Henry Fonda was a true 'original', a consummate actor who made his craft look so easy that he was frequently underrated. Often called the "Quintessential American", he embodied integrity, courage, selflessness; qualities that he never trumpeted, but offered with quiet dignity.

Whether facing the Depression ('The Grapes of Wrath'), cleaning up a lawless town ('My Darling Clementine'), or facing the ravages of old age ('On Golden Pond (Special Edition)'), Fonda gave each role his own unique interpretation. No one could have played the roles with more conviction!

May I offer a selection of 20 'Must Have' Fonda films for your collection?

The Essentials

'You Only Live Once': Fritz Lang's powerful tale of heartless society forcing ex-con Fonda down deadly path is timeless masterpiece; Sylvia Sidney and Fonda are brilliant in tragic roles...

'Jezebel': Tour-de-force performance of Bette Davis as willful Southern girl won her an Oscar, and Fonda, as the 'true love' she loses in her conceit is every bit as good...

'Jessie James': BIG 1939 western of notorious outlaw brothers; while lead Tyrone Power was expected to be THE attraction, Fonda surprised Fox by proving to be as popular, as older brother, Frank...

'The Story of Alexander Graham Bell': One of Fox' most popular biopics, with Fonda in support of Don Ameche's Bell; highly romanticized story, but Fonda's Watson steals film...

'Young Mr Lincoln': First Fonda/Ford teaming SHOULD be on DVD! Fonda is marvellous as young lawyer Lincoln, in fictionalized story of future President...

'Drums Along the Mohawk': Second 1939 Fonda/Ford teaming is even BETTER; in Colonial upstate New York, young farmer Fonda and bride Claudette Colbert face British-backed Indian uprising...

'The Grapes of Wrath': Third Fonda/Ford teaming is MASTERPIECE! Lyrical, tragic John Steinbeck tale of Depression, evicting families from homes, and forcing them into nomadic lives; Fonda is unforgettable in lead...

'The Lady Eve - Criterion Collection': Preston Sturges comic masterpiece, as beautiful con Barbara Stanwyck seduces rich innocent Fonda; comedy doesn't get any better than this...

'The Ox-Bow Incident': Daring expose of lynch mob injustice, as three innocents are hanged, unjustly; Fonda unforgettable as voice of reason, drowned out by mob hatred...

'My Darling Clementine': One of the GREAT westerns, John Ford's lyrical 'take' on the gunfight at the O.K. Corral; Fonda is ideal as Wyatt Earp...

'Fort Apache': Another CLASSIC that SHOULD be on DVD! Ford teamed Fonda and John Wayne in first of 'Cavalry Trilogy', as Custer-like commander leads his command to disaster...

'Mister Roberts': Film version of Fonda stage hit cost him his friendship with John Ford, but still stands as one of the best WWII comedy/dramas; brilliant teaming of Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell (in last film), and Jack Lemmon (who won first Oscar)...

'War & Peace (1956) (Ws Sub)': King Vidor adaptation of massive novel may have oversimplified story, but remains a sparkling, spectacular achievement; Fonda and Audrey Hepburn shine...

'12 Angry Men': Classic drama of murder trial, and one juror (Fonda, of course), who stands alone in his conviction that defendant is innocent; top-notch cast, gripping story...

'Advise and Consent': Fabulous Otto Preminger expose of Washington politics offers a perfect cast; Fonda is Secretary of State nominee, with Communist ties in his past...

'Spencer's Mountain': One of Fonda's most likable roles, as patriarch of large mountain family; Maureen O'Hara dazzles as his wife, James MacArthur as eldest son; eventually rewritten to become "The Waltons"...

'Fail-safe (Special Edition)': One of the most powerful anti-war films of all time; as error sends B-52 to Moscow to drop A-Bomb, President Fonda must find way to prevent WWIII; same story was basis for "Dr. Strangelove"...

'Yours, Mine and Ours': Delightful family comedy of Naval officer Fonda marrying widow Lucille Ball, and combining two HUGE households; features a very young Tim ("Animal House") Matheson...

'Once Upon a Time in the West': Controversial Sergio Leone western classic most famous for Fonda's brilliant against-type casting as cold-blooded killer; fans screamed, but Fonda was unforgettable in role...

'On Golden Pond (Special Edition)': Overwrought but powerful drama of old age, death, and mending family divisions gave Fonda opportunity to work with daughter Jane, and Katharine Hepburn; Hepburn and Fonda both won Oscars, in his final theatrical film...

Conclusion

As always, producing an 'essential' list leaves out many worthy films, and Henry Fonda's career was filled with unforgettable, powerful performances. I hope my choices will, however, encourage you to explore more of Fonda's work.