throne, the young actress Gertrude Short is seated on the floor in front of Miss Cunard, and John Ford is third from the left. A cameraman, likely Harry McGuire Stanley, is sitting (front right) with a Pathé film camera between his feet.
Ford was born in Portland, Maine. He was the son of John Augustine Feeney, who was born in the village of Spiddal, County Galway, Ireland, on June 15, 1854. His mother was Barbara "Abbey" Curran. By 1878, John had moved to Portland, Maine, and opened a saloon, at 42 Center Street, that used a false front to pose as grocery store. John opened four others in following years.
After service in the United States Army in the Spanish–American War (In Pappy: The Life of John Ford, Dan Ford wrote about Francis Ford and the war, "The Army soon discovered that he was only fifteen and sent him home."),[2] Francis left home. He drifted into the film business in New York City, working for David Horsley, Al Christie and the Star Film Company's San Antonio operation under Gaston Méliès. He adopted the name Ford from the automobile.[3] From San Antonio, Francis began his Hollywood career working for Thomas H. Ince at Ince's Bison studio, directing and appearing in westerns.
Ford's younger brother, John M. Feeney, nicknamed "Bull," was a successful fullback and defensive tackle on a Portland High state championship football team. In 1914, "Bull" followed Francis to Hollywood, changed his name to John Ford and eventually surpassed his elder brother's considerable reputation.
Ford's son, Philip Ford, was also a film actor/director. Ford died after being diagnosed with cancer.
Work
Advertisement for A Study in Scarlet, directed by and starring Francis Ford, 1914
Universal post card, 1915
Ford may have acted in over 400 films, with many of his early credits poorly documented and probably lost.
Ambitious and prolific, in Ford's early work he cast himself as George Armstrong Custer, Sherlock Holmes (with his younger brother as Dr. Watson) and Abraham Lincoln, a role in which he specialized. By 1912, Ford was directing alongside Thomas Ince. It rapidly became clear that Ince was routinely taking credit for Ford's work,[4] so Ford moved to Universal in early 1913. His 1913 Lucille Love, Girl of Mystery was Universal's first serial, and the first of a string of very popular serials starring Ford's collaborator and lover Grace Cunard. The 1915 serial The Broken Coin was expanded from 15 to 22 episodes by popular demand, probably the height of Ford's career.
In 1917, Ford founded a short-lived independent company, Fordart Films, which released the 1918 Berlin via America with Phil Kelly, and briefly opened his own studio at Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street. At the same time, Ford mentored his younger brother, collaborating frequently as writers, directors and actors in each other's projects, but as early as 1917, it was clear that John's star was on the rise. Frank's directorial style remained suitable for serials, but failed to evolve.[5] Ford's final known directoral credit is for the 1928 The Call of the Heart, a 50-minute vehicle for "Dynamite the Devil Dog".
The Ford brothers were, at the best of times, critical of each other and sometimes sharply antagonistic. Ford wrote an unpublished memoir in 1934 called Up and Down the Ladder which is "filled with bitter and sometimes heartrending complaints about how old-timers who had helped create the industry had been shunted aside by younger men."[6] From the late 1920s, and for the next two decades, Ford sustained a career as a grizzled character actor and bit player. He is often uncredited, as in his appearance in James Whale's 1931 Frankenstein. Among his most memorable roles was that of the demented old man in The Ox-Bow Incident (1943).
