John Wayne

This John Wayne Classic Was the Only Sequel Duke Ever Made

He has over 180 film and TV roles credited under his name, but there was only one film that American western movie icon John Wayne would return to for a sequel.

Out of all the films he’s known for, John Wayne returned to play his “True Grit” character, the less charismatic Marshal Rooster Cogburn, in the character-titled sequel. According to IMDb, the sequel follows Cogburn as he unwilling teams up with Eula Goodnight (Katharine Hepburn) to track down her father’s murderers. However, Upon returning for the sequel, Wayne’s character was stripped of his badge because of drunkenness and questionable use of his firearms. So it was a film mainly about redeeming his character.

The sequel made its debut six years after “True Grit” and it grossed more than $17 million at the box office, per Way Back Machine. It was also considered the 25th highest-grossing film of 1975. Along with Hepburn, others starring in the sequel were Anthony Zerbe, Richard Jordan, John McIntire, Paul Koslo, and Jack Colvin.

John Wayne Called His ‘True Grit’ Role His First Decent Role in 20 Years

During a 1969 interview with Roger Ebert, John Wayne spoke about his performance as Rooster Cogburn in “True Grit.”

“It’s sure as hell my first decent role in 20 years,” John Wayne declared. “And my first chance to play a character role instead of John Wayne. Ordinarily, they just stand me there and run everybody up against me.”

Also speaking about western films, John Wayne declared the westerns he has done were an American art form. “It represents what this country is about. In ‘True Grit,’ for example, that scene where Rooster shoots the rate. That was a kind of reference to today’s problems. Oh, not that ‘True Grit’ has a message of anything. But that scene was about less accommodation and more justice.”

John Wayne also pointed out that he loved the “True Grit” novel as well. “I loved that book. Charles Portis got a real Mark Twain feeling, the cynicism and the humor. I tried to buy the book myself. I went up to $300,000, and that’s pretty good going for an unpublished galley of a Western story. But Hat Wallis knew about this other book by Portis, ‘Norwood,’ and he made an offer for both and outbid me. Then he came back to me to play Rooster.”

John Wayne goes on to declare that he liked so many things about the film as well. “The dialogue, for one. It’s the authentic stuff. The way people talked. The last time I had dialogue of that style was in ‘She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,’ when John Ford had the integrity to use dialogue that fit the period. Mostly, nobody gives a damn.”

Wayne had won his first and only Oscar for playing the Marshal in “True Grit.”

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.