Talk:Glenn Ford

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Contents

[edit] Vandalism of this article

I am getting a little tired of the anonymous vandal who keeps posting that Glenn Ford died in October -- while playing basketball yet. I am friends with his family and I know full well that Glenn Ford, though doing reasonably well for a guy who is nearly 90, is hardly in any shape to play basketball. Get real. Out of respect for Mr. Ford and his family I am prepared to lock this article to any further edits if the anon. continues to post this fiction. 23skidoo 05:19, 9 November 2005 (UTC)

Sadly the reports of his passing are, this time, legitimate. He will be missed. 23skidoo 03:11, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Tributes

I'm sitting here, watching Glen Ford's starring roll in "3:10 to Yuma" at this very time here in Texas 1:30pm July 12th 2006. I have enjoyed this wonderful man's acting ability for many years.

[edit] Salt and pepper shakers

There's an odd comment in the article about Ford collecting salt and pepper shakers. Can this be confirmed? It doesn't sound too unreasonable but there was some nonsense added to the article about a year ago so it's worth double-check. 23skidoo 05:45, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

A Google search reveals nothing, though that's not conclusive. Nunquam Dormio 08:06, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

I agree it's not conclusive one way or the other. It seems such a trivial piece of information to include about a person with such a body of work behind him. Even if it is 100% accurate - it's something to list under "trivia" - not a In the main body of the article. Until it can be substantiated I think it should be removed. So that's what I propose to do. Davidpatrick 17:17, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

True or not, who cares? I took it out: "During his retirement he concentrated on his interest in collecting salt and pepper shakers." Clarityfiend 19:15, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Hockey

The links to the Atlanta Flames and Calgary Flames should both remain as is, and not merged into the Calgary Flames article, as both entities have entries.

[edit] superman

Don't you think there should be something about him begin in the 1987 superman moive

I assume you mean the 1978 Superman movie, right? Agreed. I'll add something. When I mentioned his death at the TrekBBS bulletin board nearly everyone there identified him as Jonathan Kent from Superman, moreso than his other word (sad but true). 23skidoo 17:39, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Whole article needs work

This is a very skimpy article for such an accomplished and acclaimed screen legend. It truly warrants and needs some work. There are minor soap opera actors with more detailed articles than this. Hope there are others who can help on this... Davidpatrick 14:38, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

Agreed. In fact in the last few hours I could swear this article had been shortened. 23skidoo 14:58, 31 August 2006 (UTC)
Afraid I had to shorten it even further. I took out a lot of name dropping: "In addition to the previously mentioned Rita Hayworth, his co-stars included Hollywood greats such as Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, William Holden, Jack Lemmon, Shirley Maclaine, Marlon Brando, Sidney Poitier, Robert Mitchum, Charlton Heston, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Charles Boyer and Frederic March. Other notable co-stars included Gloria Grahame, Lee Marvin, Janet Leigh, Ernest Borgnine, Debbie Reynolds, Shirley Jones, Rod Steiger, Donald O'Connor, Geraldine Page, Ann Sheridan, Gene Tierney, Anne Bancroft, Ida Lupino, Joseph Cotton, Jeanne Crain, Melvyn Douglas and Lee J. Cobb." Clarityfiend 18:39, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Question

I'm not sure about the following statement: The use of Ford's image in a 2006 film means that he appeared in feature films - directly or indirectly - in eight consecutive decades from the 1930s to the 2000s. He is the only leading man actor to have achieved this. (my emphasis). Are you certain of that? What about Chaplin? And Laurence Olivier appears in the 2004 film Sky Captain thanks to computer wizardry. 23skidoo 18:59, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

Olivier skipped the 90's apparently (that underachieving slacker), and Chaplin's last film was the 1967 A Countess From Hong Kong, plus he died in 1977, so that let's him out. However, counting an actor's image in a film is hardly worthy of notice. Clarityfiend 18:48, 8 September 2006 (UTC)
After reading the item in question, I took it out entirely. An photograph hardly qualifies someone as a leading man. Here is the offender: "A photograph of Ford as Jonathan Kent is clearly visible in the 2006 sequel, Superman Returns. The use of Ford's image in a 2006 film means that he appeared in feature films - directly or indirectly - in eight consecutive decades from the 1930s to the 2000s. He is the only leading man actor to have achieved this. (Mickey Rooney also achieved the feat of being seen in films in eight decades but was not considered a leading man.)" Clarityfiend 19:14, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Politics

Shouldn't the article mention that Glenn Ford, like his son Peter, was a Republican?