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Not to be confused with Francis Ford Coppola This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Francis Ford actor news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2015 Learn how and when to remove this template message Francis Ford born Francis Joseph Feeney August 14 1881 September 5 1953 was an American film actor writer and director He was the mentor and elder brother of film director John Ford 1 He also appeared in many of the latter s movies including Young Mr Lincoln 1939 and The Quiet Man 1952 Francis FordFord in 1917BornFrancis Joseph Feeney 1881 08 14 August 14 1881Portland Maine U S DiedSeptember 5 1953 1953 09 05 aged 72 Los Angeles California U S Other namesJ Francis O FearnaOccupationsActorfilm directorwriterYears active1909 1953Spouse s Elsie Van Name 1909 1934 2 children Mary Armstrong 1935 1953 his death Children2 including Philip Ford Contents 1 Biography 2 Work 3 Selected filmography 4 Television 5 References 6 External linksBiography Edit Production still of the cast and crew of the Universal silent serial The Broken Coin 1915 Grace Cunard and Francis Ford are in the center on the throne the young actress Gertrude Short is seated on the floor in front of Miss Cunard and John Ford is third from the left A cameraman likely Harry McGuire Stanley is sitting front right with a Pathe film camera between his feet Ford was born in Portland Maine He was the son of John Augustine Feeney who was born in the village of Spiddal County Galway Ireland on June 15 1854 His mother was Barbara Abbey Curran By 1878 John had moved to Portland Maine and opened a saloon at 42 Center Street that used a false front to pose as grocery store John opened four others in following years After service in the United States Army in the Spanish American War In Pappy The Life of John Ford Dan Ford wrote about Francis Ford and the war The Army soon discovered that he was only fifteen and sent him home 2 Francis left home He drifted into the film business in New York City working for David Horsley Al Christie and the Star Film Company s San Antonio operation under Gaston Melies He adopted the name Ford from the automobile 3 From San Antonio Francis began his Hollywood career working for Thomas H Ince at Ince s Bison studio directing and appearing in westerns Ford s younger brother John M Feeney nicknamed Bull was a successful fullback and defensive tackle on a Portland High state championship football team In 1914 Bull followed Francis to Hollywood changed his name to John Ford and eventually surpassed his elder brother s considerable reputation Ford s son Philip Ford was also a film actor director Ford died after being diagnosed with cancer Work Edit Advertisement for A Study in Scarlet directed by and starring Francis Ford 1914 Universal post card 1915 Ford may have acted in over 400 films with many of his early credits poorly documented and probably lost Ambitious and prolific in Ford s early work he cast himself as George Armstrong Custer Sherlock Holmes with his younger brother as Dr Watson and Abraham Lincoln a role in which he specialized By 1912 Ford was directing alongside Thomas Ince It rapidly became clear that Ince was routinely taking credit for Ford s work 4 so Ford moved to Universal in early 1913 His 1913 Lucille Love Girl of Mystery was Universal s first serial and the first of a string of very popular serials starring Ford s collaborator and lover Grace Cunard The 1915 serial The Broken Coin was expanded from 15 to 22 episodes by popular demand probably the height of Ford s career In 1917 Ford founded a short lived independent company Fordart Films which released the 1918 Berlin via America with Phil Kelly and briefly opened his own studio at Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street At the same time Ford mentored his younger brother collaborating frequently as writers directors and actors in each other s projects but as early as 1917 it was clear that John s star was on the rise Frank s directorial style remained suitable for serials but failed to evolve 5 Ford s final known directoral credit is for the 1928 The Call of the Heart a 50 minute vehicle for Dynamite the Devil