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The Shootist…the role had been first offered to Paul Newman, who reportedly pulled out for personal reasons

Made in 1976, three years before he died, John Wayne’s last picture, The Shootist, in which he plays an aging cowboy dying of cancer, became a most appropriate swan song to his illustrious 50-year screen career.

Wayne was seemingly the natural, but not first, choice for the part. Surprisingly, the role had been first offered to Paul Newman, who reportedly pulled out for personal reasons. The part was then offered to George Scott, who demanded too many changes in the script. Both Newman (“The Sting”) and Scott (“Patton”) were very popular in the 1970

However, in retrospect, producer Mike Frankovich was delighted with the casting, claiming, “Nobody could have been better for the part than the Duke. He’s perfect.”

There were many advantages in casting Wayne as John Bernard Books, as director Don Siegel wanted to show the progression of the protagonist gunfighter from his early heroic and glorious days to his very tragic death. What better strategy to use than actually borrowing old clips from Wayne’s own great Westerns, Stagecoach, Red River, and Hondo, all cult films.
The movie thus became a self-conscious invocation of the Wayne screen, and an unintentional tribute to his lengthy career, as, among other things, the most significant screen image in Hollywood history. For some, who knew the actor was ill, it looked as if The Shootist had been consciously designed as an epitaph, though Wayne was planning at the time to continue making movies.
There were many parallels between the fictional narrative and Wayne’s personal life. John Bernard Books is dying of cancer, a theme that was unpalatable and unmentionable to many actors, but not to Wayne. “Hell, no. It means nothing to me,” he told an interviewer, “I’m a member of the club, after all.” However, Wayne refused to make cancer the film’s major concern and, accommodating his request, the subject was mentioned in the text just twice.
Moreover, the conversation between Wayne and the physician (played by Republican peer and Wayne pal Jimmy Stewart), confirming his fear of having cancer, was in harmony with his image. Stewart has the burden to inform Brooks the grim truth about cancer. Ahead of its time, the conversation even hints and suggests the possibility of suicide as a way of avoiding the growing and excruciating pain. Indeed, upon being told the bad news, an upset Wayne protests, “You told me I was strong as an ox,” to which Stewart’s doctor replies, “Even oxen die.”
At the center of the yarn is Wayne’s relationship with a widowed landlady, Bond Rogers (Lauren Bacall), and her son, Gillom (Ron Howard). At first, Howard resents Wayne, but gradually he learns to respect him, admiring him for being “the most celebrated” shootist in the West. Howard, like other children in his films, learns how to behave properly by observing and emulating Wayne’s behavior.
For example, spying on Wayne from the window, he gets his first lesson, “If you want to see me, knock on the door, like a man.” Later, Wayne sums up his philosophy of life to Howard, deeming it useful to the younger generation: “I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to others, and I require the same of them.”
When Howard asks for a shooting lesson, Wayne agrees but instructs him: “A man should know how to handle a gun–with discretion.” The film’s assumption, like Hondo,” is that every child, let alone an orphan, needs a sociological father in order to become a man. And, in similar manner to The Cowboys, Howard adopts his master’s style and philosophy. In the last scene, he avenges Wayne’s death in the saloon by using the latter’s gun, then throws it away.
With all my praise for its artistic and acting qualities, ideologically speaking, The Shootist also was one of Wayne’s most self-righteous and self-aggrandizing movies. At various scenes, he’s described as, “the most celebrated shootist in the West,” and as a gunslinger “who never killed a man who didn’t deserve it.”
As in the earlier and far inferior film, Big Jake, Wayne shows a self-conscious concern with his increasing age and the coming of modernization to the West–the movie takes place in Carson City circa 1901.
A man of the past, Wayne’s hero is out of place, an outsider not in tune with his times. When he first rides into town and obstructs the traffic, Brooks is told, not too gracefully, “Get out of the way, old man!”
In another scene, he is greeted as “Hey, Methuselah!” We also learn that the old, famous Queen Victoria is also and already dead. The Queen like Wayne the actor and Brooks the character, is a symbol of the past. Wayne says he likes the Queen, because she had dignity: “She’s the kind of gal I’d like to meet.”
Moreover, when Serpeta (Sherre North), a woman of his past, unexpectedly comes to visit him and suggests they get married so that she can gain some money from writing a book about him after his death, Brooks calls her bluff, claiming, “I won’t be remembered for a pack of lies.” However, as real and old-fashioned gentleman, Brooks gives her money for her travel and sends her back home.
PROC. BY MOVIES

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Prince Harry’s Triumph in the U.S. Brings Joy to King Charles During Recovery

Prince Harry’s recent success in the United States has sparked a wave of positivity within the royal family, particularly uplifting the spirits of his father, King Charles, who is recovering from a health battle. Harry’s achievements have not only bolstered his own career but also helped mend strained relationships between father and son. To honor his son’s efforts, King Charles has granted Harry a new royal title, marking a significant step toward reconciliation. This gesture reflects a shift towards healing within the family, signaling a new chapter of unity and mutual support.

The timing of this development is notable, as it comes when King Charles is navigating the challenges of cancer recovery. Despite the private nature of his health struggle, the King’s ability to witness such a positive turn in his family dynamic has been a source of comfort. The news has been met with widespread approval, particularly from royal fans in the UK who see this as a hopeful sign of familial unity.

The granting of a new royal title to Prince Harry is symbolic of a broader reconciliation process. Royal experts view this move as an acknowledgment of Harry’s perseverance and the King’s desire to restore harmony. The gesture not only honors Harry’s personal and professional achievements but also represents the King’s ongoing commitment to healing relationships within the royal household.

