John Wayne

The Most Memorable John Wayne Movies

Few actors compare to John Wayne, both in terms of ability and popularity. Here are The Duke’s most memorable movies.John Wayne or simply “The Duke” is one of the greatest actors of all time, appearing in over 150 movies and starring in over 70 movies during his career. He was brilliant in every single role, whether he was a cowboy, a marshal, a colonel, or any other type of character. Fans of all ages love The Duke for his commanding presence on-screen and good heart off-screen.

1: The Green BeretsJohn Wayne plays a Green Beret colonel in “The Green Berets”Despite its critical failure and protests about its subject matter, The Green Berets was a commercial success when it was released in 1968. Based on a 1965 novel, the movie was also directed by Wayne, who wanted to show the positive side of those who served in South Vietnam at the time.

Wayne plays the colonel of a Green Beret unit who’s sent to Vietnam to support various operations. He’s joined by a cynical newspaper reporter, played by David Jansen. His unit goes on an espionage mission and shores up a front-line camp with help from a character portrayed by George Takei.

2: The Searchers“The Searchers” is considered one of the most classic movies made.John Ford’s The Searchers was not only a commercial success when it premiered in 1956. It also became one of the most influential films of the 20th century. It has been named one of the best Westerns and top movies of all time.

Wayne plays a Civil War veteran who goes on a hunt for his niece, played by Natalie Wood. He’s joined by his adoptive nephew, who is played by Jeffrey Hunter. Along the way, the pair encounters numerous obstacles in their search.

3: Red RiverJohn Wayne and Montgomery Clift in “Red River.”Gunslinging wasn’t the only thing John Wayne did in his Westerns. For the most part, that was a small part. The rest of these films focused on the human condition and how they conquered the harshness of the land at that time.

Red River is an example of this type of film. Directed by Howard Hawkes, it’s loosely based on the first cattle drive from Texas to Kansas along the Chisholm Trail. Most of the tension comes from the relationship between Wayne’s character and his son, played by Montgomery Clift. The movie was preserved by the National Film Registry thanks to its historical significance.

4: StagecoachJohn Wayne was beginning to get his acting chops in the 1930s, working as an extra and starting to star in a few B movies. In 1939, he got his break as Ringo Kid, a young outlaw out for revenge for his father and brother’s death in John Ford’s Stagecoach.

Stagecoach focused on a diverse group of individuals who were all aboard the same stagecoach and are forced to go through several trials and tribulations together, including the birth of a baby. The role set the young actor on a path to success and Wayne soon became a household name.

5: El DoradoThe 1960s were full of great western actors such as John Wayne, Steve McQueen, James Stewart, Clint Eastwood, and Robert Mitchum. Having John Wayne and Robert Mitchum in the same movie proved to be a wise decision, with 1966’s El Dorado became a huge hit among western fans.

John Wayne played Cole Thorton, a gunslinger for hire, who returns to the town of El Dorado as he was hired by wealthy landowner Bart Jason. But when Cole realizes he would have to fight his old friend the drunken sheriff, J.P. Harrah played by Robert Mitchum, he turns down the offer. Cole joins forces with J.P. to protect the town from the bully Bart Jason.

6: The ShootistJohn Wayne had a career that spanned for 4 decades, with his big break coming in 1939 as Ringo Kid in Stagecoach and his last role being J.B. Books in the 1976 film The Shootist. J.B. Books is an old gunslinger who finds out he has cancer, but this old gunfighter isn’t going out without a fight.

The American hero, John Wayne, passed away in 1979, only a few years after filming his final movie. That said, his legacy will never be forgotten. As they say, “when the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”

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.