John Wayne

John Wayne Rode His Own Horse Named Dollar in 7 Movies

Western movie star John Wayne frequently rode a horse to complete his cowboy image. However, he grew an affinity for one animal in particular. Wayne went out of his way to ensure that he could ride the same horse named Dollar across seven of his movies.

‘True Grit’ (1969)

L-R: John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn and Glen Campbell as La Boeuf | Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

The first time that Wayne worked with Dollar the horse on the silver screen was in 1969’s True Grit, directed by Henry Hathaway.

A 14-year-old named Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) seeks out U.S. Marshal “Rooster” Cogburn (Wayne), a man of “true grit.” He’ll need every ounce of it on a mission to track down a hired hand named Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey) after he killed Mattie’s father.

Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Glen Campbell) joins them on the hunt, looking to bring Tom to justice for killing a Texas senator.

Wayne earned his one, and only Oscar win for his performance in True Grit. Rooster rode his horse throughout the movie, but the final showdown scene is perhaps the most memorable.

‘Chisum’ (1970)

'Chisum' John Wayne as John Chisum riding a horse in a western costume John Wayne as John Chisum | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Set in Lincoln County, New Mexico, John Chisum (Wayne) works as a successful cattle baron. His peaceful life is about to be put on the line when the unethical Lawrence Murphy (Forrest Tucker) and his business partner, James Dolan (Edward Faulkner), purchase the majority of the land and businesses nearby.

The horses in Chisum play an important part in the story, especially in a sequence where a couple of Chisum’s men are killed, and the herd is stolen.

‘Big Jake’ (1971)

'Big Jake' Bruce Cabot as Sam Sharpnose, Christopher Mitchum as Michael McCandles, John Wayne as Jacob McCandles, and Patrick Wayne as James McCandles on their horses, holding guns in front of a shack. L-R: Bruce Cabot as Sam Sharpnose, Christopher Mitchum as Michael McCandles, John Wayne as Jacob McCandles, and Patrick Wayne as James McCandles | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The villainous John Fain (Richard Boone) leads a gang of violent men to take over the McCandles Ranch. They target Jacob McCandles’ (Wayne) grandson to kidnap, demanding $1 million in ransom for his safe return. As a result, Big Jake will have to discover a way to rescue the boy.

When it comes to devising a plan, the titular hero of Big Jake wants to do things the old-fashioned way. He refuses to simply lie down and accept his fate. Wayne once again rides his horse, Dollar, to seek justice.

‘The Cowboys’ (1972)

'The Cowboys' John Wayne as Wil Andersen riding his horse in a field followed by a herd of other horses. John Wayne as Wil Andersen | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Wil Andersen (Wayne) is left in a difficult position when his ranch hands decide to chase the gold rush. Now an older rancher, he must find replacement drovers to help him on his 400-mile cattle drive. Wil makes the difficult decision to hire local schoolboys to get the job done.

The Cowboys is all about the horses and the rest of the animals, as they’re the mission that Wil set out to accomplish. The film is infamous for killing off Wayne’s character in a violent climactic scene, but it remains a truly memorable installment in the actor’s career.

‘The Train Robbers’ (1973)

'The Train Robbers' John Wayne as Lane among other travelers on horses above an image of sand dunes with broken stagecoaches John Wayne as Lane | Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

Mrs. Lowe (Ann-Margret) puts out a $50,000 reward for anybody who discovers a hidden reward after the death of her husband. Lane (Wayne) puts together a group of cowboys to head into Mexico with Mrs. Lowe, yearning for the reward money. They soon realize that they have some company from a mysterious single rider with his own agenda.

Wayne finds a trusty sidekick in his horse in The Train Robbers, as he travels into unfamiliar territory.

‘Rooster Cogburn’ (1975)

'Rooster Cogburn' Katharine Hepburn smiling on the back of the horse in a black-and-white picture. Katharine Hepburn | Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

Rooster Cogburn (Wayne) is preceded by his reputation, but now he’s without a badge. He sets his sights on getting it back by hunting down a gang of bandits and their stolen shipment of explosives. Cogburn’s job is only made more difficult by the daughter of one of the gang’s victims, who demands to come along on the journey.

Rooster Cogburn is a sequel to the Oscar-winning True Grit, and it’s the only film that Hepburn and Wayne made together. Nevertheless, the Western movie star still brought Dollar along for the ride.

‘The Shootist’ (1976)

'The Shootist' John Wayne as J.B. Books holding out his pistol, while sitting on horseback. John Wayne as J.B. Books | Hulton Archive/Getty Images

An aging gunfighter named J.B. Books (Wayne) is shocked to discover from the local doctor that he has cancer and doesn’t have very long left to live. He decides to rent a room from a widow (Lauren Bacall) and her son (Ron Howard), hoping to die in peace with dignity. However, people with questionable motives approach him, which ultimately leads him to want to go out with a bang.

The Shootist is the final movie that Wayne made before he died in 1979 from stomach cancer. It perfectly summed up his career in the Western genre, but perhaps it hit a little too close to home for some.

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.