Unless it played a major role in his life (as in he ran for office or was considered a major supporter of so-and-so, no I don't think it needs to be included. 23skidoo 02:08, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

He was a major supporter of his friend President Reagan during the 1980s, and I believe Peter Ford ran for the Californian senate as a Republican.

(above comment was unsigned comment by IP# 195.93.21.65)

His son's politics are of no issue to this article. If Glenn Ford was a very vocal supporter and undertook advertising and multiple personal appearances for candidates - and there is sourced material to support that - then it's worthy of note. If he merely supported one party or certain candidates and let it be known (just as many actors do) but it was not an essential part of his life as construed by the public and media - then it doesn't merit inclusion. I recall that he was generally conservative - but never in a high-profile notable manner like John Wayne/Charlton Heston (on the conservative side) or Barbra Streisand/Ed Asner (on the liberal side). So I don't think it belongs. There is much more that needs to be said in this article about his 7 decades as an actor before adding comments about his political views or support for an old actor pal. Davidpatrick 18:06, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Agreed. If his son ran for office (and I need to confirm that as I'd never heard that before) then that's something for the Peter Ford article when it gets written (he's got independent notability as an actor, singer, and talk radio host so such an article is viable). Otherwise, I agree with Davidpatrick that unless Glenn Ford was somehow overt in his political leanings (along the lines of those cited above) it's not really notable. 23skidoo 18:17, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Current events tag

Is this really needed any more? He passed away a couple of days ago and it's unlikely there will be any "rapid changes" to the situation beyond the announcement of a memorial service and funeral (if any are held). For reasons unknown AP made a cryptic comment about "foul play not being suspected" but I can say with pretty good assurance that it's unlikely that any bombshells will be revealed. He was 90 and he'd been in poor health for 15 years. So, thoughts -- can the Current Events tag go? 23skidoo 02:09, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Superman screenshot

Screenshots are perfectly acceptable under the Fair Use guideline that says they can be used in conjunctionw with discussion of "a film or its contents". Actors and/or their characters are contents of a film. However I have requested to the original uploader that the image summary for this screenshot be expanded. Additional: I have gone ahead and expanded the Image Summary use rationale myself, as it appears the image was not directly created for this article, however with the exception of a user page that has the image (and will probably have to remove it), all other uses of the image (including illustrating the article on the actress in the image, as well as the character played by Ford) appear to be in keeping with the wording of the Screenshot use tag. Until this wording is changed, I abide by it. 23skidoo 17:18, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

As you know, since you participated in the conversation at Wikipedia_talk:Fair_use_criteria#Another_TV_Screenshot_quick_simple_question, the general consensus is that actors don't count as "contents" and that screenshots shouldn't be used for actor articles.
Anyway, the presence of this photo violates the first criterion of WP:FUC, that "[n]o free equivalent is available...that would adequately give the same information". A free equivalent is now available that gives the same information, i.e., what Ford looks like. There we should not have the fair use image. —Chowbok 18:25, 5 September 2006 (UTC)
I just checked and I can see no sign of there being a consensus on any such thing. And where may I ask could one find a so-called free use image illustrating Ford's role in Superman??? Or for that matter Gilda, Blackboard Jungle or any of his famous roles. 23skidoo 19:24, 5 September 2006 (UTC)
We don't need an image for every part he played, or even just the significant ones. We just need one or two so people can identify him. This isn't a fan site, it's an encyclopedia article. —Chowbok 19:33, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

On a related issue, surely the Commons has a better image? That one is awful. If we're going to be forced to use Commons images, let's at least have one that is half decent. 23skidoo 17:27, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

Feel free to replace it with a better freely-licensed photo if you can find one. —Chowbok 18:25, 5 September 2006 (UTC)
I just noticed that you're a friend of the family. Why not ask them to release a good photo under the GFDL or one of the acceptable CC licenses? —Chowbok 18:28, 5 September 2006 (UTC)
Why should be have to? Ford is a public figure. 23skidoo 19:26, 5 September 2006 (UTC)
You're missing the point. We don't need permission from his family to post a photo, but his family presumably has a lot of photos of him, and may be willing to give us one under favorable copyright terms. Anyway, I thought you were the friend of the family. Didn't you say that above?
Anyway, it was just a suggestion.—Chowbok 19:32, 5 September 2006 (UTC)
I might be a friend but be damned if I'm going to impose upon them at this time. Especially since I feel it is totally unnecessary. Anyway, forget it. Do what you want, I don't care. 23skidoo 19:38, 5 September 2006 (UTC)
Hey, you were the one complaining about the quality of the image. I was just trying to help. —Chowbok 19:40, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Military Service

There are a lot of false rumors out there about Ford's military service. I called Jack Green of the U.S. Naval Historical Center and he informed me that James Wise's book Stars in Blue ISBN 1557509379 contains the most accurate information available on Wise's military service. Wise interviewed Ford and also consulted official bio files on Ford held by the Naval Historical Center. I therefore corrected the military section of the bio based on the Wise book..johnfmh 9 September 2006.

