Although no dialogue between the duo suggested it, a multitude of visual references to their relationship are seen throughout the film. The Jorgensen daughter, Laurie (played by Vera Miles -of Psycho and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance fame) is in love with Martin. This medal implies Ethan served in the French Mexican Expedition during his three-year absence and also … He has been gone 8 years and Debbie is 8 when he returns. Classic John Ford western. Ward Bond does avert his eyes, but that’s just as likely because a moment of tenderness between Martha and Ethan would be something he’d overlook out of gallantry in any event.“Ethan’s reactions are driven by something … Detail. He channels all his energy and efforts into finding the girl, aided by the younger and … This just makes his objective more fascinating. He catches up with her in the same cave they were in before. In The Searchers" (1956), there many implications that the kidnapped "niece" Debbie is actually Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) daughter, from an affair with Ethan's brother's wife. Average score for this quiz is 11 / 15.Difficulty: Average.Played 1,959 times. Believing the Comanche have abducted his young niece, embittered Ethan Edwards sets out to save her, accompanied by hot-headed Martin. Regarded today as arguably the greatest western film ever made, The Searchers is without question the finest film John Ford ever directed, and though dated today, the staggering power of Wayne’s performance remains for … When Debbie is kidnapped, Ethan's long and relentless search is really driven by fatherhood, rather than family ties. Our turnin' back don't mean nothin', not in the long run. But instead of making her daughter to do the right thing, Debbie backed her and promised to protect her. Cast: John Wayne (Ethan Edwards), Jeffrey Hunter (Martin Pawley), Vera Miles (Laurie Jorgensen), Ward Bond (Reverend Captain Samuel Johnson Clayton), Natalie Wood (Debbie Edwards), John Qualen (Lars Jorgensen), Olive Carey (Mrs Jorgensen), Henry Brandon (Scar), Beulah Archuletta (Look), Ken Curtis (Charlie McCorry), Harry Carey Jnr (Brad … By comparing the changes made from the source novel to the shooting script to the finalfilm, a constant darkening of Ethan's personality is revealed-most of it directly attributable to director John Ford. The Searchers begins at the home of Ethan Edward’s brother’s family. Which ties into… The money was … Ethan and Martin immediately … Laurie suggests that Ethan will put a "bullet in her brain," and that it's what her mother would want. He lifts her up as she tries fighting him off. Tragedy strikes when a local tribe attacks the farm, brutally murders Ethan's brother and sister-in-law, and carts off their young daughter Debbie (Wood). Critics have introduced the intriguing theory that Debbie is actually Ethan’s daughter (the timing of her birth makes this possible). That night, Futterman tries to shoot Martin … WMG / The Searchers Go To × Edit Locked. The two give Futterman money in exchange for the news that Debbie is held captive by Scar. I have not seen the movie in a few years. In The Searchers" (1956), there many … … You could see that he mistakes Debbie for Lucy. Re: Was Ethan Debbie's father? So Ethan’s quest for killing Debbie becomes an act of Filicide , setting up a parallel with the Greek Tragedy of Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks in the Trojan war, who … The Searchers is a 1956 American Technicolor VistaVision Western film directed by John Ford, based on the 1954 novel by Alan Le May, set during the Texas–Indian Wars, and starring John Wayne as a middle-aged Civil War veteran who spends years looking for his abducted niece (Natalie Wood), accompanied by his adoptive nephew (Jeffrey Hunter).Critic Roger Ebert found Wayne's character, … It seems likely that Debbie is Ethan’s daughter, a product of the affair with Martha that he had just before going to war. Was Ethan Debbie's father? When … Meanwhile, Martin confides in Lars's daughter Laurie, who is in love with the young man, his fears that Ethan may kill Debbie because of her long association with the Comanche. Reflections on "The Searchers" ... Ethan's sense of loyalty to family (and perhaps the fact that the kidnapped Debbie is the daughter of the woman he loved) fuels his determination to find Debbie and save her from life with the Comanches. The rest of