John Wayne

The Five Best John Wayne Movies of His Career

The accolades, awards, and legend of John Wayne is something that many people would definitely argue over one way or another in this day and age, but the Duke was a man that a lot of people still look up to as an example of what it was to be a man back in his day. Today you might hear him being called a prime example of ‘toxic masculinity’, but it would likely be laughed off by those that believe his legacy is still intact. That being said, some of his movies were quite well-received and are still held up as classics since whether people like it or not he was a prime example of what being man meant back in his era. It’s fair to say that Wayne might not have approved of or been accepted as he was in this day and age when people are quibbling over every last thing that’s said and done in a movie, but back in his time he was an absolute legend.
Here are some of his best movies to serve as an example.

5. The Searchers

When Ethan returns home from a life spent fighting one battle after another he seemingly wants to settle down, but when he and a band of other men are tricked by a Comanche raiding party they return to find the homestead burning and all but two individuals dead. A search party is sent out to retrieve the abducted young women, but Ethan is out for blood and isn’t about to let anyone stand in his way. When he does find the last remaining woman, his niece no less, he finds that she has bonded with her captors and then threatens to put her down. Eventually however the story ends with Ethan walking off into the distance, much the same way he arrived.

4. The Sons of Katie Elder

In a big way this seems to have been the basis for a movie such as Four Brothers since the four in this movie tend to act in the same way, meaning that it likely had something to do with the more modernized story. When the four brothers, all sons of well-loved Katie Elder, decide to try and do something deserving of their mother after her passing they run afoul of a man that claims to have won their land in a poker game. Upon being framed for murder and set up to be killed the brothers have to fight their way out so that justice can be done and their names can be cleared, and that’s just what they do in spectacular fashion.

3. McLintock!

This feels like such a back and forth affair that one can’t help but laugh at it despite the way that the women are treated would likely be looked upon with horror these days. McLintock isn’t that complicated of a man really, he just wants to see justice done for some and for others to live their lives peacefully and sensibly. Of course that’s not bound to happen when human beings are involved since there’s always some debate to be had, some grudge to settle, and some nonsense to bring up when all seems well and peaceful. The humor in this movie is the type that a lot of people would probably look at with widened eyes at this point.

2. Hondo

Hondo is quite simply a man that was forced into circumstances that were not of his own making. He wandered into a ranch that had been abandoned by the man of the house and fell in love with the woman of the house eventually. When it came to his dealings with the Apaches that had been harassing the woman and with whom he’d had dealings throughout the movie however it became apparent that things were not as neutral or as settled as some might have believed. By the end of the movie Angie and Hondo have professed their love for each other, and Hondo can’t help but lament the way things had to be to get so far.

1. True Grit
A lot of folks might recognize this story thanks to Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin, and Hailee Steinfeld in this day and age, but it was John Wayne that first brought Rooster Cogburn to life, and created a legend that has endured for quite some time now. As a character he wasn’t exactly the best man in the world, but he knew how to get the job done no matter how messy it had to be. Plus for all his faults he was a man that believed in justice, no matter how hard it had to come and how painful it had to be for those that got in the way. In other words, Rooster didn’t really mess around when it came to getting things done.
While opinion of the Duke has waxed and waned throughout the years, he’s still considered a Hollywood legend.

John Wayne

Revisiting John Wayne’s Final, Touching Oscars Speech

John Wayne was an iconic actor that sadly passed away after several bouts of cancer. His last role was very close to home as he played a gunfighter dying of cancer in The Shootist. His final public appearance was at the 1979 Oscars and he shared a touching speech.

He said, “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. That’s just about the only medicine a fellow could ever really need. Believe me when I tell you that I’m mighty pleased that I can amble down here tonight. Well, Oscar and I have something in common. Oscar first came to the Hollywood scene in 1928. So did I. We’re both a little weather-beaten, but we’re still here and plan to be around for a whole lot longer.”

Listen to John Wayne’s final public speech at the 1979 Oscars

Then, John announced the five nominees for the outstanding picture of the year. That year they were The Deer Hunter, Coming Home, Midnight Express, An Unmarried Woman, and Heaven Can Wait. He announced The Deer Hunter was the winner and helped hand out awards.

Unfortunately, a few months later he ultimately died of stomach cancer. He had been bravely going through trials to help scientists work on a vaccine. He was 72 years old at the time of death and was survived by his wife Pilar Pallete and his seven children. The kids now work together on a foundation to help cure cancer.

