John Wayne

5 John Wayne Movies That Were the Most Physically Demanding to Make

Actor John Wayne was an expert when it came to understanding the hard work that went into movies. He starred in everything from leading roles in major studio feature films to non-speaking parts in B-movies that he despised making. However, some of the most physically demanding parts turned out to be the most rewarding when the pictures fluttered on the silver screen. Here are five of the most physically demanding movies that Wayne starred in.

‘Stagecoach’ (1939)

'Stagecoach' Claire Trevor as Dallas and John Wayne as Ringo Kid in black-and-white movies. He has his arm around her, looking concerned. L-R: Claire Trevor as Dallas and John Wayne as Ringo Kid | Getty Images

Stagecoach boosted Wayne to stardom overnight in 1939, creating a whole new world for the actor. He played Ringo Kid in a story that follows a group of unlikely stagecoach passengers whose journey becomes increasingly difficult with the threat of a dangerous man named Geronimo on the loose.

Wayne came from the world of the props department and had a great appreciation for the world of stunts. Therefore, he decided to do many of these scenes on Stagecoach, but there were some that went a little bit too far.

Yakima Canutt was the movie star’s stunt double, who director John Ford hired on Wayne’s recommendation. There’s an incredibly dangerous high-speed scene that shows Ringo as he jumps from the coach to the horses that continues to shock, even by modern-day standards.

‘Sands of Iwo Jima’ (1949)

Sands of Iwo Jima earned Wayne his first Oscar nomination, and it’s frequently considered the actor’s greatest war movie of his career. He starred as Sgt. John M. Stryker, a man his men detest. However, they come to appreciate his rigid nature and tough training when they’re thrust into the dangers of combat.

Wayne drank heavily while filming Sands of Iwo Jima, which was the case for most of his movies. However, he had to undergo some difficult physical training to prepare for the role. The actor had to own the physicality of the role, which he accomplished in a way that impressed many audiences, including voters of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

‘The Searchers’ (1956)

The Searchers marked another one of the movies that Wayne made in collaboration with Ford. As Ethan Edwards, he played an American Civil War veteran who returns to find most of his brother’s family massacred. He begins the chase after his niece, who was kidnapped by Comanches.

Ethan goes on a long journey along with his niece’s adopted brother (Jeffrey Hunter), but it didn’t only fictionally put them through a lot. Wayne went through his own share of physically-demanding tasks, such as riding a horse for long hours over the course of filming. They took quite a toll on the movie star.

‘The Alamo’ (1960)

Wayne took on the role of an actor, producer, and director in 1960’s The Alamo. He took on the role of Col. Davy Crockett in a story taking place in 1836. A group of soldiers bands together to fight a hopeless battle against a massive army to protect the new Republic of Texas.

The Alamo was one of Wayne’s most physically-demanding movies for more reasons than one might think. It was his passion project that he took years to get made, as the Hollywood system continued to turn him down. There were several production delays and difficulties. The role itself wasn’t as much the issue, but there was a lot of physical stress that exhausted the actor from taking on so many responsibilities.

‘The Green Berets’ (1968)

In 1968, Wayne played Col. Mike Kirby in one of his most divisive movies called The Green Berets. The story follows Kirby when he brings two teams of Green Berets on a mission to South Vietnam to kidnap a North Vietnamese General.

Similar to other war movies over the course of Wayne’s career, he took on some of the stuntwork, even though he still used a stunt double for some of the more difficult sequences. Additionally, the movie star was a director on the film, causing him to juggle multiple tasks that proved much more physically demanding than he expected.

John Wayne

The Legend Lives On: John Wayne is Still Alive!

In a world where legends never fade, we can’t help but wonder: what if John Wayne, the iconic figure of American cinema, is still with us in spirit? The Duke, known for his larger-than-life roles and undeniable charisma, continues to inspire generations.

From his unforgettable performances in classics like “True Grit” and “The Searchers” to his indomitable spirit, Wayne’s essence is woven into the fabric of Hollywood and American culture. His rugged persona, moral fortitude, and unwavering courage resonate deeply, reminding us of the values he embodied.