Dog The Ford brothers were at the best of times critical of each other and sometimes sharply antagonistic Ford wrote an unpublished memoir in 1934 called Up and Down the Ladder which is filled with bitter and sometimes heartrending complaints about how old timers who had helped create the industry had been shunted aside by younger men 6 From the late 1920s and for the next two decades Ford sustained a career as a grizzled character actor and bit player He is often uncredited as in his appearance in James Whale s 1931 Frankenstein Among his most memorable roles was that of the demented old man in The Ox Bow Incident 1943 Selected filmography EditThe Immortal Alamo 1911 Short Navarre The Deserter actor 1912 Short The Deserter Custer s Last Fight actor and director 1912 General George A Custer The Post Telegrapher director 1912 Short Bob Evans the Post Telegrapher The Invaders actor and director 1912 Colonel James Bryson When Lincoln Paid actor and director 1913 Short Abraham Lincoln The Battle of Bull Run 1913 Abraham Lincoln Lucille Love Girl of Mystery writer director and star 15 episode serial 1914 Hugo Loubeque The Adventures of Shorty director 1914 and some of the subsequent Shorty two reelers through 1917 A Study in Scarlet actor and director 1914 Short Sherlock Holmes The Mysterious Rose 1914 The Heart of Maryland 1915 Abraham Lincoln The Broken Coin actor and director 22 episode serial 1915 Count Frederick Three Bad Men and a Girl 1915 The Adventures of Peg o the Ring actor and director 15 episode serial 1916 Dr Lund Junior The Bandit s Wager director 1916 Short Nan s Brother The Bandit The Purple Mask 1916 Phil Kelly The Sphinx John Ermine of Yellowstone director 1917 John Ermine The Mystery Ship 1917 Who Was the Other Man 1917 The Dazzling Miss Davison actor 1917 Motherhood actor 1917 John Ermine of the Yellowstone 1917 The Greater Woman actor 1917 The Mirror actor 1917 The Tornado writer 1917 The Avenging Trail director 1917 Berlin via America director 1918 Phil Kelly The Craving writer director and star 1918 Carroll Wayles The Silent Mystery actor and director 15 episode serial 1918 Phil Kelly The Isle of Intrigue 1918 The Mystery of 13 actor and director 15 episode serial 1919 Phil Kelly Jim Kelly Crimson Shoals 1919 Jack Quinn the son Frederick Fielding the father Thomas Fielding the grandfather The Woman of Mystery 1920 Thunderbolt Jack director 10 episode serial 1920 A Man from Nowhere 1920 The Town Drunkard The Great Reward director producer star 15 episode serial 1921 The American Adventurer Action actor 1921 Soda Water Manning The Lady from Longacre 1921 Count de Freitas The Stampede 1921 Robert Wagner Cyclone Bliss 1921 So This Is Arizona 1922 Ned Kendall Another Man s Boots 1922 The Stranger Thundering Hoofs 1922 Daddy Bill Colonel Bill They re Off 1922 Col Blake Bells of San Juan 1922 Minor Role uncredited Storm Girl 1922 Dr Blake Angel Citizens 1922 The Village Blacksmith actor 1922 Asa Martin The Boss of Camp 4 1922 Dude McCormick The Fighting Skipper actor and director 15 episode serial 1923 Three Jumps Ahead actor 1923 Ben McLean Haunted Valley actor 15 episode serial 1923 Sharkey Mine to Keep 1923 Jack Deering Western Feuds 1924 J P Hartley A Rodeo Mixup 1924 Her Uncle Western Yesterdays 1924 Twitchie In the Days of the Covered Wagon 1924 Hearts of Oak actor 1924 The Measure of a Man 1924 Pale Peter The Diamond Bandit 1924 Friar Aloysius Cupid s Rustler 1924 Soft Shoes actor 1925 Quig Mundy The Sign of the Cactus 1925 Panhandle George A Roaring Adventure 1925 Colonel Burns Bennett Hardy The Taming of the West 1925 Frosty Miller Scar Hanan 1925 Jury foreman The Power God serial 1925 Government Secret Service Man Chapter 15 uncredited Ridin Thunder 1925 Frank Douglas The Red Rider 1925 Brown Bear Perils of the Wild director 15 episode serial 1925 The Fighting Heart actor 1925 Town Fool The Four from Nowhere 1925 Officer 444 writer and director 10 episode serial 1926 Fire Chief Lash of the Whip 1926 Hurricane Smith Speed Cop actor 1926 The Winking Idol director 10 chapter serial 1926 Wolf s Trail 1927 Wolves of the Air 1927 Upstream actor 1927 Juggler Men of Daring 1927 Black Roger The Devil s Saddle 1927 Pete Hepburn The Heart of Maryland