John Wayne

It Took Star Wars 3 Decades to Find Out Secret John Wayne Cameo in $775M Movie

When George Lucas held a special screening for his friends and acquaintances in the movie business after the completion of a draft of what would ultimately go on to become Star Wars: A New Hope, it was received with a loud clamoring in decibels he had never heard before. But it wasn’t a good thing because the clamoring was congratulatory or ruckus over how epic the production was. They all reckoned it to be the stupidest thing they had ever laid their collective eyes on in their entire tenure in the industry of film and television.
But the room contained one other person, a fellow visionary who sat quietly in the midst and muttered only one thing after coming out of his momentary shock at the 2-hour vision in front of him – that it was the greatest piece of art he had ever seen and one day, this would be regarded as the most celebrated film of all time. It was Steven Spielberg who foreshadowed the success of Star Wars and as always, Steven Spielberg was right.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Also read: George Lucas Never Wanted Yoda as a Part of the Star Wars Lore, Created Him To Fill the Plot Hole Left By Obi-Wan’s Death: “He’s a mystery character”
Star Wars Harbors a Suprise Treasure Among Its Trove
Although garnering $775.8 million at the box office, Star Wars Episode IV was produced against a budget of only $11 million. George Lucas’ first film in a series that would spawn a prequel and sequel trilogies immediately raked in a reputation for being appalling in its scale, vision, and ambition, and would forever go on to change the genre of science fiction in Hollywood. And it was only right that one of the most revolutionary pieces that were conceived in the late 70s would enter into mainstream cinema containing one of the most revolutionary actors from the Golden Age Hollywood who wanted to go out with a bang.
John Wayne
Also read: “I fought hard. I fought to win”: John Wayne Invented New Kind of Dirty Fighting Style Unlike Anything Hollywood Had Ever Seen
John Wayne, notable for his role in Westerns and gritty war films throughout the 50s and 60s (most famously, Stagecoach, El Dorado, and Red River – with each of the films holding a record 100% on Rotten Tomatoes) was perhaps one of the most influential actors who defined the Golden Age of cinema before the arrival of Clint Eastwood. And by the ’70s, he was already reaching the end of his reign. Surprisingly, exactly 30 years after the premiere of Episode IV, it was revealed that the actor may have made a rare cameo in the genre of sci-fi – a far throw from his usual desert landscape, dusty old town arena of Western dramas – in Lucasfilm’s debut premiere.
John Wayne Makes a Rare Appearance in A New Hope
The Western actor of the yesteryears, John Wayne, may have been the most relevant of all heroes standing for the symbol of masculinity and strong man archetype in his prime, but he was already 70 when Star Wars came out in 1977. As revealed in the 2007 Star Wars Celebration by sound designer Ben Burtt, the sound effects for a masked character in the first film were attributed to an accidental interference in a studio recording that sounded like the buzz of an insect – thus making it perfect for the mosquito-like character in A New Hope.
John Wayne in The Searchers (1956) John Wayne in The Searchers (1956)
Also read: John Wayne Humiliated an Entire Superpower After Joseph Stalin Sent KGB Assassins To Kill Him
As it turns out, the recording was that of John Wayne speaking to a fellow cast or crew member on set.
We had that character that looked kind of like a mosquito from the first Star Wars that we found we needed a sound for. I was wondering back a few months ago how I did it – because I keep notes and tapes – and I discovered it was an electronic buzzing that had come off of my synthesizer that was triggered by a human voice.
I listened to it and realized it was John Wayne. I had found some loop lines in the trash from the studio that had been thrown away. So the buzzing was triggered by some dialogue like ‘all right, what are you doin’ in this town?’ or something like that.
This definitively marks the final (although accidental) appearance (in sound) of John Wayne in the film industry as he would pass away at the age of 72 just 2 years after the premiere of Star Wars Episode IV – A New Hope.

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.