Posted on 07/19/2003 1:45:34 AM PDT by kattracks
Maureen O'Hara summed up John Wayne best.Explaining to Congress why the actor merited the nation's Medal of Honor, his frequent co-star said: "John Wayne is the United States of America."
Not everybody will agree with O'Hara's summation of the actor's long career in films. That's pointed out in tomorrow night's PBS special, "John Wayne - The Unquiet American," airing on WNET/Ch. 13 at 10 o'clock.
In archival interviews - Wayne died June 11, 1979 - the actor emerges as a man determined to shape his life and image to reflect his conservative values and belief in the United States.
He scoffs at politicians "who kowtow to minorities for the vote."
Filmmaker Oliver Stone says of Wayne: "There was no sexuality, but there was honesty. You knew what you were getting."
So did the public, since Wayne remains the most popular American movie actor in history.
The one nick in his armor was putting career above the country he loved during World War II. He shirked a call to arms when other actors such as Clark Gable, Robert Taylor, Henry Fonda and Tyrone Power entered the service.
Wayne's life is traced from childhood (he was born Marion Morrison) to his death, using home movies, archival footage, photographs and insights from family and friends.
"What he was creating was an image, not only of manhood or of a particular actor, but [of what] many came to think of America," says Garry Wills, author of "John Wayne's America."
Helping to shape that image was director John Ford, with whom Wayne had a long and fruitful collaboration on such classics as "Stagecoach," "The Searchers" and "The Quiet Man."
They both were drinkers, and shared the same values and love for this country. To the macho actor, Ford was a mentor and father figure who helped shape his career.
Produced by Martin Davidson and directed by James Kent, "John Wayne - The Unquiet American" is a collage of pieces of this beloved star.
It doesn't pull punches, nor does it set out to destroy the heroic image.
Originally published on July 19, 2003
"Fill your hands you son-of-a-bitch!"
My husband and I often quote the squire when we're disgusted with someone:
Put his name on The List and draw a line through it.
That is, at best,unclear, and "shirked" is certainly a perjorative term. Other biographies claim he was not accepted due to a prior knee problem, age, family. I do not know what is correct.
Typical PBS bullshit lies. Wayne tried to enter the service but was rejected on medical reasons due to an old football injury. Of course, the liberal elite at PBS will tell any lie to trash this man's reputation.
Not a bad line....
if it doesn't "set out to destroy" does this sentence implie that it does just that by the end? ...rto
That'll be the day.
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