This Week in the West: When Henry Fonda Became a Western Bad Guy

🤠This Week in the West 🎙️ Episode 41: When Henry Fonda Became a Western Bad Guy

📢 Episode Summary: In the newest episode of “This Week in the West” we tell the story of Henry Fonda, one of Hollywood’s most enduring actors, who left a lasting mark on the Western genre through roles defined by quiet strength and moral clarity. His breakout Western, The Ox-Bow Incident (1943), drew on his memory of witnessing a lynching at age 14, giving the role a haunting authenticity.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Fonda cemented his place in Westerns with My Darling Clementine, Fort Apache, and The Tin Star. He often collaborated with director John Ford, bringing depth and humanity to figures like Wyatt Earp and seasoned bounty hunters. He even ventured into television with The Deputy, continuing his connection to frontier stories.

In 1968, Fonda shocked audiences in Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West, playing the ruthless killer Frank. The role worked because it clashed with his “good guy” image, making the villainy unforgettable. Posthumously inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers in 2005, Fonda remains a towering figure in Western film history.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• How Henry Fonda’s real-life experiences shaped the moral complexity of his Western roles
• The significance of his collaborations with John Ford and his influence on the genre
• Why his turn as a villain in Once Upon a Time in the West remains one of cinema’s most shocking transformations

👥 Behind the Scenes Host: Seth Spillman Producer: Chase Spivey Writer: Mike Koehler

🔗 Further research:

• [Link 1 - Relevant article, book, or resource]
• [Link 2 - Sponsor or affiliate link (if applicable)]
• [Link 3 - Any additional references]

📬 Connect With Us: 🌐 Website: www.nationalcowboymuseum.org 📖 Read Our Blog: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/blog/ 📩 Email: [e-mail] 📲Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ncwhm/ 📷Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalcowboymuseum ❎X/Twitter: https://x.com/ncwhm 💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cowboy-&-western-heritage-museum

🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111. See us on the map

💡 Support Us:🏅Become A Member of the Museum: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/support/memberships/ 🛒Shop at Persimmon Hill, our Museum store: https://persimmonhillstore.com/

🎧 Listen & Subscribe: 🔹 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-the-west/id1776228708 🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KYmd2BumVtQVH1ez1Cr2U 🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFoE2kU21JpX9T6W9NonXuD9UapS1TsmN 🔹Podbean: https://thisweekinthewest.podbean.com/ 

⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate & review!