John Wayne

Steve McQueen Wouldn’t Let The Studio Take His ‘Soul’ While Shooting Bullitt

Steve McQueen didn’t become the epitome of Hollywood cool by playing it safe. Having survived a rough childhood, during which he was beaten repeatedly by his stepfather, McQueen discovered the twin passions of acting and motor racing. The former brought him celebrity, while the latter gave him an air of recklessness. He raced cars and motorcycles all over the world, and won his share of trophies. And as is part of the deal when you slam the pedal to the medal, he endured his share of crashes.
When McQueen hit the big time as a movie star, his need for speed became a headache for studios and movie producers. When he wasn’t on set, he was liable to get behind the wheel of a Porsche 908 or hop on a BSA Hornet, and roar off into the horizon. This was his right as a free man, but he didn’t make movies for free; indeed, he was, at one point, the highest paid actor in the industry. If he went down, he was going to take an entire production with him, or at least cause delays that would cause the budget to balloon.
Warner Bros. was well aware of McQueen’s off-set activities when Peter Yates cast him as the title detective in “Bullitt,” and they had no intention of losing their leading man to a crash.
If you don’t let McQueen race, you don’t get McQueenWarner BrosAccording to the AFI Catalog, McQueen was already placing himself in harm’s way by doing his own stunts. During two weeks of shooting at the San Francisco International Airport, the star had to run under a taxiing Pan-Am 707 jet, which emitted exhaust temperatures of up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. “The vibration tweaked my neck a little,” said McQueen. “You’ve got to open your mouth and hold your ears.”
McQueen also did much of his own driving during the shoot. One scene required him to speed across the Golden Gate Bridge at 100 miles-per-hour. This was unnerving enough for the studio, so they hit their star with an insurance form that forbade him from racing cars or motorcycles throughout principal photography. McQueen told them precisely what they could do with that form. “There are some things that aren’t for sale,” he said. “And one of ’em is my soul.”
McQueen might’ve given WB a load of agita during the shoot, but the risk paid off big time. “Bullitt” grossed $42 million at the U.S. box office, making it the fourth highest grossing movie of 1968 (ahead of such classics as “Rosemary’s Baby” and “Planet of the Apes”). McQueen was now the most in-demand actor alive, and no studio was about to run him off a project by prohibiting the pursuit of his other passion.
Read More: https://www.slashfilm.com/1216958/steve-mcqueen-wouldnt-let-the-studio-take-his-soul-while-shooting-bullitt/

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.