John Wayne

Why John Wayne and Clint Eastwood Never Starred in a Western Together

Two of the biggest Western movie stars in the history of cinema are undeniably Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. John Wayne brought close to 200 movies and TV shows to life in his time. Meanwhile, Clint Eastwood has over 70 acting credits to his name and is still making movie magic to this day, at almost 92 years old. Sadly, however, the two never hit the big screen together. And there’s a reason for that.

With almost 300 projects between them, you’ve probably already guessed that it wasn’t fate that kept them apart. No; in fact, in the early 1970s, a director named Larry Cohen once asked both actors to star in a movie called The Hostiles. John Wayne, however, said no to the film.

And because The Duke never hesitated to speak his mind, we know exactly why he turned it down. John Wayne not only hated the script of The Hostiles but he also hated the way the director wanted to depict the Old West. Oh, and he wasn’t necessarily a huge fan of Clint Eastwood. Specifically, Clint Eastwood as an actor/director, as far as we know, not as a person.

In true Duke fashion, John Wayne wrote Clint Eastwood a letter telling him so. In the book Ride, Boldly Ride: The Evolution of the American Western, Eastwood recounted the incident.

“John Wayne once wrote me a letter saying he didn’t like High Plains Drifter,” Eastwood said. “He said it wasn’t really about the people who pioneered the West. I realized that there’s two different generations, and he wouldn’t understand what I was doing. High Plains Drifter was meant to be a fable. It wasn’t meant to show the hours of pioneering drudgery. It wasn’t supposed to be anything about settling the West.”

How John Wayne and Clint Eastwood’s Western Styles Differ

The Western genre dates all the way back to 1903, when Edwin S. Porter made the first film of its kind, The Great Train Robbery. It was a silent film with cinematographic narration describing the events rather than dialogue between characters.

In the more than a century that followed, the Western genre grew and changed. Traditions were set and then broken, over and over again until today, and that will probably continue for the rest of time. Because, after all, what is film if not art? Directors and actors make small tweaks to every film they help create to suit their own vision of the final product.

Back in the 70s, John Wayne didn’t appreciate the changes that he saw in the Western genre. To Wayne, the new movies were too dark; he preferred the classic, heroic tales of the 40s and 50s. So when John Wayne received an invitation to work with Clint Eastwood on the new, grittier version of Western, it’s not surprising he turned it down.

It all comes down to personal preference. John Wayne might not have liked his style, but Clint Eastwood went on to become a world-renowned director. Clint Eastwood never responded to the letter in which John Wayne so frankly described his feelings.

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.