John Wayne and director John Ford were frequent collaborators. In fact, they made more than twenty films together, going back to 1928 and the silent era. Probably the best of these films, many of them Westerns, was "Stagecoach" (1939).
In the late 1940s, Wayne starred in a 'calvary trilogy' for Ford ("Fort Apache", "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon", "Rio Grande"). "The Three Godfathers" was also made during this time. These were all solid films, although sometimes sentimental and limited in character development. Ford and Wayne both belonged to the 'when men were men' school, and never were characters in a Ford film more heroic and selfless than those in "The Three Godfathers".
Wayne, Pedro Armendariz, and Harry Carey Jr. play cattle rustlers and bank robbers. But you'd never know it from their personalities. They pass the time of day with a hearty old timer (Ward Bond) like they had come to town as an amusement. After the robbery (which isn't shown), they hide out in the desert, with Wayne and Armendariz eschewing precious water so that injured Carey can drink. While looking for water, they encounter an abandoned wife (Mildred Natwick) about to give birth. She begs the three men to be godfathers to the baby, and to help raise it. Thereafter, these 'bad men' are willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the infant.
One unlikely scene comes when the bank robbers are fleeing the town, chased by the sheriff. He shoots not at the men or their horses, but at their canteen (which, presumably, would also be a much tougher shot). After having to pay numerous deputees $3 a day to help find the bandits, he certainly had time to regret his decision.
"The Three Godfathers" is often shown at Christmas (the film was first released in December 1948) due to its religious overtones. The outlaws see themselves as parallels to the biblical three wise men. The bible itself is a frequently used prop, with passages sometimes read from it. The theme is redemption for the bandits, which comes as a result of their care for the helpless baby.
In its opening credits, the film is dedicated to Harry Carey, 'a bright star in the early western sky'. Carey was the lead in a silent version of "The Three Godfathers" from 1916. Two other versions followed, "Hell's Heroes" from 1929, and "Three Godfathers" from 1936. Ford cast Carey Jr. in the film in part as a tribute to his late father. He gives a fine performance, though, as does the colorful Armendariz and Wayne.
The basic story idea later re-emerged as a comedy, without the 'bandit' aspects, in films such as "Three Men and a Cradle" (France, 1985), and the wildly popular "Three Men and a Baby" (1987).
This was the last film in the lengthy career of character actor Guy Kibbee, here playing a judge. Familiar faces Jane Darwell and Hank Worden also have entertaining supporting roles. (61/100)
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