Entertainment
‘Didn’t admire him!’ – My Blog
Nicknamed The Duke, John Wayne remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring figures, appearing in more than 170 films and TV shows during a long career, which started in the silent era of cinema in the Twenties. For more than three decades, Wayne ranked among the top box-office draws for cinemagoers, and as a result of often regarded as Tinsel Town’s biggest star. His legacy was secured in 1999 when the American Film Institute selected him as one of the greatest male stars of classic US cinema. The pinnacle of his career came in 1969’s True Grit, when after years of trying, Wayne, who passed away at the age of 72 in 1979, finally clinched the Academy Award for Best Actor he desperately craved.
Though critics and fans continue to lavish praise on an incredible film career, it appears that Wayne himself struggled to maintain some relationships with those he worked with. This included with director Mark Rydell, who was Oscar-nominated for the 1981 film On Golden Pond.
The two paired up in 1972’s The Cowboys, with Wayne at the time wishing to star in more up-scale westerns, as opposed to the lower budget flicks he had spent the majority of career appearing in.The story follows an aging rancher who hires some young teens to help drive his cattle over a 400-mile trail, from Montana to South Dakota. Slash Film, in a report this year, described The Cowboys as the “perfect companion” to True Grit.Wayne, who that year would cause mayhem at the Academy Awards event with his row with Sacheen Littlefeather over Native American rights, was on a quest to find the perfect script.
John Wayne’s furious clash left director demanding he be axed: ‘Didn’t admire him’ (Image: GETTY)
John Wayne in The Cowboys (Image: GETTY)
Among those against Wayne appearing in The Cowboys was its author William Dale Jennings, who as an openly gay man and felt his values were so different to the western star that he did not want him anywhere near production. Rydell was equally against Wayne’s inclusion.During the adaptation process of Jennings’ book into script, screenwriters Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank Jr also did not want Wayne, instead writing the lead character of Wil Andersen for George C. Scott, who won the Best Actor Oscar a year after Wayne’s for Patton.According to John Wayne: The Life and Legend in 2014, author Scott Eyman noted how Rydell’s agreement with the writers saw him dig his heels in, until Wayne himself got involved, and persuaded the director to give him a chance.Rydell said: “I did not want John Wayne for The Cowboys. But Warners (the film’s studio) was heavily invested in John Wayne, with whom I was at polar opposites politically and emotionally and every possible way.JUST IN: The Duke John Wayne suffered from ill health
The film was released in 1972 (Image: GETTY)
“I did not admire him. But he seduced me mercilessly. ‘I promise you I will do the best job I possibly can,’ he said. ‘Let’s not talk about anything but acting. Not politics or religion, just acting.’ He completely won me over and I agreed he should play the part.”On this occasion, Wayne managed to change the perception of himself to others, but when it came to The Duke harbouring his own opinions he was less than forgiving. Among those Wayne reportedly despised was Gone with the Wind star Clark Gable, and double-Academy Award winner Gene Hackman.Aissa Wayne, one of the Hollywood legend’s children, described his ill-feeling towards the stars in her 1991 book John Wayne: My Father. She recalled how his anger towards Gable, for example, came as a result of a falling out between him and director John Ford, a close friend of The Duke’s.She wrote: “My dad called Gable handsome but dumb at least four or five times, and now I wonder if it had something to do with my father’s friend, John Ford. During the filming of Mogambo, Ford and Gable had clashed again and again and the subsequent feud had simmered for years.DON’T MISS:‘Furious’ John Wayne restrained by six men at Marlon Brando Oscar win [ANALYSIS]John Wayne’s desperate move ‘not to disappoint fans’ [LATEST]John Wayne’s 1937 film co-star betrayed by Humphrey Bogart dies at 104 [INSIGHT]
Gene Hackman, the double-Academy Award winner (Image: GETTY)
“In my father’s way of thinking, disloyalty to allies, support in any fashion for their enemies, was expressly forbidden. If Clark Gable took on John Ford, my father’s code demanded that John Wayne stand by his old pal.”
Hackman was also targeted by Wayne, who he described as the worst actor in cinema. Aissa continued: “When it came to his contemporaries in film, I only heard him speak once with any real venom.“Gene Hackman could never appear on-screen without my father skewering his performance.“I wish I could tell you why he so harshly criticised Hackman, but he never went into detail. Although it’s pure speculation, had my father lived to see more of his work, I think his view of Mr Hackman would have changed. Back then, however, my father called Hackman ‘the worst actor in town. He’s awful’.”
