Bill Walker
Well-Known Member
The story you're recalling likely involves the 1939 John Ford film "Stagecoach," where John Wayne became a mainstream star. While the specific incident of the Sioux actors using uncomplimentary language is a popular anecdote, it's not definitively linked to "Stagecoach". The story is often told as a humorous example of how Hollywood sometimes overlooked the nuances of Native American languages and culture when portraying them on screen.Reminds me of the John Wayne film in which he typically won the West, fought the Injuns, etc. The studio hired a group of Sioux (I think) to speak a few lines in their own language without checking what they actually said, which turned out to be highly uncomplimentary about Wayne and the version of American history he portrayed; also very rude and funny (if you spoke Sioux.)
The tale involves Native American actors hired to speak in their native language, with the assumption that they were providing authentic dialogue. However, the lines they delivered were reportedly insulting to the film's characters and portrayed version of history.
It's definitely one of the all time classics though and time I watched it again. :)