actor 1927 Jefferson Davis The Cruise of the Hellion 1927 Peg leg The Wreck of the Hesperus actor 1927 John Hazzard Uncle Tom s Cabin 1927 Captain uncredited One Glorious Scrap 1927 Ralph Curtis The Branded Sombrero 1928 Link Jarvis The Trail of 98 actor 1928 Gold Commissioner s Assistant uncredited The Four Footed Range 1928 Brom Hockley The Chinatown Mystery 1928 The Sphinx Sisters of Eve 1928 Pritchard The Call of the Heart director 1928 The Charlatan 1929 Detective uncredited The Black Watch 1929 Maj MacGregor uncredited The Lariat Kid actor 1929 Cal Gregg The Drake Case 1929 Juror uncredited Mister Antonio 1929 Bit Role uncredited The Mounted Stranger 1930 Spider Coy The Jade Box actor 10 chapter serial 1930 Martin Morgan Captain of the Guard 1930 Hussars Officer uncredited Kathleen Mavourneen 1930 James the butler Song of the Caballero 1932 Don Pedro Madero Sons of the Saddle 1930 Red Slade Abraham Lincoln actor 1930 Sheridan s Aide uncredited The Indians Are Coming 1930 George Woods Tom Woods Resurrection 1931 Drunken Soldier on Train uncredited Seas Beneath 1931 Eric Captain of Trawler uncredited The Front Page 1931 Carl a Detective uncredited A Free Soul actor 1931 Skid Row Drunk uncredited The Spirit of Notre Dame 1931 Alumnus uncredited Possessed actor 1931 Drunken Husband uncredited Frankenstein actor 1931 Hans uncredited Battling with Buffalo Bill serial 1931 Jim Rodney The Last Ride actor 1931 Brady Discarded Lovers 1932 Medical Examiner uncredited The Impatient Maiden 1932 InsanMatt Higginse Asylum Warden uncredited Scarface 1932 Prison Guard alternative ending uncredited Scandal for Sale 1932 Belmont Hotel Desk Clerk uncredited Destry Rides Again actor 1932 Judd Ogden The Rider of Death Valley 1932 Gabe Tangled Fortunes 1932 Heroes of the West actor 12 chapter serial 1932 Cavalry Captain Jungle Mystery actor 12 chapter serial 1932 Air Mail 1932 Passenger Who ll Die on a Train uncredited The Lost Special actor 12 chapter serial 1932 Botter Hood Clancy of the Mounted actor 12 chapter serial 1933 Inspector Cabot The Thundering Herd 1933 Frank uncredited Life in the Raw 1933 Sheriff Myles Pilgrimage actor 1933 Mayor Elmer Briggs The Man from Monterey 1933 Don Pablo Gonzales Gordon of Ghost City actor 12 chapter serial 1933 Mystery Man Doctor Bull 1933 Mr Herring Metting Chairman uncredited Charlie Chan s Greatest Case actor 1933 Captain Hallett Roman Scandals actor 1933 Roman Citizen uncredited Smoky 1933 Horse Buyer uncredited Pirate Treasure 1934 Dick s Friend at the Airfield The Lost Patrol 1934 Arab uncredited Sleepers East 1934 Well Wisher at Train Station uncredited Cheaters actor 1934 Murder in Trinidad actor 1934 Davenant The World Moves On 1934 Legionnaire in Trench uncredited Charlie Chan s Courage actor 1934 Hewitt Judge Priest actor 1934 Juror No 12 Bachelor of Arts 1934 Pawnbroker uncredited The County Chairman 1935 Cattle Rancher The Whole Town s Talking 1935 Newspaper Reporter at Dock uncredited Goin to Town 1935 Sheriff uncredited The Informer 1935 Judge Flynn Paris in Spring actor 1935 Drunken Peasant uncredited The Arizonian actor 1935 Mayor Ed Comstock Steamboat Round the Bend actor 1935 Efe This Is the Life 1935 Sticky Jones Charlie Chan s Secret 1936 Captain of Salvage Ship uncredited Paddy O Day actor 1936 Tom McGuire Immigration Officer The Prisoner of Shark Island actor 1936 Cpl O Toole Charlie Chan at the Circus actor 1936 John Gaines Gentle Julia 1936 Tubbs Fish Peddler Educating Father 1936 Sheriff Hart Little Miss Nobody 1936 Detective uncredited Sins of Man actor 1936 Town Drunk The Plainsman actor 1936 Anderson Old Veteran uncredited The Plough and the Stars 1936 uncredited A Star Is Born 1937 William Gregory uncredited The Road Back 1937 Street Cleaner uncredited The Last Train from Madrid actor 1937 Pedro Elias uncredited Slave Ship actor 1937 Scraps The Prisoner of Zenda actor 1937 scenes deleted Checkers 1937 Daniel Snodgrass Mannequin 1937 Tim O Rourke uncredited In Old Chicago actor 1938 Driver Change of Heart 1938 Dog Pound Man uncredited The Girl of the Golden West 1938 Miner uncredited Kentucky Moonshine actor 1938 Grandpa Hatfield The Texans actor 1938 Uncle Dud The Great Waltz actor 1938 Stagecoach 1939 