John Wayne

‘Gunsmoke’ Director Andrew McLaglen Went on to Make Westerns with John Wayne

Gunsmoke Director Andrew McLaglen had his good friend John Wayne to thank for his directorial run in Hollywood.

According to an interview with the Directors Guild of America, McLaglen got his start in the industry as an actor. He followed in the footsteps of his Oscar-winning father, Victor McLaglen. But after only two gigs, he realized he wanted to work on the other side of the camera as a director.

So once he graduated high school, he started working towards his dreams.

Eventually, McLaglen landed a job as the assistant director for the 1952 film Big Jim McLain, which starred John Wayne and James Arness.

At the time, the then 32-year-old already had a movie that he wanted to make. However, he had no way of funding the project. But once John Wayne recognized his talents, he decided to help McLaglen get his idea to theaters.

“Duke knew that I wanted to be a director,” McLaglen said. “And he called me aside one day and he said, ‘Listen Andy McSandy (did you read that in Wayne’s voice, too?), I’ll guarantee the loan. I know it isn’t a big picture. I’ll guarantee the loan and why don’t you go ahead and make an arrangement to make your movie.’”

And with that, Andrew McLaglen made his directorial debut. The project was the 1956 thriller Man in the Vault, which tells the story of a locksmith who gets caught up in a bank robbery.

That same year, he also released his first Western Gun the Man Down, starring James Arness.

Andrew McLaglen Went on to Work with John Wayne Five More Times

After working with McLaglen, Arness was so impressed that he got him a job directing an episode of Gunsmoke. And that job led to 95 more. Thanks to that series, McLaglen found his niche in Hollywood, and he went on to make dozens of Westerns.

Some of his works include The Way West with Kirk Douglas and Bandolero! with James Stewart and Dean Martin. He also reconnected with The Duke to direct McLintock!, The Undefeated, Chisum and Cahill U.S. Marshal. And he directed Wayne in his 1968 action-drama Hellfighters.

‘Gunsmoke’ Helped Make Burt Reynolds A Bonefied Hollywood Legend

Gunsmoke didn’t just help director Andrew McLaglen earn a place in Tinsel Town, it also helped turn Burt Reynolds into a legend.

Though Reynolds had a few jobs before finding a regular spot on the iconic Western, Gunsmoke was definitely his big break. And after a few episodes with the series, he started getting offers to star in major movies.

However, his obligations with the series made it impossible for Reynolds to take on too many side gigs. So while starring next to Will Arness and Amanda Blake got him noticed, it eventually held him back.

So one of his co-stars told him to quit, and he did.

“I enjoyed being on Gunsmoke,” Reynolds shared Cowboys and Indians. “But if it hadn’t been for Milburn Stone, this interview might not even be taking place.”

According to Reynolds, Stone told him that his movies were “taking off — get out of here.”

“I said, ‘Don’t you like me?’ He said—total gentleman that he was—’ I love your work. But it’s time to think about your movie career,” the actor continued. “I knew he was the smartest guy on the set — I always thought that. He was so wonderful. So I quit.”

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.