John Wayne

How John Ford’s Fort Apache Saved John Wayne’s Flagging Film Career

John Wayne might’ve been full of macho swagger on the big screen, but off-screen he was given to fretting. A large portion of the blame for this could be placed at John Ford’s doorstep. The A-list Hollywood filmmaker was nearly instrumental in making Wayne a full-fledged movie star, but he’d made the actor earn it over the course of a decade in bit parts and supporting roles.
When Wayne finally broke through in Ford’s classic Western, “Stagecoach,” he was 32 years old and determined to make up for lost time. It was at this precise moment that his mentor joined the United States Office of Strategic Services to assist in morale building during World War II. Wayne notably sat out the war, which, in the absence of friendly rivals like James Stewart and Henry Fonda (who also enlisted), allowed him to become one of the biggest movie stars in America. But the films he top-lined between 1941 and 1945 weren’t anywhere near as distinguished as “Stagecoach.” It wasn’t until Ford returned from the war that he appeared in a first-rate picture (“They Were Expendable”), but he did so as second fiddle to star Robert Montgomery.
Perhaps more worrying to Wayne was Ford’s decision to cast Fonda as the star of his first post-WWII Western, “My Darling Clementine.” Fonda’s portrayal of Wyatt Earp would become viewed as the definitive take on the lawman. Wayne, meanwhile, wondered if he should form a production company and get busy developing his own projects.
Then 1948 happened.
At last, the Duke measures up to Henry Fonda
RKOHas any actor had a better year than Wayne did in ’48? It’s hard to think of anyone stringing together three classics like “Red River,” “Fort Apache” and “3 Godfathers” over a 12-month span. The effect on the Duke’s career was tremendous. On a strictly commercial level, all three movies were hits, which cemented Wayne’s status as a box-office draw. But most importantly, the Ford-directed duo of “Fort Apache” and “3 Godfathers” allayed his fear that his filmmaking benefactor had lost faith in his ability to lead a picture.
“Fort Apache” was especially vindicating for Wayne. The first installment in Ford’s Cavalry Trilogy asked him to share the screen with Fonda as a co-lead, and the Duke more than held his own. As David Welky and Randy Roberts explain in their “John Wayne: Treasures” biography:
“‘Fort Apache’ came at a perfect time for Wayne’s career. Although critics failed to discern the significance of the film, they recognized its mass appeal. It was a solid box office success, a powerful movie, and a clear demonstration that John Wayne did not have to win the heart of a leading lady to stand out in a film. Although Ford still did not consider him in the same class as Fonda, Duke was narrowing the gap.”
Wayne was back in the saddle and riding tall. The following year, he would receive his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in “The Sands of Iwo Jima” and give one of his finest performances in Ford’s “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.” He’d find more reasons to worry, but he remained a star until the end of his career.

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.