Free Republic

Robert Evans passed away on Saturday night at the age of 89. The Hollywood legend made his mark on the industry starting in the 1967 when he became the head of Paramount Pictures. The Godfather, Chinatown, The Godfather Part II, Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Rosemary's baby, Harold and Maude, Serpico, True Grit, The Italian Job and The Great Gatsby were just a few of the films released during his tenure. At the same time, Evans was thrust into the spotlight when his third of seven wives, Ali McGraw, left him for Steven McQueen. Evans later fell on...

A lot of people were involved in filming “True Grit” in 1968 and ‘69. Now a lot of people are involved in celebrating the 50th anniversary of that occasion. Ridgway will be busting at the seams throughout this coming weekend, Oct. 11, 12 and 13. Bob Dejulio for the past 50 years has been remembered as the artist who transformed Ridgway into an 1873 Fort Smith, Arkansas. “That whole Main Street (South Lena), I lettered,” said DeJulio. “The biggest share of the buildings were originals with false fronts and signage. The courthouse was made especially for the production. I was...

Full Title: 'He didn't care what race, gender, sexual orientation you were': John Wayne's son defends his father over homophobic slur he used in 1971 interview which resurfaced John Wayne’s son says a 1971 Playboy interview in which the famed actor says he ‘believes in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility’ was ‘used out of context.’ Ethan Wayne on Saturday defended his late father, the Oscar-winning star of True Grit and Sands of Iwo Jima, who died of stomach cancer in 1979. John Wayne’s controversial comments about African Americans, homosexuals, and Native Americans in...

This story contains graphic details, images and video. If Norem let go, the jumper would die. Cars would swerve and crash. Others might die too. But Norem was determined not to let that happen. He wrapped the man’s leg in a bear hug and lifted his feet, using his body to anchor the jumper to the overpass. The man had too much leverage for Norem to pull him off the fence, but Norem – a big cop loaded with gear – was too strong and too heavy for the man to yank free. It was a stalemate in a tug-of-war...

“They tell me you’re a man with True Grit.” Kim Darby to John Wayne in the original True Grit (1969) The character Rooster Cogburn certainly had True Grit, but so did the majority of Americans in our history. Unfortunately, the well-known American True Grit; our courage, honesty, common sense and heartiness have virtually disappeared from most Americans in the 21st Century. We are no longer the United States of the Minutemen, the Cowboy, The Boys of Pointe Du Hoc, the Mountain Men and Merrill’s Marauders. Where is the America of Jim Bowie, Jedediah Smith, Wyatt Earp, George Patton, Chesty Puller,...

...."I have had grits before," he told a crowd at a Mobile cafe on Saturday morning, making a not-so-subtle knock on former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's joking admission to an audience that he was starting to like the favorite Southern food. ....The former House Speaker contended that was evidence of a larger problem facing his rival: "I figure if you don't understand grits, there's a pretty high likelihood that you don't understand the rest of the South, either." ...."We have momentum, but we haven't won," he told a crowd at his second cafe stop of the day - Mama Lou's...

The two versions of "True Grit" are like Athens, Greece, and Athens, Georgia: They've got the same name, but they're in totally different worlds. Yet for all their differences, both Westerns found plenty of fans and got plenty of Oscar attention. John Wayne was named Best Actor for the 1969 original, and the 2010 remake, directed by the Coen brothers, competes for 10 Oscars on Feb. 27, including Best Picture and Best Director. So which movie is better? Take a look at these comparisons and decide which version you think is the truest … and the grittiest.

I just watched the remake of True Grit and I was disapointed to say the least. The kid did well, but the whole movie seemed to be a lukewarmed version of the original. This movie had all the stuff, just like a c on a term paper. Blah. When you watch the original you get involved in the movie. This is a sad satire of a classic.

Heritage Auctions spokesman Donn Pearlman on Tuesday said the auction will include more than 700 personal and professional items, including an eye patch Wayne wore in his Golden Globe-winning performance in "True Grit."

Life, both personal and national, is filled with trials. As we strive to overcome economic problems at home and attacks by fanatical believers abroad, we will need true grit. But no matter how much grit we can muster, at our worst moments we will also need something to lean on. We seem to be doing our best to remove every vestige of that something from our public life. We assume that if we believe in nothing at all, the fanatics who hate us and despise our way of life will become less fanatical. They won’t. They will only be encouraged...

