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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
Tom Doniphon (John Wayne) telling Ranse Stoddard (Jimmy Stewart) who really shot Liberty Valance.
We have been trying to see all his movies... since he made over 120 of them, we have a long way to go! We love the westerns some have already mentioned on this thread, and we particularly enjoy "Wings of Eagles" ...delightful and funny.
Rio Bravo? Or Rio Lobo? They were the same film with different sidekicks. Dean Martin and Robert Mitchum to be precise. Both great films. My personal fav is Rio Lobo for Jennifer O'Neil
Y'all flame away now.
I didn't know he had an old injury...correct me if I'm wrong.
You come close, Pilgrim, but no cigar.
It is Rio Bravo and El Dorado. Also Rick Nelson and James Caan.
Rio Lobo was one of the poorer ones with George Plimpton, the WASP who tried out different professions ('Paper Tiger' as a Lions qb) with a bit part.
John Wayne's friendship with director John Ford was well-known, along with their drinking bouts, but how many FReepers know that Ford's son, Peter, is cut from the same cloth?
Not your typical Hollywood brat, that's for sure.
Dang it! You're right...I stand corrected...but as I recall...then that Rio Bravo was still a Rio Lobo clone...I'm almost sure of it...which would make 3 versions of the same film. I remember they wanted Ricky Nelson because he was the hot new teen singer and Angie Dickinson for sex appeal....
Hey does anybody know what happened to the Duke's old gang of cronies? Edward Faulkner, Bruce Talbot (??), and there was another....?
"That'll be the day"
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