Watch John’s speech at the Oscars below and relive the moment that happened back in 1979. Then comment and tell us, what was your favorite John Wayne movie?

John Wayne

Why John Wayne Almost Punched Robert Duvall

John Wayne and Robert Duvall reportedly almost got into a physical fight while filming True Grit. John was a very dedicated actor and was often very serious on and off the set. Robert was apparently known for his temper and would clash with the directors on the films he worked on.

While working on True Grit, Robert would argue with the director and disrupt the filming process. Eventually, John had enough and said he would punch Robert if he didn’t stop arguing with the director!

John Wayne almost punched Robert Duvall while working on ‘True Grit’

Even though they had a little spat while working together, Robert spoke very highly of John later in life. He said, “Wayne wasn’t as bad as some supposedly serious actors I’ve seen who trained at the Actors Studio and all that… Wayne was interesting to be around. He was pleasant and outgoing.”

Even though John was an iconic actor, he didn’t have all of the training that many others did. He wanted to be a football player but it didn’t work out. So eventually he worked as a prop boy and was discovered on the set of The Big Trail. His career took off and he became known for western films. Some of his best known films are The Alamo, Stagecoach, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and of course, True Grit. His final film was The Shootist in 1976.

Can you believe that John Wayne almost punched his co-star Robert Duvall? That would have been crazy! What’s your favorite John Wayne film?

John Wayne

‘The Sons of Katie Elder’: John Wayne ‘Exploded in Rage’ When a Photographer Caught Him Using His Oxygen Mask

John Wayne wasn’t always able to keep his anger under control. However, he did often own up to situations where he felt the anger wasn’t justified. A photographer was on the other end of that rage when he took a photograph of Wayne using an oxygen mask on the set of The Sons of Katie Elder.

John Wayne played John Elder in ‘The Sons of Katie Elder’

The Sons of Katie Elder follows four sons who reunite in their old Texas hometown to attend their mother’s funeral, including John (Wayne) and Tom (Dean Martin). However, they learn that things are a lot worse than they could have imagined. Their father gambled away their family ranch, which ultimately resulted in his murder.

The four brothers decide to avenge their father’s death at all costs. They plan to win back their family ranch, but they’re way in over their heads. The situation suddenly escalates with the local sheriff and the violent conflict with the rival Hastings clan. The critics praised Wayne for his performance in The Sons of Katie Elder, as well as the remainder of the cast.

John Wayne ‘exploded in rage’ when a photographer took a picture of him using his oxygen mask on the set

Randy Roberts’ John Wayne: American explores Wayne’s career, including his time on the set of The Sons of Katie Elder. The actor was battling his cancer diagnosis at the time, which is why he initially recommended Kirk Douglas for the role. However, director Henry Hathaway fought to get Wayne in The Sons of Katie Elder.

As a result of his health, Wayne had an oxygen tank on the set in Durango, Mexico. It was 6,000 feet above sea level, making it difficult for the actor to breathe. However, he “exploded in rage” when a photographer named Gene Sysco from The Globe took a picture of him using the oxygen mask.

“You goddamned son of a b****!,” Wayne shouted. “Give me that f***ing film!”

Sysco obeyed and gave the film to the actor. As a result, the entire set fell silent in an uncomfortable exchange.

However, Wayne ultimately realized that he overreacted on the set of The Sons of Katie Elder. The actor approached the photographer in the motel dining room to apologize.

“I’m a grown man,” Wayne said. “I ought to be able to control myself better than I did today. I’m sorry.”

The legendary Western star was terrified that making the oxygen mask public would destroy his persona as a tough cowboy.

The actor didn’t allow his health to affect his performance in ‘The Sons of Katie Elder’

John Wayne: American explained that the Western actor’s co-star, George Kennedy, talked about his behavior in The Sons of Katie Elder. He continued using the oxygen tank and even stopped smoking cigarettes, but he still enjoyed having cigars. He only had one lung, although he wasn’t ready to completely give up that pleasure.

Nevertheless, Wayne did some of his own stunts in The Sons of Katie Elder. The actor wanted to prove that he wasn’t going to allow his diagnosis to defeat him. He completed a scene where he had to be dragged down a river. He also almost caught pneumonia, but he was insistent on keeping up his persona at all costs.