On April 7, 1970, John Wayne received the Academy Award for best actor after wowing people in the movie "True Grit." For Wayne, it was really a lifetime achievement recognition, as he beat out the likes of Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight, all considered "serious" actors, unlike Wayne, who specialized in personality-driven performances. Wayne's portrayal of hard-drinking U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn was a classic. The actor totally blew away his co-stars Kim Darby and Glenn Campbell (yes, that Glenn Campbell). In one scene, the Duke is riding the range between Darby and Campbell, and they look...

"True Grit" is a tale whose time had come and gone. It's the good fortune of a new generation that its time has come again. The novel by Charles Portis, which sold only about 25,000 copies between 2007 and 2009, has been bought by 10,000 new readers since the new version of the movie opened this month. In an age when twittering conversation is limited to 140 characters, where children become chubby couch potatoes changing channels with a remote control or playing war games moving fantasy soldiers around on a screen, Mattie Ross is an authentic heroine -- lean, mean,...

Each year the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) nominates 10 films in its Golden Globe competition for best motion picture, five in the drama category, five in the musical or comedy category. This year, the HFPA chose not to nominate a film that was more powerful than any of the dramas selected and funnier than any of the comedies, the Coen brothers' "True Grit." In fact, "True Grit," the year's best movie and one of the best Westerns ever made, received not a single nomination for anything – not supporting actress, not screenplay, not anything. If ever a sign were...

For those who feel it's disloyal to the memory of John Wayne to even watch the new version of "True Grit," please hold your horses. To not give this film a chance on that basis is like not giving Elvis Presley's version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" a chance because you think it's disloyal to Art Garfunkel. Even Paul Simon said Elvis nailed it. And Jeff Bridges turns in a stunning performance as Rooster Cogburn. Or should I say, a staggering performance. He plays a gruff, seemingly oblivious, functional alcoholic with paternal undertones of regret which will feel familiar to...

I know, many of you can't bear the idea of somebody, anybody, taking on a role once played by John Wayne. I too was skeptical as I am a devoted Duke fan.However, I'm also a great fan of Jeff Bridges and the Coen Brothers.And, I can tell you this: The Dude does The Duke proud.This is certainly the best Western since Unforgiven and probably in the top 10 ever. Yes, it's far better than the original in every respect.Acting, dialogue, mood and photography come together to be the best movie the Coen Brothers have made.It's not a story about vengeance....

Chicago Tribune, Michael Phillips:A grittier 'Grit' Talent upgrade better matches a classic novel McClatchy-Tribune via The Orange County Register, Christopher Kelly: 'True Grit' is a true classic

Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon star in the Coen Brothers' remake of Westerner 'True Grit'. http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid32525967001?bclid=713046265&bctid=645298826001

Well, your wait, if you were waiting, is over. The trailer for the Coen Brothers' TRUE GRIT has been released. Thoughts? It's a good lookin' trailer. However, that song instantly drove me insane. The whole time I was like, "When will this fade out?" Maybe something instrumental would have been better? I might be alone in this thought. Other than that, it's really my only complaint. It also reminds me of how bad ass and manly John Wayne was. Then again, so is Jeff Bridges, who from the looks of this trailer slides comfortably into the role of Rooster Cogburn....

In 1969, John Wayne played Rooster Cogburn in "True Grit" -- a grizzled, drunken U.S. Marshal hired by a 14-year-old girl to track down her father's killer. The role ended up winning the aging Western star his first and only Oscar, prompting him to make a rare sequel -- "Rooster Cogburn" -- opposite Katherine Hepburn in 1975. The image of Wayne's craggy, eye-patched visage from "True Grit" has become a cinematic icon. So film mavens everywhere were taken aback when it was announced last year that Joel and Ethan Coen would been making their own version of "True Grit." But...

CMT (Country Music Television) has a new series out called True Grit, and the first episode is about Ronald Reagan! I just saw the first showing, and it is really well done. Here are the rebroadcast times for this same episode: Sunday, February 19, 2006 1:00 AM ET/PT Sunday, February 19, 2006 2:00 PM ET/PT Sunday, February 19, 2006 9:00 PM ET/PT Monday, February 20, 2006 5:00 PM ET/PT Tuesday, February 21, 2006 8:00 PM ET/PT Saturday, February 25, 2006 7:00 PM ET/PT Sunday, February 26, 2006 7:00 PM ET/PT