The Long Gray Line
Encyclopedia
The Long Gray Line is a 1955 American drama film
directed by John Ford
based on the life of Marty Maher
. Tyrone Power
stars as the scrappy Irish immigrant whose 50-year career at West Point
took him from dishwasher
to non-commissioned officer
and athletic instructor.
Maureen O'Hara
, one of Ford's
favorite leading ladies, plays Maher's wife and fellow immigrant
, Mary O'Donnell. The film costars Ward Bond
as Herman Koehler, the Master of the Sword (athletic director) and Army's head football coach (1897-1900), who first befriends Maher. Milburn Stone
appears as John J. Pershing
who in 1898 swears Maher into the Army. Harry Carey, Jr.
makes a brief appearance as the young cadet Dwight D. Eisenhower
. Philip Carey
plays (fictional) Army football player and future general Chuck Dotson.
The story follows Maher's arrival at West Point and his progress from servant to beloved leader and teacher. The film also covers Maher's personal life, his romance and marriage to Mary O'Donnell, and his declining years after her death.
The phrase "The Long Gray Line" is used to describe, as a continuum, all graduates and cadets of the USMA
at West Point, New York. Many of the scenes in the film were shot on location at West Point, including the "million dollar view" of the Hudson River
near the parade grounds. The film was the last one in which actor Robert Francis
appeared before his death at age 25.
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by John Ford
John Ford
John Ford was an American film director. He was famous for both his westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and adaptations of such classic 20th-century American novels as The Grapes of Wrath...
based on the life of Marty Maher
Martin Maher
Martin "Marty" Maher, Jr. was an Irish immigrant from Ballycrine, County Tipperary, Ireland, who joined the United States Army in 1898 and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant...
. Tyrone Power
Tyrone Power
Tyrone Edmund Power, Jr. , usually credited as Tyrone Power and known sometimes as Ty Power, was an American film and stage actor who appeared in dozens of films from the 1930s to the 1950s, often in swashbuckler roles or romantic leads such as in The Mark of Zorro, Blood and Sand, The Black Swan,...
stars as the scrappy Irish immigrant whose 50-year career at West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
took him from dishwasher
Dishwashing
Dish-washing is the process of cleaning cooking utensils, dishes, cutlery and other items. This is either achieved by hand in a sink or using dishwasher and may take place in a kitchen, utility room, scullery or elsewhere...
to non-commissioned officer
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
and athletic instructor.
Maureen O'Hara
Maureen O'Hara
Maureen O'Hara is an Irish film actress and singer. The famously red-headed O'Hara has been noted for playing fiercely passionate heroines with a highly sensible attitude. She often worked with director John Ford and longtime friend John Wayne...
, one of Ford's
John Ford
John Ford was an American film director. He was famous for both his westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and adaptations of such classic 20th-century American novels as The Grapes of Wrath...
favorite leading ladies, plays Maher's wife and fellow immigrant
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
, Mary O'Donnell. The film costars Ward Bond
Ward Bond
Wardell Edwin "Ward" Bond was an American film actor whose rugged appearance and easygoing charm were featured in over 200 movies and the television series Wagon Train.-Early life:...
as Herman Koehler, the Master of the Sword (athletic director) and Army's head football coach (1897-1900), who first befriends Maher. Milburn Stone
Milburn Stone
Milburn Stone was an American television actor, a nephew of Broadway comedian Fred Stone and the son of a shopkeeper, best known for his role as "Doc" on the CBS western series Gunsmoke. He also played a doctor, CDR Blake, in the 1943 film Gung Ho!.Stone was born in Burrton in Harvey County in...
appears as John J. Pershing
John J. Pershing
John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB , was a general officer in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I...
who in 1898 swears Maher into the Army. Harry Carey, Jr.
Harry Carey, Jr.
Harry Carey, Jr. is an American film actor. He appeared in over 90 films. He is mostly remembered for appearing in Western films — notably those by his friend John Ford — and in television programs.-Early life:...
makes a brief appearance as the young cadet Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
. Philip Carey
Philip Carey
-Biography:He was born as Eugene Joseph Carey in Hackensack, New Jersey. A former U.S. Marine, Carey was wounded as part of the ship's detachment of the USS Franklin during World War II and served again in the Korean War....
plays (fictional) Army football player and future general Chuck Dotson.
The story follows Maher's arrival at West Point and his progress from servant to beloved leader and teacher. The film also covers Maher's personal life, his romance and marriage to Mary O'Donnell, and his declining years after her death.
The phrase "The Long Gray Line" is used to describe, as a continuum, all graduates and cadets of the USMA
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, New York. Many of the scenes in the film were shot on location at West Point, including the "million dollar view" of the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
near the parade grounds. The film was the last one in which actor Robert Francis
Robert Francis (actor)
Robert Charles Francis was an American actor.Francis was born in Glendale, California and made his motion picture debut in They Rode West in 1954....
appeared before his death at age 25.
Cast
- Tyrone Power as Martin MaherMartin MaherMartin "Marty" Maher, Jr. was an Irish immigrant from Ballycrine, County Tipperary, Ireland, who joined the United States Army in 1898 and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant...
- Maureen O'Hara as Mary O'Donnell
- Robert FrancisRobert FrancisRobert Francis may refer to:*Robert Francis , American singer/songwriter and Producer*Robert Francis , American poet*Robert Francis , American actor*Bob Francis , former ice hockey head coach...
as James N. Sundstrom Jr. - Donald CrispDonald CrispDonald Crisp was an English film actor. He was also an early motion picture producer, director and screenwriter...
as Old Martin - Ward Bond as Captain Herman KoehlerHerman Koehler-External links:...
- Betsy PalmerBetsy PalmerBetsy Palmer is an American actress, best known as a regular panelist on the game show I've Got a Secret, and later for playing Pamela Voorhees in the notorious slasher film Friday the 13th.-Life and career:...
as Kitty Carter - Philip CareyPhilip Carey-Biography:He was born as Eugene Joseph Carey in Hackensack, New Jersey. A former U.S. Marine, Carey was wounded as part of the ship's detachment of the USS Franklin during World War II and served again in the Korean War....
as Charles "Chuck" Dotson (as Phil Carey) - William Leslie as James Nilsson "Red" Sundstrom
- Harry Carey Jr. as Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. EisenhowerDwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
- Patrick WaynePatrick WaynePatrick John Morrison, better known by his stage name Patrick Wayne , is an American actor, the second son of movie star John Wayne and his first wife, Josephine Alicia Saenz. He made over 40 films in his career, including nine with his father...
as Abner "Cherub" Overton - Sean McClorySean McClorySean McClory was an Irish actor whose career spanned six decades and included well over 100 films and television series.-Early years:...
as Dinny Maher - Peter GravesPeter Graves (actor)Peter Aurness , known professionally as Peter Graves, was an American film and television actor. He was best known for his starring role in the CBS television series Mission: Impossible from 1967 to 1973...
as Corporal Rudolph Heinz - Milburn Stone as Captain John J. PershingJohn J. PershingJohn Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB , was a general officer in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I...
- Erin O'Brien-MooreErin O'Brien-MooreErin O'Brien-Moore was an American actress.Moore's acting career began onstage. Noticed in a Broadway stage production, she was signed to a movie contract...
as Mrs. Koehler (as Erin O'Brien Moore) - Walter D. EhlersWalter D. Ehlers-External links:...
as Mike Shannon - Willis BoucheyWillis BoucheyWillis Ben Bouchey was an American character actor who appeared in almost 150 films and television shows. He was born in Vernon, Michigan, but reared by his mother and stepfather in Washington State....
as Major Thomas