John Ford statue dedication, 1998

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Creator

Collection

Portland Press Herald Still-Film Negatives Collection

Document Type

Still Image

Call number of Original

PH 13 JUL 1998

Contributing Institution

Portland Public Library Special Collections & Archives

Location

Portland, Cumberland, Maine, USA

Creation Date

7-13-1998

Format of Original

35mm gelatin silver negative

Description

General view of Gorham's Corner from west, during the unveiling and dedication ceremonies for the John Ford statue on 12 July 1998. Born John Martin Feeney in 1894, Ford was a six-time Oscar winning Hollywood film director.

The Feeney family lived on Sheridan Street, on Munjoy Hill, and Ford's father John Feeney Sr., from County Galway (Ireland) owned a store at 42 Center Street near Gorham's Corner where the statue was placed. Ford was an alumnus of Portland High School, and was nicknamed "Bull Feeney" for his football playing style. He died in 1973, at age 79, and is regarded by many film critics as America's greatest cinematic director.

The 10ft bronze sculpture was made by New York artist George Kelly, and is set on a stone pedestal facing where Feeney's market was located. Six 4ft high granite blocks circle the statue, each inscribed with descriptions of Ford's Academy Award-winning films: "The Informer" (1935), "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940), "How Green Was My Valley" (1941), "The Battle of Midway" (1942), "December 7th" (1943), and "The Quiet Man" (1952).

Photo published in the Portland Press Herald, on 13 July 1998

Recommended Citation

"John Ford statue dedication, 1998" (1998). Events - Portland Press Herald Still Film Negatives. 36.
https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/pphnegs_images_events/36