John Wayne

John Wayne Joked He’d Punch Anybody Not Singing at the 1973 Oscars

Actor John Wayne made a lot of impressions at the 1973 Oscars. His aggressive behavior that night recently attracted media attention, but he was also known for his ability to get audiences clapping and laughing. Wayne concluded the 1973 Oscars with a classic joke that fits right into the actor’s sense of humor that his fans know and love.

John Wayne nearly stormed the stage to assault Sacheen Littlefeather at the 1973 Oscars

Wayne almost stormed the stage at the 1973 Oscars when Marlon Brando’s performance in The Godfather won best actor. However, it was a result of the Oscar-winning actor rejecting the award and having Native American actor Sacheen Littlefeather take the stage in his place. She spoke about the activism around Wounded Knee and the film industry’s poor treatment of their Native American peers and the community’s depiction in the media.

Half of the crowd booed and the other half listened to what Littlefeather had to say. However, Wayne wasn’t happy. He nearly took the stage himself to drag the actor off the stage. Security wouldn’t allow him entry onto the stage at that point of the evening.

John Wayne joked he’d punch anybody not singing at the 1973 Oscars after inviting the evening’s winners to the stage

Wayne took the stage at the end of the 1973 Oscars broadcast to conclude the show. The video shows the legendary Western actor coming from a door on the stage and walking down a series of steps. He approached the microphone and waited for the audience’s applause to fade.

“I know the show is just about over, but I wanted to come out here and be a part of this wonderful night,” Wayne said. “Be with so many of my friends and so many talented people who make our industry a great industry. Now, I hate to break a precedent, but I think we ought to get all the winners and presenters out here to take a much-deserved bow. What do you say?”

Wayne was instantly met with loud applause. Next, all of the evening’s winners and presenters entered the stage. Once the applause died down, the actor continued.

“Now, I know all of you out there, and you people on TV all over the world,” Wayne said. “You, the movie audience, who make us possible, join in singing ‘You Outta Be in Pictures’ (Winks). And I’m going to be watching, so you better sing or (throws punch) pow.”

Wayne ended with a soft smile, as the crowd started to sing the requested song.

The actor wouldn’t earn another Oscar nomination after ‘True Grit’

Wayne regularly made appearances at the prestigious award show and not only at the 1973 Oscars. He earned two nominations and one win over the course of his career. He was first nominated at the 1950 Oscars for his leading performance in Sands of Iwo Jima. He made another appearance as a nominee at the 1961 Oscars for his film, The Alamo.

However, Wayne’s only Academy Award win came for True Grit at the 1970 ceremony. Nevertheless, he still enjoyed making an appearance at the award show to visit with friends and to say a few words to the moviegoers watching the ceremony from home.

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.