Over the past few years, Prince Harry has faced significant public scrutiny, especially due to his departure from royal duties. However, his recent triumphs in the U.S. have shifted the narrative, showcasing his resilience and ability to overcome challenges. This success has further solidified his place within the royal fold, with King Charles’s gesture of granting him a title serving as an official recognition of this positive development.

The new title marks a turning point for the royal family, highlighting the strength of family ties even in times of adversity. As King Charles continues his recovery, it is clear that the bond between father and son is being repaired. This heartening story of perseverance and reconciliation serves as a reminder that even in the face of hardship, love and family support can pave the way for healing.

In conclusion, Prince Harry’s triumph in the U.S. has brought joy and hope to King Charles, signaling the beginning of a new chapter for the royal family. The new title granted to Harry reflects not only his professional success but also the ongoing efforts to mend family relationships. The royal family’s journey toward unity is now seen as a source of inspiration, reminding the world that even the most challenging circumstances can lead to moments of healing and renewal.

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What’s the First Color You See? The Answer Says a Lot

People may not always get the results they want on personality and IQ tests, but they are fun to take to pass the time. Based on the results of this personality test, the first color you see might tell someone something about you.

There are lots of fun and interesting personality tests you can take while you wait at the doctor’s office or the DMV. Even though they aren’t always true, they can be funny sometimes because the things they talk about are real. For example, this personality test looks at the first color a person sees to get a sense of how they see themselves and what kind of person they probably are.

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Purple

Purple is a color that is often linked to intelligence, creativity, and power. If the first color you see on this personality test is purple, you are probably a unique person who leans toward conservative values and might even be scary to other people. Still, your willingness to change things drives you to be that change, and your light shines through when you do.

Gray Appeared First in the Personality Test

Gray is a basic color that looks good with a lot of different things. This is a refined but more lively color than black or charcoal. It’s a better choice for business or formal wear because it’s lighter and more cheerful. This color can be used instead because it is nicer and brighter. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that finding a gray coloration early on could mean that you are calm, reasonable, and very sensible. On the other hand, people who have trouble controlling their feelings may feel threatened or in danger.

Yellow First

Kids use yellow to show that it’s sunny outside and to make their faces look happy. The connection between color and happiness is like the connection between light and color. People often associate this color with new life and the start of spring. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that someone who got a yellow on the personality test is seen as hopeful. This is because the color yellow is linked to hope in a good way. They love what they do and make the most of every moment by enjoying each wonderful moment and living each day to the fullest. The sad truth is that people who are always unhappy about life will never be able to connect with someone who is always positive.

It’s possible that you didn’t notice just one of those three colors, even though they can give you some clues about who you are. Instead, it’s more likely that you saw two or three of them. You are more likely to be the same if the second color you saw was blue, brown, or green. This might make people with shady goals question your intentions.

The third Color Noted in the Personality Test

As was already said, you are probably smart if you saw blue, brown, or green after seeing two other colors. This could scare other people who might feel weak or unprepared. These people might be scared of how smart you are.

This personality test is just for fun, but it’s a great way to kill time when you have some free time. If you have trouble going asleep, this could be what’s wrong. It’s a great way to kill time when you don’t have anything else to do. Please look at the following list of more interesting personality tests.

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Baby called ‘hideous’ is a gorgeous little girl now

Every person is beautiful in their own way, and the same goes for the newborn babies.

When a baby girl named Angelica was born in 2018, her family was overjoyed. She had beautiful facial features and a heart-shaped port wine stain which made her even more special. Sadly, not everyone saw the beauty of her unique mark.

According to Angelica’s mom, her family accepted her the way she is and even love her birthmark, but there have been those who give themselves the right to comment on this girl’s looks.

“The worst comment online that I’ve gotten is when someone asked if her face had been pushed onto a skillet. Basically, saying her face looked grilled,” Angelica’s mom, Marianna Bowering told the Mirror.

Marianna further said that there were times when her daughter was labeled “hideous” and a “defect.” This affected the family in a negative way and only added to the challenged they faced, but they were determined to overcome the negative effects of the mean words and comments.

No matter what others said, Angelica’s family taught her to love herself the way she is.

In order to help her daughter feel better, Marianna decided to paint her face with what resembled a birthmark just like the one of Angelica.

“I got the idea from vascular birthmark awareness day, where they encourage people to paint a heart on the cheeks,” the mom said, according to The Epoch Times. “Initially I just did the heart with my makeup look but then I thought why don’t I go all out and do Angelica’s port wine stain.”

Whenever someone tried to ‘comfort’ Marianna that her daughter’s mark would eventually fade away or that she could hide it with makeup once she gets older only crushed this mother even more as she couldn’t help but wonder if Angelica would be forced to hide her natural beauty instead of embracing it.

It was a reminder that societies have these norms about what a person needs to look like in order to fit the group and be accepted.

 

Her family has always told Angelica that she should love herself for who she is. There were times when Marianna would cover her daughter’s wine port stain with glitter so that it could shine bright.

“Thankfully, we’ve done tests and Angelica is totally healthy,” Marianna said of her girl, referring to the fact that children with these types of birthmarks can develop other health conditions. “We just need to have regular check-ups, especially for her eyes as glaucoma can be a concern.”

 

We are glad Angelica is taught how to love herself and embrace her birthmark.

She is a very beautiful young lady, don’t you agree?

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