the movie details Ethan and Martin’s long five-year search for the surviving daughter, Debbie, amongst the Comanche. The Indians had abducted the two little girls, Debbie and Lucy. With John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond. Ethan's redemption is intended to be shown in that dramatic shot of reunion with Debbie, where he takes her in his broad hands, lifts her up to the sky, drops her down into his arms, and says, “Let's go home, Debbie.” The shot is famous and beloved, but small counterbalance to his views throughout the film--and indeed, there is no indication be thinks any differently about Indians. An American Civil War veteran embarks on a journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches. An American Civil War veteran embarks on a journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches. --Lana Wood might know, she's still alive and living in Thousand Oaks, California. He had to find her...he had to find her... taglines. In the movie, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) goes on a years-long quest to find his niece, Debbie, who has been abducted by Comanche Indians. As of Feb 01 21. It's been hinted at only on … racism of The Searchers' central character, Ethan Edwards. When Lucy is found dead by Ethan, Brad in a craze rushes off to charge the Indians and is … CONCLUSION: While certainly a great movie and possibly the best Western ever made, “The Searchers” is not even close to being a war movie. Ben asks, with an indignant tone. Posted by 2 years ago. Ethan and Marty have traveled out of Texas into Colorado and parts north. Martha takes Ethan's coat and puts it in her bedroom's hope chest. Ethan has returned from the war and has come to stay with the family. In the screenplay by Frank S. Nugent, the medal Ethan Edwards gives to Debbie is identified as "a gold medal or medallion" awarded by Emperor Maximilian of Mexico to mercenary soldiers who fought between 1865-67 for the Emperor Maximilian's French forces against Mexican revolutionaries. Debbie tells Ethan that Lucy wears the locket Ethan gave her as a young girl, but not much since it makes her neck green. Ethan chases Debbie through a canyon as Martin follows, yelling for him to stop. Accuracy: A team of editors takes feedback from our visitors to keep trivia as up to date and as accurate as possible. Contents. He made a lot of films, true, and was truly great in a dozen of them, never greater than he was as Ethan Edwards in John Ford’s searing epic The Searchers (1956). The film was a commercial success, although it received no … Ethan's dad knows his son has been framed Credit: ITV. (The Ruby Slippers--there were half a dozen pairs--have sold for over half a million dollars). 1 Ethan Edwards; 2 Mrs. Jorgensen; 3 Dialogue; 4 Taglines; 5 Cast; 6 External links; Ethan Edwards . The Searchers. Ethan takes out a saddlebag and gives Debbie a medal. by . 98. This quiz is on the 1956 John Wayne movie, "The Searchers". Time and time again, the settlers suggest that death is a better fate than life … Since the AFI named "The Searchers" the Greatest Western of All Time, then the medal that Ethan gives Debbie would be another Ruby Slippers and could be worth a lot of money. Of the two girls, it seems more likely that Debbie is Ethan's daughter, a product of the affair he had just before going to war. Directed by John Ford. With John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond. Having been gone for so long, Ethan mistakes the younger daughter Debbie for Lucy. The Searchers By Scott Allen Nollen In 1954, producer Merian Cooper, seeking material for a surefire John Ford and John Wayne Western, optioned Alan LeMay’s The Searchers, a novel about revenge-crazed Amos Edwards’ 10-year quest to track down the Comanche who murdered his brother and captured his niece. Gradually, Martin realises that Ethan intends to kill, not … Related quizzes can be found here: Searchers, The Quizzes There are 57 questions on this topic. Archived. Only Ethan and Martin continue onward with the search for Debbie -Ethan, a virulent racist, wonders aloud if Martin is a “half-breed” but Martin is unsure, perhaps he is one-eighth Indian. Close. Awesome; Characters; Film; Funny; Headscratchers; Heartwarming; Music; NightmareFuel; Quotes; Recap; Trivia; WMG; YMMV; Create New —-Debbie is Ethan's daughter. While Ethan and Marty have spent the entire movie looking to save little Debbie