John Wayne

John Wayne Once Explained Why He Actually Considered Himself a ‘Liberal’

John Wayne typically didn’t get along with his liberal movie co-stars due to their political differences. The world surprised him when they deemed him a far-right conservative because he never saw himself in that light. Wayne once explained why he actually considered himself to be a liberal until the world told him that he wasn’t.

John Wayne believed he was the only man in movies to give Native Americans ‘their human dignity’

Actor John Wayne, who believed himself to be a liberal, wearing a suit and drinking from a tea cup John Wayne | Hulton-Deutsch/Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty Images

Tony Macklin recorded an interview with Wayne, where he talked about the liberal side of politics. The actor explained how he always gave respect and human dignity to everyone he worked with. However, Wayne specifically mentioned Native Americans in his discussion, which grew was quite controversial.

“That’s a funny thing, the Indians now,” Wayne said. “This group started something against me for some reason, but I am the only man in pictures that always give them their human dignity. I never was in a picture, I never allowed myself at any time to do anything that would take their human dignity away from them. That, to me, is the most important thing in amends.”

John Wayne explained why he always thought of himself as a ‘liberal’

“I think in the semantics of today that I would be considered conservative. I’m liberal to the point where I listen to other people’s point of view, try and get the facts and then make up my own mind. I think that’s a liberal point of view. I find that a lot of the people pic.twitter.com/hJboka93Eu— John Wayne Official (@JohnDukeWayne) August 1, 2020

Wayne told Macklin that he always thought of himself as a liberal. However, he didn’t see eye-to-eye with specific groups that identify with the term. As a result, he felt that they tried to destroy his movie career and his popularity with audiences around the country.

“I have found that a certain type that calls himself a liberal, I always thought I was a liberal,” Wayne said with a laugh. “I came up terribly surprised one time when I found out I was a right-wing conservative extremist, but I have listened to everybody’s point of view that I ever met and then decide how I should feel.”

Wayne continued: “But this so-called new liberal group, they never listen to your point of view and they make a decision as to what you think. They’re articulate enough and in control enough of the press to force that. Any job for the average person, for some reason, maybe it’s these pictures, they have not been able to do that with me in, in spite of what they say. It hasn’t affected my career in popularity, let’s say. In spite of the fact they try to make it die.”

Some conservative Wayne fans explained that they feel his words still reflect liberal ideals today. However, others said that he’s incorrect about his assessment.

The actor thought laws were trying to change human nature

Wayne believed that laws tried to change human nature, although he didn’t specify this for only liberal folks. He explained that no law will change the way that humans ultimately behave in society. Additionally, he disagreed with other political ideologies.

“There isn’t a hell of a lot we can do to change human behavior,” Wayne said. “We keep making laws to try and change human behavior. I think you can accept it and feel how you would. You’re being conned into Keynesianism and socialism now, but it isn’t gonna stop the selfishness of human behavior. It isn’t going to stop the greed.”

The actor further talked about human nature, charities, and how professionalism fits into the puzzle.

“I think when you make people conscious as communication gets better and you make people conscious of someone in trouble, starving or something like that, another person will help,” Wayne said. “But, of course, now there are so many charities and there’s so much professionalism, if you have a charity, you hire some professionals to look up the charity and by the time you get the money, you get $5 for the recipient and $400 for the administrators.”

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.