I found another source that corroborates the material in the Wise book: Robert F. Dorr and Fred L. Borch, "Glenn Ford honored for his Vietnam Service," Navy Times, 25 September 2006. --Johnfmh 20:03, 27 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Salt and pepper shakers ... again

I see someone put back the bit about Ford allegedly collecting salt and pepper shakers. I might have let it go (it's a minor thing) if I hadn't noticed that virtually the same line appears in the Bob Hope article, and once again without confirming source. This set off a red flag -- I've seen similar "back door vandalism" attempts before, so I have removed it again from this article (as well as from the Bob Hope article) pending confirmation. 23skidoo 14:09, 26 September 2006 (UTC)

It was put back again and I removed it again. I've sent a query to Mr. Ford's family to see if they can confirm if it is true (although this probably is considered Original Research). 23skidoo 11:22, 12 October 2006 (UTC)
I have just had it confirmed directly from a family member that the salt and pepper shakers thing is bogus. Therefore it is to be removed immediately if it's added again. 23skidoo 19:59, 12 October 2006 (UTC)
I just reverted another "salt and pepper shakers" vandalism and blocked the vandal for a week. They'll probably try again under another IP, though. 23skidoo 18:37, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Conflict between Glenn and his son

A paragraph has been added to the article regarding friction between Peter Ford and his father. The link given as citation does not go to a full article (you need to be a Globe and Mail subscriber. As it currently stands the statement may be in violation of WP:BLP on the part of Peter if a more verifiable source can't be located. 23skidoo 23:18, 1 October 2006 (UTC)

I added the paragraph. Personally, I have no interest in film making and have nothing but praise for Glenn Ford's great career. I posted this information for other people's knowledge of Ford's hard work in Hollywood, his tumultous personal life and his interesting knowledge of home renovations. The Globe and Mail had this 942 word article by R. Severo on Ford's long and illustrious career as well as his various marriages and the fact that he was actually born in Canada. [1] The Globe and Mail is comparable to the New York Times; if you are not a paid subscriber, the printed information goes into the archives section of the paper's web site after 10 or 14 days. I should add that the Globe and Mail is Canada's most popular paper with the largest numbers of subscribers.[2] I bought the September 1, 2006 issue of The Globe and Mail newspaper and later noticed its coverage of Glenn Ford's obituary; so all the quotes provided come from this article. The Globe and Mail article on page S.10 come from the Arts and Entertainment section of this paper which printed this extended Obituary on Glenn Ford's life. The information must be correct as Severo would not print it without proof. Please note that not all great Hollywood's actor's lives are perfect; even Ford had 4 separate wives whom he all divorced. With kind Regards, Leoboudv 20:20, 12 October 2006 (UTC)

If it's in an article and properly sourced, that's fine (and the G&M isn't the Enquirer by any stretch of the imagination). Agreed, no one's perfect and Glenn Ford definitely had a very interesting life. 23skidoo 22:01, 12 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Welsh parents?

I'd like to see a reference for the Welsh parents. This source contradicts the statement:

http://genealogie.planete.qc.ca/images/lignee_Ford_Glen.pdf

It seems his parents (his father at least) was a fourth generation Quebecer (Canadian). Furthermore, his Ford ancestor was from England. Maybe his mom was Welsh??? 69.159.89.88 16:01, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Birthplace

I have been contacted by Ford's son who says IMDb and other sources are wrong and that Glenn Ford was born in Quebec City. I have included one link to an interview with Glenn Ford in the infobox, and then made the unusual step of citing Peter Ford's e-mail to me in the text because he also provided me with the name of the hospital. This skirts original research, I know, but is only intended to be a temporary reference until Peter Ford's biography of his father is released in the near future. I have asked if he can provide a printed source. The IMDb listing is wrong and a correction has been submitted to them. This said, it's possible Saint-Christine is a part of Quebec City, the same way Scarborough is part of Toronto... 23skidoo 13:35, 5 April 2007 (UTC)