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John Wayne

Elvis Presley has accompanied John Wayne , will the partnership hinder his career ?

Elvis Presley nearly starred alongside another titan of entertainment, John Wayne, as La Boeuf in the 1969 film, True Grit. The star of 31 movies throughout his illustrious career, Elvis Presley was the epitome of an entertainer. His proposed co-star, John Wayne, known as “The Duke” to his fans, starred in an estimated 150 movies throughout his career that spanned over 50 years. Of course, one of those films included True Grit sans Presley.

In his 1994 book, Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley, author Peter Guralnick writes how Presley’s initial interest in acting sparked from watching critically acclaimed actors, such as James Dean and Marlon Brando. Desperate to get the musician on the silver screen, Presley’s long-time manager, Colonel Tom Parker, was able to sign a contract with Paramount Pictures, which also allowed him to make films with other studios.

Presley made his feature debuted in 1956 with Love Me Tender, which also featured an accompanying soundtrack of songs recorded by the film’s star. Although he was preeminent known for romantic musicals, Presley was eager to star in more dramatic roles like his actor idols.

At this point in his career, John Wayne was an iconic Western star, akin to Clint Eastwood. 30 years after Stagecoach, the film that made him a star, Wayne was set to make what would be one of his last commercial successes with True Grit in 1969. Presley, whose career was also involved its twilight years, strived to recapture the public spotlight by attempting to reemerge in more dramatic films such as Midnight Cowboy, A Star is Born, and True Grit. However, Presley’s attendant demands that came with him starring in True Grit cost him the role.

As was the case with many of the films Elvis Presley nearly starred in at the time, producers eventually declined due to the high demands associated with the musician. As his manager did with all of Presley’s films, Parker requested his client get top billing in the picture. With a star already as big as Wayne, producers declined the offer. Following this, the producers turned to another musician with country music star Glen Campbell, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in the film. True Grit eventually earned Wayne his Academy Award, despite his reported displeasure with the final result of the picture.

In defiance of their declining careers, these two goliaths of entertainment could have starred alongside one another in what is now regarded as one of the better John Wayne movies and one of the best westerns overall to grace the silver screen. Although True Grit earned Wayne his only Academy Award, one has to wonder “what if?” Unfortunately, the two actors’ star power was only matched by the embittered egos as these two waning icons of a bygone era quarreled to sustain successful careers in an ever-changing world.

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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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