Entertainment

‘Old Hollywood’ Gladly Came To John Wayne’s Aid On The Set Of The Shootist – My Blog

When producer Mike Frankovich set out to make “The Shootist,” he did not initially pursue John Wayne for the role of J.B. Brooks, a lawman-turned-gunfighter who discovers he is dying from cancer. Given the elegiac tone of Glendon Swarthout’s novel, and Wayne’s real-life battle with cancer, you’d think he would’ve been at the top of Frankovich’s list. Alas, Wayne’s health was in steep decline; he’d struggled through the shoot of 1975’s “Rooster Cogburn,” and was likely not up to the task of one last leading-man part. But when top Hollywood stars like Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson, George C. Scott, and Gene Hackman passed on the project, the universe seemed to be telling the producer there was only one man for this particular job. Frankovich finally caved and offered the part to Wayne, who not only accepted but proved to be a boon to the film’s casting prospects. “Old Hollywood came to the rescue,” said Frankovich’s producing partner William Self. Within a short span of time, director Don Siegel found himself blessed with a cast that included legends like James Stewart, Lauren Bacall, Richard Boone, Scatman Crothers and Hugh O’Brian. They were all there to pay their respects to The Duke in the flesh before he rode off into the sunset, and some of them took pay cuts for the experience. As O’Brian said in Scott Eyman’s “John Wayne: The Life and Legend,” “We all felt it might be his last film.”The company of friends was a great comfort to The DukeParamountFor Wayne, having friends and esteemed entertainment colleagues hanging around lightened the mood on the set. At the end of the shooting day, the old timers would reminisce about dear departed friends like Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy, and John Ford. But it wasn’t all fun and games. Far from it. Wayne was in poor health, and freely complained about it (“I don’t mind being old, I just mind not being able to move.”) According to Bacall:“‘Wayne wasn’t particularly reflective, at least not with me. He loved to enjoy life, but he wasn’t feeling well. One day he said to me, ‘God, I can’t drink, I can’t smoke, life’s no fun anymore.’ But he was still feisty, ornery in a way. A very sweet man, actually. We got along very well.”The most poignant moment of the shoot came when Wayne was reunited with his “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” co-star Stewart. Stewart, who’d segued from features to television in the early 1970s, was, according to Eyman’s book, thrilled to be making a big-screen Western again with his movie-star pal. Though Stewart’s hearing loss occasionally caused him to miss cues on occasion, the scene ultimately came together in a fashion that pleased all parties.An elegant swan song for an ornery cussParamount“The Shootist” was released on August 20, 1976 to laudatory reviews, and performed reasonably well at the box office. It’s a quiet film that builds to a violent climax, one orchestrated by Books, who prefers to die on his own bullet-whizzing terms. The film is too modest in its ambitions to rate as a masterpiece, but it’s a fine send-off to Wayne’s career.And while Wayne was very much in pain throughout the filming, he greatly appreciated the companionship of his peers. As Bacall remembered, “Every now and then we would just be standing next to one another and he’d kind of just hold my hand. One of the crew mentioned that it was a beautiful day, and he said, ‘Every day you wake up is a beautiful day.’”

Entertainment

Woman Who Claimed To ‘Marry Her Stepdad’ Clears The Air On Their Relationship

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Woman Who Claimed to Marry Her Stepfather Clears the Air on Their Relationship

The internet thrives on shocking stories, but one recent claim left social media users in disbelief. A woman allegedly married her stepfather, sparking outrage, curiosity, and a flood of reactions online. Now, she’s speaking out to set the record straight and clarify the truth behind her controversial statement.

The story first gained traction when a video went viral, showing the woman with her stepfather, leading to accusations of an inappropriate relationship. The online frenzy was fueled by speculation, memes, and heated debates about family boundaries. For weeks, critics and supporters alike dissected the story, with some condemning the alleged union and others calling it a matter of personal freedom.

In a recent interview, the woman addressed the situation head-on, debunking the rumors that she married her stepdad. She explained that her initial claim was misunderstood, blown out of proportion, and taken out of context. According to her, the relationship has been misrepresented, and while they do share a close bond, it is far from what people assumed.

“It’s crazy how quickly the internet twists things. People love drama, but this isn’t what they think it is,” she said. She revealed that her stepfather has been a supportive figure in her life, and their connection is built on mutual respect and care—not romance.

Despite her clarification, the backlash hasn’t entirely subsided. Critics question why she made the claim in the first place, while some accuse her of seeking attention. Others, however, have come to her defense, emphasizing the importance of verifying facts before jumping to conclusions.

Psychologists have weighed in on the situation, highlighting how social media amplifies controversies without context. “In today’s digital age, a misunderstood statement can snowball into a viral sensation within hours,” said one expert.

The woman admits that she didn’t anticipate the uproar her comments would create but hopes that her explanation will put the matter to rest. “I want people to stop judging without knowing the full story,” she added.

The saga serves as a reminder of how quickly stories can spiral out of control online. It also raises questions about privacy and the consequences of sharing personal details in the public eye.

As the dust begins to settle, one thing is clear: the internet never forgets. Whether this will be a lesson learned or just another fleeting viral moment remains to be seen.

What’s your take on this bizarre story? Was it just a misunderstanding, or is there more to it? Share your thoughts below!

Entertainment

Michael Bublé breaks down in tears over son Noah’s health issues

Michael Bublé Breaks Down in Tears Over Son Noah’s Health Issues

Michael Bublé, the beloved Canadian crooner known for his smooth voice and charming stage presence, recently opened up about one of the most challenging chapters of his life. In an emotional interview, Bublé shared his heartache over his son Noah’s battle with liver cancer, a health struggle that shook his family to its core.

Bublé, who is known for keeping his personal life relatively private, revealed the toll that Noah’s illness took on him, his wife, Luisana Lopilato, and their entire family. Noah, now 10, was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer, in 2016 when he was just three years old. The news was devastating, forcing the singer to put his flourishing career on hold to focus entirely on his son’s treatment and recovery.

In the candid conversation, Bublé broke down in tears while recounting the moment he first learned of Noah’s diagnosis. “I felt like my world had ended,” he admitted. “As a parent, you think you can protect your kids from anything, but something like this… it changes everything.”

The Grammy-winning artist described the sleepless nights and the rollercoaster of emotions that accompanied Noah’s treatment, which included surgery and chemotherapy. Bublé and Lopilato stayed by their son’s side every step of the way, drawing strength from their love for their family and their faith.

Bublé credits his son’s resilience and the support of loved ones for helping them endure the ordeal. He also expressed gratitude for the medical team that treated Noah, calling them “angels” for their dedication and care.

Thankfully, after months of treatment, Noah went into remission, a moment Bublé described as “the greatest miracle of my life.” While the experience left emotional scars, it also deepened Bublé’s appreciation for life and the things that truly matter.

The ordeal profoundly impacted the way Bublé approaches his music and career. He admitted that he once prioritized professional success but now places his family above all else. “Fame and fortune mean nothing compared to the health and happiness of my children,” he said.

Today, Noah is a thriving and happy young boy, and Bublé continues to use his platform to raise awareness about pediatric cancer. He hopes his story will inspire other families facing similar struggles to stay hopeful and strong.

Michael Bublé’s vulnerability in sharing his family’s journey has endeared him even more to his fans, reminding the world that behind the music is a devoted father who would do anything for his children.