Category: Western
-
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…
-
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…
-
Beyond the Leading Role: The Westerns That Shaped Clint Eastwood’s Career, Even Without Him in the Spotlight
Two of Clint Eastwood’s favorite Westerns had a big impact on his own work in the genre. The Western genre was waning in popularity by the time Eastwood became a movie star in the 1960s, but his work in the Dollars movie trilogy or Hang ‘Em High helped keep “Oaters” alive in the years that…
-
Unmasking the True Story Behind Clint Eastwood’s Cape in the Dollars Trilogy
Clint Eastwood is already a legendary figure in the industry. He is an icon who reignited people’s interest in Westerns with his Dollars trilogy in the ’60s. He created one of the most recognizable and memorable characters in film history with The Man With No Name. His swag, charm, and personality were what made the…
-
Legendary Lines: 20 Must-See Quotes from ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly quotes help cement the iconic Spaghetti Western in cinema history. It is not only one of the best Westerns ever made, but it also ranks highly in many “Greatest Movies Of All Time” lists — and for good reason. Director Sergio Leone created an everlasting masterpiece in this…
-
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…
-
What Drew John Wayne to Arizona, Making it His Beloved Home?
Hollywood may have been where Western movie icon John Wayne made his fame and fortune, but he clearly also left a mark – and perhaps a piece of his heart – in Arizona. The bigger than life celluloid cowboy’s love affair with our state dates back to 1930 and “The Big Trail,” which was filmed…
-
From ‘True Grit’ to Redemption: How Critics Reevaluated John Wayne After ‘The Green Berets’
Rooster Cogburn rediscovers his life in ‘True Grit’ Wayne didn’t get along with his True Grit co-star, Kim Darby, but he pushed his feelings down for the sake of the motion picture. The actor ultimately wanted to give the role to his own daughter, but he didn’t quite have the final say on the casting.…
-
The Unreleased Spectacle of a Western: Wayne’s ‘Hondo’ – Shot in 3-D but Not Released as Such
John Wayne managed to monopolize the western genre due to his consistent inventiveness. While Wayne starred in countless westerns, he was able to keep the genre interesting by keeping audiences on their toes. When Wayne disapproved of the way that western characters were interpreted in High Noon, he created Rio Bravo in response; when he…
-
“I’m Your Huckleberry” Resounds Again: A.I. and Val Kilmer’s Remarkable Comeback
Val Kilmer tragically lost the voice he once had due to throat cancer, but A.I. has recently helped give it back to him. Kilmer – who’s recently been in the limelight as the subject of the Amazon documentary Val – has been in an array of popular movies since the 1980s. His credits include classics…