Sergeant Billy Pickett uncredited Young Mr Lincoln 1939 Sam Boone uncredited Colorado Sunset 1939 The Drunk uncredited Bad Lands 1939 Charlie Garth Drums Along the Mohawk 1939 Joe Boleo Geronimo 1939 Scout uncredited The Grapes of Wrath 1940 Migrant uncredited The Man from Dakota 1940 Horseman on Bridge uncredited Viva Cisco Kid 1940 Proprietor Lucky Cisco Kid 1940 Court Clerk Three Faces West 1940 Farmer Bill uncredited South of Pago Pago actor 1940 Foster Diamond Frontier actor 1940 Romance of the Rio Grande 1941 Stagecoach Driver uncredited Western Union 1941 Eastbound Stagecoach Driver uncredited Tobacco Road actor 1941 Vagabond on Road uncredited The Last of the Duanes actor 1941 Luke Stevens Riders of the Purple Sage 1941 Inebriated Courtroom Spectator uncredited They Died with Their Boots On 1941 Veteran uncredited The Vanishing Virginian 1942 Campaign Committee Member uncredited The Man Who Wouldn t Die 1942 Caretaker The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe actor 1942 Tavern Keeper King of the Mounties serial 1942 Zeke Collins Ch 4 Outlaws of Pine Ridge actor 1942 Bartender The Ox Bow Incident actor 1943 Alva Dad Hardwicke uncredited Girls in Chains 1943 Jury Foreman uncredited The Desperadoes 1943 Hank uncredited Jitterbugs actor 1943 Skeptical Old Timer uncredited Home in Indiana 1944 Ed Seated Opposite J T in Bar uncredited Wilson 1944 Hughes Campaign Orator uncredited The Big Noise actor 1944 Train Station Attendant uncredited The Climax 1944 Backstage Attendant uncredited The Princess and the Pirate 1944 Drunken Pirate uncredited Bowery Champs actor 1944 Sports Writer uncredited The Big Bonanza 1944 Daley uncredited Mom and Dad 1945 Dr Rubin Hangover Square actor 1945 Ogilby Fulham Antique Dealer uncredited Murder He Says 1945 Lee Old Townsman uncredited The White Gorilla 1945 Mr Stacey Wildfire actor 1945 Ezra Mills Incendiary Blonde 1945 Ranch Owner uncredited State Fair 1945 R C Martin uncredited Love Honor and Goodbye 1945 Old Sea Dog uncredited San Antonio 1945 Old Cowboy Greeting Coach uncredited The Wife of Monte Cristo 1946 uncredited Renegades 1946 Eph uncredited Sister Kenny 1946 Patrick O Shea uncredited Accomplice actor 1946 King Connors My Darling Clementine 1946 Dad Old Soldier uncredited Wake Up and Dream 1946 Old Man at Counter uncredited California 1947 Jessie uncredited Gunfighters 1947 Cook uncredited High Tide 1947 Pop Garrow Driftwood actor 1947 Abner Green Unconquered 1947 Frontiersman on Fort Pitt Roof uncredited Bandits of Dark Canyon 1947 Horse Trader Fort Apache 1948 Fen Stage Guard uncredited The Timber Trail 1948 Ralph Baker Feudin Fussin and A Fightin 1948 Race Checker Fisherman uncredited Eyes of Texas actor 1948 Thad Cameron The Plunderers actor 1948 Barnaby 3 Godfathers 1948 Drunken Old Timer at Bar uncredited The Far Frontier 1948 Alf Sharper Frontier Investigator 1949 Ed Garnett She Wore a Yellow Ribbon 1949 Connelly Fort Starke Barman uncredited San Antone Ambush 1949 Maj Farnsworth Wagon Master 1950 Mr Peachtree Father Makes Good 1950 Fisherman The Quiet Man 1952 Dan Tobin Toughest Man in Arizona 1952 Hanchette The Lawless Breed 1953 Charlie Saloon Janitor uncredited The Sun Shines Bright actor 1953 Feeney Old Backwoodsman It Happens Every Thursday actor 1953 Elderly Man uncredited The Marshal s Daughter actor 1953 Gramps uncredited final film role Television EditThe Lone Ranger episode Gold Fever Sam Dingle 1950 The Living Bible TV series Samaritan Leper 1952 References Edit Cross Mary 2012 100 People who Changed 20th century America ABC CLIO p 145 ISBN 9781610690850 Retrieved April 15 2017 Ford Dan 1998 Pappy The Life Of John Ford Da Capo Press p 6 ISBN 0306808757 Retrieved April 15 2017 Scott Eyman Print the Legend page 40 Scott Eyman Print the Legend page 43 Joseph McBride Searching for John Ford page 94 Joseph McBride Searching for John Ford pages 94 95External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Francis Ford actor Francis Ford at IMDb Francis Ford at Find a Grave Early portrait of Francis Ford moviecard Literature on Francis Ford Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Francis Ford actor amp oldid 1134371719, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
