John Wayne

Every John Wayne Movie With the Word ‘Trail’ in the Title

Actor John Wayne made seven movie projects with the word “trail” in the title. He was more famous for his status as a Hollywood star than as an actor, although that isn’t to say that he didn’t have any critically-acclaimed performances, such as his Oscar-winning work in True Grit. However, it’s clear that Wayne certainly enjoyed bringing his cowboy persona to the Western and adventure genres. His fans knew exactly what they were getting when they paid to see one of his feature films.

‘The Big Trail’ (1930)

John Wayne | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Wayne’s first lead performance in 1930’s The Big Trail was also the first time he starred in a movie with the word “trail” in the title. The story follows Breck Coleman (Wayne), who works as a fur trapper. He takes on the job of taking a group of pioneers along the Oregon Trail. However, it’s not a safe path, as blazing desert temperatures and Native American warriors are along their path. Meanwhile, Breck falls in love with a woman named Ruth Cameron (Marguerite Churchill), all while tracking down those responsible for killing his mentor.

The Big Trail opened to mixed critic reviews and bombed at the box office. As a result, the studio had to declare bankruptcy after pouring so many resources into the epic. Nevertheless, the movie earned a lot more respect from more modern audiences.

‘The Telegraph Trail’ (1933)

The next Wayne trail movie was 1933’s The Telegraph Trail, which was only three years after his feature debut. The plot tells the story of a greedy businessman named Gus Lynch (Albert J. Smith) who is charging locals ridiculous fees for his gain. Gus makes the decision to take advantage of nearby Native Americans to stop the telegraph from being built. However, a young cavalryman named John Trent (Wayne) is set on making things right.

‘Sagebrush Trail’ (1933)

Sagebrush Trail hit theaters in the same year as Wayne’s previous trail movie in 1933. This time, he plays John Brant, a man wrongly imprisoned for murder. He decides to make a great escape to find the real killer to clear his own name. John joins a gang of outlaws led by Bob Jones (Lane Chandler) to get additional help, but it brings him more trouble than he bargained for.

‘The Trail Beyond’ (1934)

The following year, Wayne starred in a 1934 movie titled The Trail Beyond. He plays Rod Drew, who is an All-American new college graduate who agrees to help search for missing people in Canada. He brings his close friend, Wabi (Noah Beery Jr.), along with him to help. They encounter a dangerous French Canadian gang of outlaws who are behind the abductions.

‘The Desert Trail’ (1935)

The Desert Trail is a 1935 movie that sees Wayne starring as John Scott, a rodeo rider working with his buddy, Kansas Charlie (Eddy Chandler). They’re accused of murder while settling a debt with their promoter, and he dies at the hands of two thieves. John and Kansas must assume fake identities, but they don’t have very long to clear their names and bring the guilty to justice.

‘The Oregon Trail’ (1936)

Wayne’s 1936 movie The Oregon Trail finds him playing a retired army captain named John Delmont. He discovers that his father was murdered and becomes increasingly bitter as he searches out his killer. The chase leads him to a group of outlaws, including a renegade who left his father to die.

‘The Lonely Trail’ (1936)

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The Lonely Trail in 1936 was Wayne’s final movie with the word “trail” in the title. Captain John Ashley (Wayne) fought in the Civil War for the North, but he’s brought under the Governor of Texas’ wing afterward. He’s tasked with tracking down and getting rid of a group of carpetbaggers. He seeks out Adjutant General Benedict Holden (Cy Kendall) for help before realizing that he’s also involved in looting from the local folks.

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.