While we may not see him on the silver screen today, Wayne’s legacy lives on through the countless actors he inspired and the stories he helped tell. His films are timeless, bringing joy and adventure to audiences around the world.

So, as we celebrate the enduring impact of John Wayne, let’s keep his spirit alive in our hearts. Whether you’re watching one of his classics or sharing a favorite quote, remember that the legend of John Wayne will never truly die. Here’s to the Duke—forever a part of our cinematic history!

John Wayne

Why John Wayne Turned Down the Chance to Work With Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood and John Wayne are the two biggest legends in the history of Western movies, however, they never worked together. The duo did have the opportunity to work together once in the 1970s. Here’s why the film never came to fruition.

How John Wayne responded when Clint Eastwood tried to work with him

Firstly, a little background. According to the book John Wayne: The Life and Legend, it all starts with Larry Cohen. Though Cohen is not a widely known director like Steven Spielberg or Quentin Tarantino, he’s a huge name to fans of B movies. He directed famous B movies like The Stuff, Q: The Winged Serpent, It’s Alive, and God Told Me To. He also wrote a script called The Hostiles shortly after Eastwood released his classic High Plains Drifter.

The Hostiles was about a gambler who wins half of an estate of an older man. The gambler and the older man have to work together despite the fact that they don’t like each other. Eastwood optioned the screenplay with the intent of playing the gambler alongside Wayne as the older man.

Eastwood sent a copy of the script of The Hostiles to Wayne. Although Eastwood felt the script was imperfect, he saw its potential. However, Wayne was not interested. Eastwood pitched the film to Wayne a second time and Wayne responded with a letter. Wayne’s letter complained about High Plains Drifter. Wayne was offended by the film and its portrayal of the Old West as a cruel, violent place.

John Wayne

Ann-Margret Refused to Call John Wayne ‘Duke’ While Introducing 1 of His Movies

Ann-Margret once starred in one of John Wayne’s lesser-known movies. However, she refused to call him by his popular moniker Duke. Here’s a look at the film they made together — and why she declined to call him by a nickname.

The one time Ann-Margret and John Wayne made a movie together

Ann-Margret is probably most known for her work in musicals, specifically Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas, and The Who’s Tommy. However, she also dabbled in the Western genre. She starred alongside Wayne in the mostly forgotten movie The Train Robbers.

Wayne was also known as The Duke or just Duke. According to USA Today, the nickname was derived from his childhood dog. It stuck with him for many years. It continues to be used today — even on the box covers of the DVDs for his movies.

John Wayne | Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

During an interview with Interview Magazine, Ann-Margret explained why she didn’t refer to the Rio Bravo star by this famous name. “When I came to this country, first of all, mother and I didn’t know English,” she said. “I would curtsey, then say, ‘Thank you,’ and then when I was leaving, curtsey. For example, we went to Dallas to introduce a film I did with John Wayne. And I never called him Duke. I just couldn’t. That’s the way I was raised. When you meet someone, you say either Mr. or Mrs. or Miss. You stand up.”

Ann-Margret revealed she treated other famous people in much the same way. For example, she worked with director George Sidney on Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas. She always called him Mr. Sidney.

What Ann-Margret thought about John Wayne

Ann-Margret refused to use Wayne’s most famous moniker. However, she had a positive view of the actor. During an interview with Fox News, she was asked what she expected when she met Wayne. “Oh, I didn’t know what to expect,” she revealed. “But when he hugged me, it’s like the world was hugging me. He was so big and wide with that booming voice.

“We were shooting in Durango, Mexico and my parents came down to visit me,” she added. “He was so great with my parents. So absolutely welcoming and gentle with them. And anybody who was great to my parents was on a throne in my eyes.”

How the world reacted to ‘The Train Robbers’

Wayne starred in many classic Westerns, including The Searchers, Stagecoach, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. However, The Train Robbers is mostly forgotten. It didn’t gain a cult following like Once Upon a Time in the West or Dead Man. It wasn’t a critical success either, garnering a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Ann-Margret had some fond memories of making the film — even if she refused to call Wayne by his famous nickname.