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John Wayne Once Asked a Producer What Makes a Great Western Title, Answer Surprised Him

The name John Wayne became synonymous with westerns. Wayne was a bit player in westerns of the ‘20s before he began headlining them himself. From 1939’s Stagecoach to his final film, The Shootist, many movies featured Wayne in a cowboy hat, on a horse or even wearing a sheriff’s star. Still, Wayne wondered what made a good western movie title.

The answer was revealed in a way on the new 4K UHD release of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. In a collection of bonus features from previous home video releases, the late producer A.C. Lyles speaks about Wayne. Here was his answer to Wayne’s question.

Even in the ‘60s, John Wayne still wondered about westerns 

Lyles began his producing career in 1957 with the movie Short Cut to Hell and the western series Rawhide, which launched Clint Eastwood to his career. Lyles never produced a Wayne movie but they were often working at the same studio, including Paramount when they were filming The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

“When I was doing five or six features a year there, Duke was doing the big ones and we were often together,” Lyles said. “He came one time to my office. We were going to have lunch and I had some scripts in front of me, writing. He said, ‘What are you writing?’ I said titles, titles for my next westerns.”

A.C. Lyles saw added value to clever movie titles

By the ‘60s, Wayne had already made his mark in westerns, and in Hollywood. Still, Wayne always wondered about the factors in success. So he asked his friend, the big time movie producer.

“He says, ‘A.C., what makes the best western title?’” Lyles said. “I said, ‘Duke, any picture with your name above it.’”

John Wayne western movie titles 

Wayne’s movies ran the gamut of titles. Some were as simple as Stagecoach, The Cowboys, or The Alamo. You could pretty much guarantee those movies would be about a stagecoach, some cowboys and the Texas landmark respectively.

Duke Days of May is BACK starting this Sunday! Head to @insp_tv for all the details on this year’s lineup. Also, make sure you head to the link in @insp_tv Instagram bio to find out how you can win a trip to John Wayne: An American Experience 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/n7ZlRYAyYK— John Wayne Official (@JohnDukeWayne) April 29, 2022

Others were named after the title character. Wayne played Hondo Lane in Hondo and John Chisum in Chisum. Some titles were more evocative. True Grit describes the qualities of Wayne’s character, Rooster Cogburn. The sequel was just named after him. The Quiet Man suggested a man trying to resist violence, but in the movie it came for him anyway. The Searchers is about a rescue party, so they are literally searching for someone, but the title also suggests they’re searching for something more philosophical.

A lot of Wayne’s movies were named after their setting. Rio Lobo takes place in the town Rio Lobo. Rio Grande is about a cavalry who ultimately crosses the Rio Grande River. Even The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance isn’t quite literal. Somebody did shoot him, but the legend becomes more important than the facts. But if Lyles was right, all those titles had one thing in common: John Wayne’s name above the title.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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