2009-12-23

"Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling"

I watched High Noon tonight. That's a great film.
Gary Cooper has a steely-eyed look mixed with worry, fear, and resolve throughout the story. Although that may have been due to his bleeding ulcers and severe back pains. Nevertheless it's an amazing performance that earned Gary Cooper an Academy Award.
It's also stars Lloyd Bridges and Grace Kelly in one of their earliest movie roles.
The history of the film is just as interesting as the movie itself. It was an allegorical tale against the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) during the Red Scare. John Wayne called it "the most un-American thing I've ever seen in my whole life." Strangely enough Wayne accepted Cooper's award for him since Cooper was unable to attend the ceremony.
Also, High Noon was edited in an attempt to present the story in real time. Take that Jack Bauer.
But perhaps one of my favorite pieces of the movie is Tex Ritter's (the late John Ritter's father) Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling. The video below is a version of the song. Take a listen:

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