Posted on 05/25/2007 6:44:54 PM PDT by ConservativeStatement
If there's one thing I've learned from asking readers to send in stories about John Wayne, it's this: people really loved the guy.
Even if they didn't know him personally, many speak of brief encounters with his gentle ways and humorous personality as if they're talking about somebody they've known for years.
The Duke turns 100 years old Saturday, so we thought we'd celebrate with our very own birthday card.
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
Can’t think of a film he was in that I didn’t care for. I especially like “The Searchers” and “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon”. Happy Birthday, Duke!
You are so right.....
To be honest, I don’t know. I’ll do a quick search, if I find something I’ll pass it along.
Wayne was politically a right-wing conservative. He took part in creating the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals in 1943, and was elected president of that organization in 1947. He was an ardent anti-communist, and vocal supporter of the House Un-American Activities Committee. In 1951, he made Big Jim McLain to show his support for the anti-communist cause. He was also instrumental in having Carl Foreman blacklisted from Hollywood after the release of the anti-McCarthyism western High Noon, and later teamed up with Howard Hawks to make Rio Bravo as a right-wing response. Wayne used his iconic status to support conservative causes, including rallying support for the Vietnam War by producing, co-directing, and starring in the critically panned The Green Berets (1968). In 1978 however, he enraged conservatives by supporting liberal causes such as the Panama Canal Treaty [9] and the innocence of Patty Hearst[10].
Due to his enormous popularity, and his status as the most famous Republican star in Hollywood, wealthy Texas Republican Party backers asked Wayne to run for national office in 1968, as had his friend and fellow actor, Senator George Murphy. He declined, joking that he did not believe the public would seriously consider an actor in the White House. However, he did support his friend Ronald Reagan’s runs for Governor of California in 1966 and 1970. He was also asked to be the running mate for Alabama Governor George Wallace in 1968. Wayne vehemently rejected the offer[11]. Wayne greatly admired Wallace and sent him three checks for $10,000 with a note reading, “Sock it to ‘em George!”[citation needed]. Nonetheless, Wayne actively campaigned for Richard Nixon[12].
Wayne’s strong anti-communist politics led to a particularly unnerving situation. Information from Soviet archives, reported in 2003, indicates that Joseph Stalin ordered Wayne’s assassination, but died before the murder could be accomplished. His successor, Krushchev, reportedly told Wayne during a 1958 visit to the United States that he had personally rescinded the order.[13][14]
I’ve been working through every one of his movies via netflix. I’m probably only 1/4 in.
Pity we can’t put him in the White House.
When John Wayne made this movie, The Green Berets, he saw the people of the United States were losing interest and hope in the Vietnam War. He attempted to give the troops a morale lift and the American people a look at what is really going on with the VC and their way to fight a war. I don’t believed it worked for most but it sure as hell did for me. I was a kid when it came out and I was determined as hell to become a Green Beret. I went through hell during training and actually became a Special Forces qualified Army personnel. It was the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life.
God Bless John Wayne and all he stood for...
Sad thing is, that would never happen today. They'd name it after some "oppressed" illegal alien who died in the desert because the gringos failed to rescue him .
That would probably still happen today, because while it may no longer be the hotbed of Republican conservatism that it was in the 1960's and 1970's, Orange remains a "red" county. However, I hope none of the supervisors in neighboring Los Angeles County read your post--it might give them ideas as to renaming LAX.
OHHH rack itt Monk I remember that song
You know what I remember the song came out I was only kid in my Jr high class that knew who was John Wayne GO FIGURE LOL!
OMG I was watching Cowboys right on TCM they been having back to back Duke movie I saw McClintock in letter box that was so cute
I remember what bank commerical was Well fargo at that time I think so I try find at YOU TUBE I saw at You Tube once
Here commerical Western saving I don’t think they exist anymore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJTPr_N7Se4
I do remember the commerical back in da day
Thanks for your service. I was already out of the Army when he made the movie.
His effort in making that was appreciated by many even though the left antiwar hippie crowd moaned and groaned about it. Thanks to him there was at least one movie that depicted Vietnam in a positive way.
I don’t know if he made any money off it but I don’t think he cared whether he did or not. I’m pretty sure he wanted to make a statement against the commies and the likes of Hanoi Jane.
I've never watched a movie that many times. However, I've seen The Girl Can't Help It (1956) nine times in the theater, and if it comes again to a movie house, I intend to see it yet another time.
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