Duking it out over John Wayne

New York Daily News ^ | 7/19/03 | Kay Gardella

[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

[LS]

The best biography is "John Wayne, American," by James Olsen and another author.

Wayne got a deferment based on the fact that he had several kids.

This book, while written by a couple of liberals, is fair and well-written. Wayne, like many successful men, paid a price for fame and fortune with several marriages and estrangement from his children.

[IronJack]

WIth PBS's reputation for liberal bias, you can expect this "documentary" to be a thinly veiled jeremiad against another conservative cultural icon. Of course, these are the same people who portray Lyndon Johnson as a man deeply troubled by Vietnam, and FDR as a social savior.

[LS]

Then there is this story told in "John Wayne, American": a reporter went to Hollywood to interview Wayne on the set. He arrived quite late, about 10:00 am, whem much moviemaking has already been completed, yet he walked onto a set where people were sitting around, drinking coffee, playing cards, and reading papers.

"What's going on?" asked the reporter.

A stagehand explained, "Well, we don't do any work around here until the Duke takes his daily 'constitutional'."

Suddenly red lights started flashing, a horn went off, and a young boy came running out of the back as the actors and key grips ran to their places.

The boy was shouting, "The Duke has taken a dump! The Duke has taken a dump!"

Or this one, from the same book: Wayne was filming "The Alamo" on location when the extras and stunt people messed up a scene for the third or fourth time.

Wayne let out a string of profanity, when he was tapped on the shoulder by an executive.

"You have some visitors, John," the exec said.

Still red-faced and angry over the blown scene, Wayne turned to find a gaggle of Nuns beaming, waiting for autographs. They had heard the entire exchange. Wayne vowed to never cuss on a set again.

[Mustang]

The Duke's "non-military" service was, and continues to be, the left's favorite stab toward John Wayne.

As stated in this thread; by Redleg Duke, cantonsville, Non-Sequitur, you and others, the facts of John Waynes' deferment for military service are ignored and distorted. It's how the anti-American left functions...their days are numbered. The Duke never "shirked" sh#t!

As an aside, imho, the best tome on the Duke is "John Wayne American" by James S. Olson & Randy W. Roberts.

Mustang sends from "Malpaso News"

[ThomasMore]

"The Quiet Man" is one of my favorites.

[Hue68]

He was also 36 years old, I believe and the father of 4 children. He would never had been taken for the military service.

My great-uncle was drafted when he was 50. He was a well respected merchant in Spokane and they put him in charge of a food warehousing operation.

[ThomasMore]

When war broke out, John Wayne tried to enlist but was rejected because of an old football injury to his shoulder, his age (34), and his status as a married father of four. He flew to Washington to plead that he be allowed to join the Navy but was turned down. So he poured himself into the war effort by making inspirational war films - among them The Fighting Seabees, Back to Bataan and They Were Expendable. To those back home and others around the world he became a symbol of the determined American fighting man.

Thank you for posting this. I would have posted it myself. So I am reposting this again for all to take note. I hate when the media get this part screwed up. The Duke was one of the most patriotic men ever to live in the USA. Like Maureen O'Hara said, "John Wayne is the United States of America."

[Shooter 2.5]

He carried a .38 in movies in 5½" I believe.

I was told it was a 38-40. Until a year ago, I thought the 38-40 had the traditional Caliber-Blackpowder load. Not so. It's the only cartridge that had reversed the numbers. A 38-40 is a blackpowder load of 38 grains[or the modern equivalent] with a .40 caliber bullet.

[ThomasMore]

When war broke out, John Wayne tried to enlist but was rejected because of an old football injury to his shoulder, his age (34), and his status as a married father of four. He flew to Washington to plead that he be allowed to join the Navy but was turned down. So he poured himself into the war effort by making inspirational war films - among them The Fighting Seabees, Back to Bataan and They Were Expendable. To those back home and others around the world he became a symbol of the determined American fighting man.

Thank you for posting this. I would have posted it myself. So I am reposting this again for all to take note. I hate when the media get this part screwed up. The Duke was one of the most patriotic men ever to live in the USA. Like Maureen O'Hara said, "John Wayne is the United States of America."

[Maigrey]

I really like the line...

It's only 5 miles... just a stretch of the legs.

[Maigrey]

I've got to disagree with this quote

Filmmaker Oliver Stone says of Wayne: "There was no sexuality, but there was honesty. You knew what you were getting."

'Scuse me, but he was a real man, effusing masculinity and most of the time, got the lady at the end of the film.

[Mustang]

Good post, TM. These facts will never see the light in the leftist press/media.

[SandRat]

A line of the Duke's when he portrayed CAPT Nathan Bridle, US Cavalry was;

"Mister Parnell, Don't apologize it's a sign of weakness!"

Do you think GW has taken that concept to heart?

Excuse me my mind wandered there for a minute, it is unfamiliar territory after all.

The Duke should be honored for having the raw courage to make "The Green Beret!" despite all the Anti-Nam War crowd.

[mommadooo3]

No, thank YOU for reposting that.

I can remember the Duke being my mom's favorite. AND that he was a hero to the men in our family. (vets/civilians)

[VOA]

The liberal low lifes at pbs can never lower the stature of the great John Wayne,
no matter how they try.

As much as I hate the federal entitlement program for PBS, I still watch for
"opposition research".
I won't be shocked if this John Wayne retrospective ends up having the opposite
effect desired by the PBS weasels...probably will just show a great, ICONIC
American actor. (Who could have added to his mythic status if he'd followed
the likes of Jimmy Stewart into war-time service.)

I suspect there are a few conservative moles at PBS...The American Experience
and NOVA (notably, the "Secrets, Lies and Atomic Spies") are often amazing fair
in profiling major figures (e.g., Reagan, Gen. McArthur).

And even when liberal/radical propagando is done by PBS, it often backfires. A year or
so ago when the Islamic apologist crap titled "Mohammed, Legacy of A Prophet" appeared,
even one liberal radio show host here in Los Angeles said it basically showed
how screwed up Islam is as a religion and an ideology.

[RGSpincich]

He shirked a call to arms

One patented John Wayne overhand right to Oliver Stone's already flat face is called for here. OS undoubtedly fed this tripe to the willing reporter.

[RGSpincich]

The Duke should be honored for having the raw courage to make "The Green Beret!" despite all the Anti-Nam War crowd.

And then attending some college campuses to address students. Fearless and patriotic, no shirker of duty.

[Perfesser]

I do not believe the left would find fault with the Duke for not serving, in fact they would welcome such action. What they really hated was the wonderful and powerful job that he did in portraying what an American military man should be and what patriotism means. What they despise the most is pro Amercanism.

[mommadooo3]

LOL...here's another that may be worthy of a 'repost'...

John Wayne, in his own words,On His One Great Dissapointment

"Ever since we moved to California, I loved the sea. More than anything else, I wanted to go to Annapolis and become an officer in the Navy. It was a terrible disappointment when I didn't make it. In a way, I guess I never really got over it...."

[Perfesser]

"Commancheros". At the the poker game with his new "partner" (Lee Marvin). The Duke is forced to shoot him. Frenchie (Stuart Whitman) asks "Why'd you kill him?"
The Duke replies, "It wasn't the time not to". Classic.