Entertainment
Mel Gibson slammed for sharing ‘insane’ conspiracy theory about LA fires after his mansion burns down
Mel Gibson has been met with backlash from social media users after discussing a conspiracy theory on live TV regarding the Los Angeles wildfires.
The 69-year-old actor revealed over the weekend that he had lost his Malibu home in the blaze after it succumbed to the flames while he was a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
Speaking on Elizabeth Vargas Reports on NewsNation, Gibson revealed he was in Austin, Texas, when he found out that his multi-million dollar mansion was “completely toasted” ,describing the loss as both “devastating” and “emotional”.
“I’ve never seen such a complete burn,” Gibson said. “It is obviously devastating, it’s emotional. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I lived there for about 14, 15 years, so it was home to me.”
Now, Gibson has appeared on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle to speak about a conspiracy theory that even he admitted was “insane”.
He told the host: “I know they were messing with the water, letting reserves go for one reason or another. They’ve been doing that a while. California has a lot of problems that sort of baffle the mind as far as why they do things.”
Gibson then asked the questions, “Is it on purpose?” and “Do they want the state empty?”
The actor then admitted he was guilty of concocting “horrible theories” about the fires in his mind, adding: “I can make all kinds of horrible theories up in my head, conspiracy theories and everything else, but it just seemed a little convenient that there was no water.”
“And that the wind conditions were right and that there are people ready and willing and able to start fires,” Gibson continued. “And are they commissioned to do so or acting on their own volition? I don’t know. But they seem pretty well equipped these people that they are catching.”
During their discussion, Ingraham said: “Well, now there’s already talk. And we played a couple of soundbites. Of re-imagining the way rebuilding occurs.
“And obviously there’s a great need for high-density housing in California and across the country. That’s a big push by the climate folks. And you’re already hearing rumblings of that. In this case, like goodbye single-family homes. Hello high-density housing!”
In response to the segment, viewers took to X to bash the actor’s baseless claims.
“Conspiracy theories are his last claims to fame,” one person wrote, with another adding: “The has been is now an expert on water reserves.”
A third tweeted: “I will never watch another movie with him in it.”
“Mel needs a rest,” one viewer responded, with another simply writing: “Shameful.”
The fires remain one of the most destructive and costly disasters in US history.
At least 16 people have lost their lives — 11 in the Eaton Fire and five in the Palisades Fire. Thirteen others remain missing, as of this writing.
As firefighters continue to contain the blazes, officials have issued critical health and safety warnings to the public:
Water Safety: Residents in and around Pacific Palisades have been advised not to drink tap water due to potential contamination from the fires. Bottled water is being distributed at Westwood Recreation Centre and Brentwood Country Club.
Air Quality: The LA County Public Health Department has urged residents to avoid using power blowers like leaf blowers to limit exposure to ash, smoke, and particulate matter worsened by the fires and windstorm conditions.
Ocean Waters: Authorities have also warned against swimming, surfing, or playing in ocean waters between Surfrider Beach and Dockweiler State Beach, covering a 20-mile stretch. “People entering these waters could become ill,” the department stated.
Meanwhile, early estimates suggest that recovery efforts in the Los Angeles area could cost upwards of $150 billion, per AccuWeather.
Our thoughts continue to go out to everybody impacted by this unfolding tragedy.
Entertainment
How people view beauty in American and the world at large
Entertainment
She hasn’t cut her hairs for 20years, even though her husband begged her to. Then, one day, she finally gave up and cut her hair! Better sit down before you see what this woman looks like today
-
Entertainment1 year agoJohn Wayne’s son speaks on military service, Hollywood life and his dad, ‘The Duke’ – My Blog
-
Entertainment1 year ago40 Legendary John Wayne Quotes – My Blog
-
Entertainment1 year agoNew biography reveals the real John Wayne – My Blog
-
Entertainment1 year agoWhy one POPULAR ACTOR was FIRED from THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER and lost his career as a result! – Old western – My Blog
-
Entertainment1 year agoRio Lobo (1970) marked the last collaboration between John Wayne and Howard Hawks. – My Blog
-
Entertainment1 year agoHow Maureen O’Hara Broke Her Hand During Iconic Scene With John Wayne – My Blog
-
Entertainment1 year agoJohn Wayne and the ‘Bonanza’ Cast Appeared in This Epic Coors Light Commercial – My Blog
-
Entertainment1 year agoDid John Wayne really have a good time filming 1972’s The Cowboys? – My Blog