Henry King

 Henry King

Tol'able David (1921)

The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926)

The Song of Bernadette (1943)

Twelve O'Clock High (1949)

The Gunfighter (1950)

RANKED:

5. Twelve O'Clock High (1949)

After the Second World War, there were many war-time stories that Hollywood to mine. One of them, called Black Thursday, recounts the events leading up to an American Air Force victory. Gregory Peck plays a no-nonsense Brigadier General who is tasked with turning around the morale of an Air Force unit. The film was acclaimed upon its release and was nominated for several Academy Awards.

4. The Song of Bernadette (1943)

Although it was heavily praised and lauded at its time, "The Song of Bernadette," is remembered very little by film historians. It skyrocketed Jennifer Jones to instant stardom and won many Academy Awards in the process. It also continued in 'religious'-themed films of the 1940s, mostly Christian-oriented. This movement was a critical point in film history, as it was a prescription to the cultural uncertainty during wartime. Not only this, it ushered in many over films in the 1950s that would serve as a spoon-feeding of religious moral virtue to a war-tattered America.

3. The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926)

Henry King had success throughout his career with films about the American countryside. His 1926 hit "The Winning of Barbara Worth" was no different. Taking place in the California desert, the film focuses on a love triangle between a desert waif, a blue-collar laborer, and an engineer. However, the real story lies with what's happening around them. A greedy business owner disregards his engineer's request to reinforce the Colorado river, threatening the safety of the entire town. Little did anyone know how prescient this narrative would be with the Great Depression only a couple of years away. 

2. Tol'able David (1921)

Not many film lovers would ever remember "Tol'able David," an early coming-of-age silent film. However, many at the time considered it a classic. It tells the story of a young man named David, who wants to be treated as a grown man. He soon gets his wish when his life comes crashing down around him. The film set a precedent for coming-of-age films and was beloved for the tragic nature of its story.

1. The Gunfighter (1950)

Henry King's "The Gunfighter" holds a place in film history as being a very atypical Western. It is a mostly-single location, dialogue-driven piece that examines the regrets of an aging gunfighter. In the film, Gregory Peck plays Jimmie Ringo, the "fastest gun in the West." This reputation puts an unwanted target on Ringo's back. Every town he goes to, there is always some young punk looking to make a name for himself - and killing Ringo would just be the way to do it. However, Ringo's exhaustion with this leads him to Cayenne, where he tries to reconcile with the woman and child he left behind. The film centers on a man of regrets desperately trying to reverse time, constantly afflicted with the decisions he's made in the past. This gives the entire piece a sense of tragedy, as death is the only certainly for Ringo. He can no longer have the family life he's always wanted. He can no longer have peace. His life has reached a natural point of conclusion, with no turning back. This is what makes this tragic Western so great, and so depressing.