John Ford westerns

The great director John Ford once introduced himself by saying, “I make westerns,” and he certainly did. Ford’s pictures set the standard for the genre, and it is a pleasure to report that four of his best will be on the American Cinematheque’s big screen at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. A double bill of the cavalry epics “Fort Apache” and “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” will screen tonight, while Sunday has the twin classics “The Searchers” and “Stagecoach.” Both nights start at 7:30. If you want more Ford, and who wouldn’t, check out the multi-Oscar winning “How Green Was My Valley” on Friday night.

-- Kenneth Turan