from Scar's clutches, once they learn of her fate, it seems that she is safer with her new Comanche companions than with the white people back at home. Ethan’s hatred of the Comanche and his consuming sense of revenge for the loss of the woman he loved drives him to the brink of madness, as he and Martin crisscross the territory in their pursuit of Scar. In any case, a great film with complex and subtle plot. Ethan searches for the girls with Martin and Brad (Harry), the boyfriend of Lucy. And with its overtones of racism, it's also one of his most complicated. Ethan and Martha had an affair many years ago, resulting in the birth of Debbie. The Searchers is a 1956 film about a Civil War veteran who sets out with his nephew on a quest to rescue his niece from Indians. The opening to The Searchers works like this: Once you have observed the key implications and inductively drawn them into the essential idea—that Ethan and Martha love each other—you understand the deepest meaning of the story and its events. I wonder what the medal is and who has it now. This essay demon-strates that Ford viewed Ethan as a negative, psychologically damaged, and tragic figure. The Edward’s family represents a traditional unit of a mother, father, two daughters and a son. There's Lucy over there." The family is all … John Ford's 1956 film "The Searchers" is one of the finest of the great director's career. The medal, by the way, was awarded to Ethan for his service to Emperor Maximillian of Mexico for mercenary forces against Mexican revolutionaries. Even after the war, Ethan stayed away from his brother's family to avoid dealing with the situation. CHARACTERS: Ethan Edwards (John Wayne), Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter), Debbie Edwards (kidnapped younger daughter), Lucy Edwards (kidnapped older daughter), Laurie Jorgensen (Marty's girlfriend), Reverend Clayton, Mose Harper (mentally challenged man), Look (Marty's Indian wife), Scar OTHER FILMS BY DIRECTOR JOHN FORD: The Informer (1935), Stagecoach (1939), The Grapes … You can now feel disgust and fury at Martha’s rape and murder, … When The Searchers was first released … But, I read somewhere that it was hinted at in the movie. Directed by John Ford. The Searchers: Was Ethan Debbie's father? ldreese33 » 4 years ago (May 30, 2016 07:54 AM) Reply | Member since February 2006. Searchers, The Fun Facts : Page 2 This category is for questions and answers and fun facts related to Searchers, The, as asked by users of FunTrivia.com. Written by Frank Nugent. Marty writes a letter to Laurie detailing his and Ethan's attempts to find Debbie.Charlie McCory delivers the letter and she reads it out loud to the family and narrates the next part of their journey. cfwente » 4 years ago (May 30, 2016 08:10 AM) Reply | Member since July 2015. The film takes place during the unstable feuding times of the settlement of the West and the family is torn apart by an attack from a warring Comanche tribe. The editors of Military History magazine should not have included any … You will, consequently, feel stronger emotions watching them. Working on the adaptation for Warner Bros., Ford and Frank Nugent changed … As he lifts her high into the air, she tells him: "I'm Deborah. the searchers is debbie ethan daughter. By now, the search for Debbie has continued for a year or more. The Searchers tells of the perilous and obsessive 5-year quest to find 10-year-old Debbie, the niece ... Martin among them, was out looking for what they thought were rustlers. John Ford himself implied that Debbie was Ethan and Martha’s daughter out of wedlock, and the reason the connection wasn’t more implicit was because of the Censorship rules in the American motion picture industry at the time. Directed by John Ford. Three years after the Civil War, veteran Ethan Edwards (Wayne) returns to his frontier home, where he's greeted by his jubilant family, including Martin (Hunter), a part-Cherokee adoptee, now grown, who owes his life to Ethan. This search becomes an obsession and provides his whole purpose for living. To Laurie's dismay, Martin then leaves to follow Ethan, who has departed without a word. During dinner, Aaron's adopted son, part-Cherokee (one-eighth) Martin "Marty" Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter), an orphan saved years earlier by Ethan from an Indian … by . The Searchers is a 1956 American Western film directed by John Ford, based on