John Wayne

Daniel Day-Lewis explains why he doesn’t like John Wayne

Award-winning British actor Daniel Day-Lewis, admired for his immersion in character and transformative roles, once opened up about his experiences with cinema and his opinions on iconic actors of the 20th century. A three-time Oscar winner with notable performances in My Left Foot and There Will Be Blood, the actor recounted his experiences of marathon cinema screenings – particularly his affinity for the films of Clint Eastwood.
“I used to go to all-night screenings of his movies,” the actor said, recalling his years as a young artist engrossed in cinema, eager to learn and absorb from the work of his predecessors. Eastwood, who has since become a highly regarded director in his own right, with a film currently in production, was particularly famed in the 1960s for his performances in the spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone and the action flicks of Don Siegel.
Speaking to the New York Times back in 2007, Day-Lewis remembered how he would “Stagger out at 5 in the morning, trying to be loose-limbed and mean and taciturn”. Day-Lewis also admitted his admiration for the Naked Edge actor Gary Cooper, who worked prolifically throughout all the eras of cinema right up until his death in 1961. However, it was his turn in the classic Fred Zinnemann from 1952 that particularly resonated with the actor. “High Noon means a lot to me – I love the purity and the honesty,” Day-Lewis said.
On the solitary endurance of Cooper’s character, Marshall Will Kane, Day-Lewis continued: “I love Gary Cooper in that film, the idea of the last man standing”. His love for Cooper’s performance in the film, universally revered as a masterclass of acting, reveals an appreciation for nuanced and heartfelt portrayals that align with Day-Lewis’ acting style. High Noon made a significant impact at the time by refusing to pander to the standard formula of gruff, macho heroes, which leads us to the actor’s thoughts regarding the ‘All American’ hero, John Wayne.
Despite being regarded as a symbol of traditional Hollywood, Day-Lewis shared a somewhat different opinion on the True Grit actor. He stated: “I do not like John Wayne: I find it hard to watch him”. Wayne, who starred in over 165 films spanning 56 years and even made an unusual cameo in Star Wars, was famed for his distinct grumbling voice, stoic demeanour and purposeful, methodical gait.
Whilst Wayne’s 1956 film The Searchers is still considered one of the most remarkable pieces of cinema of all time, with films continuing to reference it to this day, the mythos surrounding the actor is slowly being eroded. We’ll never know whether it’s down to Wayne’s performance or his obscene remarks that illuminated just what a nasty character the man was, because all Day-Lewis had to confirm was, “I just never took to him”.
Watch the trailer High Noon below, featuring the actor Day-Lewis certainly did take to.

HIGH NOON (4K Restoration) New & Exclusive Trailer

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.