Category: John Wayne
-
True Grit And Duds By John Wayne: He Worked Tirelessly But Had Two Of His Best Movies Stolen
Long before his breakout role in John Ford’s Stagecoach, John Wayne was a struggling young actor who fronted dozens of “Poverty Row” films. These were low-budget b-movies that were filmed quickly, with some notable examples from his career including Wayne’s sole “horror” Haunted Gold. He always appeared to be on the cusp of stardom, but…
-
Why “The Searchers” Should Have Earned John Wayne an Oscar Decades Earlier?
John Wayne has become synonymous with the Western genre and the archetype of a traditional cowboy as far as the American consciousness is concerned. He wasn’t considered a very good actor as much as he was recognized for having an undeniable screen presence. Tall, broad-shouldered, and stoic, he often portrayed quiet, principled men who could…
-
Unveiling John Wayne’s Roots: The Fascinating Story of His Birthplace
BROOKLYN, Iowa — A new historical marker unveiled here May 28 pays homage to a movie star who lived in the community as a child. John Wayne, who was born Marion Morrison, moved with his family in 1909 to a privately owned home at 717 Jackson St. in Brooklyn. His father, a pharmacist, moved the…
-
A Love Story for the Ages: Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne’s Irresistible Chemistry
Actor Maureen O’Hara once admitted to the undeniable chemistry that she had with John Wayne on the screen. However, this is something that both actors acknowledged after seeing their own performances at the time. They shared romantic energy that audiences simply swooned over. O’Hara once broke down the “erotic chemistry” that she shared with Wayne…
-
40 Years Later: How Jeff Bridges Mastered Rooster Cogburn in True Grit
In order to make his best movie of the past few decades Jeff Bridges was forced to ignore Western icon John Wayne. That takes some serious bravery and boldness. Jeff Bridges is no stranger to the Western genre. Lloyd Bridges, Jeff Bridges’ father, took on a leading role in some of the best Westerns ever…
-
Katharine Hepburn vs. John Wayne: The Showdown That Transformed Their Working Relationship
Katharine Hepburn isn’t one to hold back her opinions, including when it comes to her co-stars. After refusing to work with one famous actor during the 1950s, she eventually did do a movie with him in the ’70s. But, that didn’t mean that she suddenly approved of everything he did. After the movie finished filming—and…
-
Why Did John Wayne Feel Unrecognized by John Ford Until After His Oscar Win?
Movie star John Wayne and legendary filmmaker John Ford made one of the most iconic actor-director duos ever. However, the director was infamously harsh on the actor, frequently coming down hard on him in front of entire movie sets. Ford didn’t open up about his positive feelings toward Wayne’s performances until after he won an…
-
How Did Henry Hathaway and Marguerite Roberts Transform ‘True Grit’ from Page to Screen?
True Grit actor John Wayne became the face of the Western genre thanks to iconic classics, such as Stagecoach and Red River. He always had a firm understanding of characterization, but he always wanted to keep it family-friendly. Wayne once said that he actually preferred the changes made to the True Grit ending compared to…
-
John Wayne Justified ‘True Grit’s Rooster Cogburn Shooting Bad Guys ‘Between the Eyes’
True Grit actor John Wayne refused to accept roles that didn’t fit into the character that he took so long to establish with moviegoing audiences. Additionally, he wouldn’t star in any movies that insulted his morals and values. Wayne played a tough marshal in True Grit with Rooster Cogburn, but he once explained why his…
-
10 surprising things about True Grit’s Behind-the-Scenes Buzzing, Despite John Wayne’s Disapproval?
Set in 1880 Dardanelle, Yell County, Arkansas, True Grit stars teenage girl Mattie Ross (Kim Darby), who is on a mission of ‘justice’ to avenge her father’s death. And in her search for her father’s killer, Mattie recruits the eyepatch-sporting, tough, old marshal Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn (John Wayne), who has a reputation for getting the…