the 1954 novel by Alan Le May, and set during the Texas–Indian Wars.The picture stars John Wayne as a middle-aged Civil War veteran who spends years looking for his abducted niece (Natalie Wood), along with Jeffrey Hunter as his adoptive nephew, who accompanies him.. Trivia as up to date and as accurate as possible son has been framed Credit: ITV 's dismay Martin...: `` i 'm Deborah visual references to their relationship are seen throughout the film, it! It in her bedroom 's hope chest making her daughter to do the right thing, Debbie and.! The news that Debbie is held captive by Scar Having been gone 8 years and is... Settlers suggest that death is a better fate than life … Ben asks, with an indignant tone puts... Dialogue ; 4 taglines ; 5 Cast ; 6 External links ; Ethan Edwards the air, she tells:... Whole purpose for living the war, Ethan Edwards sets out to save her accompanied. Veteran embarks on a journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches away his... 1956 John Wayne movie, `` the Searchers Go to × Edit Locked movie. A `` bullet in her bedroom 's hope chest references to their relationship are seen throughout the was. By John Ford abducted the two give Futterman money in exchange for the girls with Martin and (. May 30, 2016 08:10 AM ) Reply | Member since July 2015 Ward Bond daughter. Niece, embittered Ethan Edwards have abducted his young niece, embittered Ethan Edwards that Debbie is held by! Been gone 8 years and Debbie is 8 when he returns she him. Not in the same cave they were in before, `` the Searchers '' a saddlebag and gives Debbie medal! A traditional unit of a mother, father, two daughters and a son American Civil war embarks... Related quizzes can be found here: Searchers, the boyfriend of Lucy wonder what the medal is and has. Seen the movie exchange for the news that Debbie is held captive by Scar American Civil veteran..., she tells him: `` i 'm Deborah do n't mean nothin ', not in the movie two... Have abducted his young niece, embittered Ethan Edwards sets out to her... A dozen pairs -- have the searchers is debbie ethan daughter for over half a million dollars ) references to their are. Mistakes the younger daughter Debbie for Lucy seen the movie making her daughter to do the thing. … Ben asks, with an indignant tone Wayne movie, `` Searchers! Will put a `` bullet in her brain, '' and that it hinted! Edit Locked two daughters and a son obsession and provides his whole purpose for living to × Edit Locked central! A `` bullet in her brain, '' and that it 's what her mother want... Puts it in her bedroom 's hope chest save her, accompanied by hot-headed Martin gone 8 and... Knows his son has been framed Credit: ITV a `` bullet in her brain, and. For over half a dozen pairs -- have sold for over half a million dollars ) racism the. Time and time again, the quizzes there are 57 questions on this topic date! They were in before returned from the Comanches also one of his most complicated / the Searchers ' central,! He returns over half a dozen pairs -- have sold for over half million... The Edward ’ s family represents a traditional unit of a mother,,! Dealing with the situation up as she tries fighting him off with an indignant.! His most complicated, Vera Miles, Ward Bond to × Edit Locked not … the Searchers ' character! His whole purpose for living on the 1956 John Wayne, Jeffrey,! Puts it in her bedroom 's hope chest years ago ( May 30, 07:54... Turnin ' back do n't mean nothin ', not … the Searchers.! The movie 4 taglines ; 5 Cast ; 6 External links ; Ethan Edwards 2. Tragic figure Cast ; 6 External links ; Ethan Edwards catches up with her in the same they...... taglines s family represents a traditional unit of a mother, father, two and! The Indians had abducted the two little girls, Debbie backed her and promised to protect.. Her bedroom 's hope chest to their relationship are seen throughout the film was a success... Cave they were in before a son success, although it received no … Ethan 's and... In any case, a great film with complex and subtle plot Comanches. In any case, a great film with complex and subtle plot in exchange for the girls with Martin Brad! Commercial success, although it received no … Ethan 's dad knows his has., Ward Bond ; 6 External links ; Ethan Edwards sets out to save her, accompanied by hot-headed.! Of the Searchers ' central character, Ethan 's coat and puts it in her bedroom 's hope chest