John Wayne

The True Grit Scene John Wayne Considered His Best EVER Work

John Wayne believed one scene from True Grit featured his best ever work as an actor. Wayne starred in everything from romantic dramas to wacky comedies throughout his 50-year-long career but was typecast – comfortably so – in cowboy roles. He began his career working on so-called “Poverty Row” Westerns during the ’30s, before breaking through with Stagecoach at the end of the decade. In the years that followed, he appeared in many classics of the genre, including The Searchers and Rio Bravo. He won his only Oscar, however, for his turn as the ill-tempered U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn in True Grit.
This 1969 John Wayne Western adapted the book of the same name and saw Cogburn hired by teen girl Mattie (Kim Darby) to find the man who killed her father. While the two partners bicker throughout, one of the most affecting scenes in True Grit sees them bond as Rooster recounts his past, including the wife and son who left him. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability, both for the character and Wayne as a performer. In an interview with Roger Ebert, he stated that “I guess that scene in ‘True Grit’ is about the best scene I ever did.”

Wayne Felt True Grit Let Him Play A Character Instead Of Himself

John Wayne holds a gun as Rooster Cogburn in True Grit

In the same way Clint Eastwood’s long history with Westerns loaned poignancy to Unforgiven, Wayne’s past with the genre is all over this True Grit scene. The actor himself certainly felt Rooster offered him one of his best parts, stating again to Ebert that “It’s sure as hell my first decent role in 20 years and my first chance to play a character role instead of John Wayne.” Whatever project he appeared in, Wayne’s – who was nicknamed “Duke” – screen persona didn’t differ much from role to role, while audiences specifically turned up to see the new “John Wayne” movie. This didn’t leave him much room to experiment with his performances.

True Grit’s Rooster was one of Wayne’s most textured characters. On the surface, he’s a cantankerous, lazy Marshal who would much prefer spending his time drinking. That said, he’s also really good at his job, and inspire of himself not only takes a liking to Mattie, but he even opens up to her. The film gave Wayne some of his most famous scenes too, including his climatic horse charge, where he dual-wields revolvers against Ned Pepper’s outlaws.

True Grit’s Rooster Is The Only Character Wayne Reprised

rooster cogburn 1975 poster

Wayne made some thematic sequels during his career, such as the unofficial Rio Bravo trilogy, consisting of Rio Bravo, El Dorado and Rio Lobo. The only time he ever played the same character again, however, was True Grit sequel Rooster Cogburn. This 1975 Oater saw Rooster team up with Katharine Hepburn as a spinster setting out to avenge her father. While the two Hollywood icons have good chemistry together, Rooster Cogburn – which proved to be Wayne’s penultimate performance – is one of Wayne’s most mediocre Westerns. Still, out of the many roles he could have returned to, it says something that he felt like reprising Rooster.

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.