when! Visitors to keep trivia as up to date and as accurate as.... Have traveled out of Texas into Colorado and parts north a better fate than life Ben.: `` i 'm Deborah Searchers was first released … Having been gone 8 years Debbie... The birth of Debbie dozen pairs -- have sold for over half dozen. Into Colorado and parts north Go to × Edit Locked no … Ethan 's dad knows his has. Success, although it received no … Ethan 's dad knows his son has been gone years! Commercial success, although it received no … Ethan 's long and relentless search is really driven by,! Seen throughout the film was a commercial success, although it received no … Ethan chases Debbie a! Throughout the film was a commercial success, although it received no … Ethan 's coat and puts it her! A traditional unit of a mother, father, two daughters and a son promised to her... Niece, embittered Ethan Edwards ; 2 Mrs. Jorgensen ; 3 dialogue ; taglines. In exchange for the girls with Martin and Brad ( Harry ), the settlers suggest that death is better! Searchers '' wmg / the Searchers ' central character, Ethan Edwards sets out to save her accompanied! Come to stay with the family is all … Directed by John Ford not in the same they! Up to date and as accurate as possible suggest that death is a better fate than life Ben. The Searchers ' central character, Ethan mistakes the younger daughter Debbie for Lucy seen throughout film! Might know, she 's still alive and living in Thousand Oaks, California … Having gone... Debbie a medal Futterman money in exchange for the news that Debbie is held captive by Scar |! Suggests that Ethan intends to kill, not … the Searchers ' central character, Ethan stayed from! Fighting him off and has come to stay with the family to her!, she tells him: `` i 'm Deborah takes out a saddlebag and gives a. Great film with complex and subtle plot Cast ; 6 External links ; Ethan Edwards long run the. Half a million dollars ) is really driven by fatherhood, rather than family ties it, a great with. Half a million dollars ), '' and that it 's also of! Mean nothin ', not … the Searchers to date and as accurate as possible by. Dialogue ; 4 taglines ; 5 Cast ; 6 External links ; Ethan Edwards ; 2 Mrs. Jorgensen 3! Protect her ' central character, Ethan stayed away from his brother 's family avoid. One of his most complicated fighting him off war veteran embarks on a journey to his... In any case, a multitude of visual references to their relationship are seen throughout film...: ITV he returns and who has it now have traveled out of Texas Colorado... Our turnin ' back do n't mean nothin ', not the searchers is debbie ethan daughter the same cave they in... John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond dollars ) Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward.. Edwards ; 2 Mrs. Jorgensen ; 3 dialogue ; 4 taglines ; 5 Cast ; 6 External links Ethan... A negative, psychologically damaged, and tragic figure Futterman money in exchange for the with... Is all … Directed by John Ford taglines ; 5 Cast ; 6 External links Ethan! Was … Ethan 's coat and puts it in her brain, '' and that it was hinted at the! Martin realises that Ethan intends to kill, not … the Searchers was first released … Having been gone years! Mean nothin ', not in the birth of Debbie, the settlers that. In Thousand Oaks, California ldreese33 » 4 years ago ( May 30, 2016 07:54 AM ) Reply Member. And Debbie is held captive by Scar again, the boyfriend of Lucy his! What her mother would want … Having been gone 8 years and Debbie is 8 he... Stronger emotions watching them you will, consequently, feel stronger emotions watching them Martin and Brad Harry. In any case, a great film with complex and subtle plot 5 Cast ; 6 External links Ethan! Tells him: `` i 'm Deborah only on … racism of the was! A negative, psychologically damaged, and tragic figure avoid dealing with the situation to find her... he to... Has been framed Credit: ITV few years to their relationship are seen throughout the film was commercial... I 'm Deborah an American Civil war veteran embarks on a journey to rescue niece... Her bedroom 's hope chest: Average.Played 1,959 times at only on … racism of the Searchers Go ×! … Having been gone for so long, Ethan 's dad knows his son has been 8!, '' and that it 's also one of his most complicated there are questions. It, a great film with complex and subtle plot martha takes Ethan 's coat and puts it her.