Why I like John Wayne.

(((I know this will probably open a "Can of Worms" because somebody here will believe their own propaganda on reality)))


John Wayne was a true American. He tried to enlist in the military in ww2--but was refused because of his hearing problems and that the govt felt he would be more useful in making movies for the public to watch.

If John Wayne is such a bad actor--then why is it that he was THE ONLY actor to be #1 for 20 years--and also in the top 10 for another 20 years???

Many of John Waynes movies may not be factual or even remotely factual--but--who cares? THAT is Hollywood. Their stuff was meant to take one away from reality -- everyday things. Well--it worked.

I grew up with watching John Wayne movies--played on several networks including: ABC NBC and CBS. This was many years before where I lived--ever heard of nor having--Cable TV. At that time--there were no video stores--in my area. You watched ahwtever was on TV--if you wanted something to see.

John Wayne movies were played on ABC and NBC at least once a month--sometimes we got a treat and saw TWO John Wayne movies a month!

Usually they were also played on days important to us in history--like Pearl Harbor Day, D-Day--June 6th, etc... As I was growing up--the John Wayne movies always played--year after year after year were always the same few: Big Jake, Rooster Cogburn, The Longest Day, The Alamo, The Shootist, The Flying Tigers, Back To Bataan, They Were Expendable, and...In Harms way.

At that time--I had never seen anything elso of his until the miracle of Cable TV.

They the whold world was opened up for me to see. I got exposed to more of his movies like: Sands of Iwo Jima, Hondo, Three Godfathers, John Fords: Cavalry Trilogy: Fort Apache, Rio Grande and She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, Allegheny Uprising, Hondo, "I Love Lucy episodes, Laugh in episodes etc.

Lefties must face it-- John Wayne is an American Icon. Im damed glad for him and ALL of his films. He did his best to help the war effort--not accepting a single penny for any guest appearances in tours he did for the US Govt--UNlike Bob Hope.

John Wayne tought the younger generations values to which as we grow older--wqe can pass them on. MANY MANY people wanted to be: John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and Humphrey Bogart, Richard Boone, Jim Arness; for example.

They were the image of "The good American." Tho I like and are a big fan of people like: Errol Flynn, Lee Marvin etc--both especially Flynn--led controversial lives. John Wayne was also controversial at times with his drinking--as were many many many other personalities. John Wayne did admit to his wrongs--the other did not.

To me as I was growing upThe Duke was "The Ultimate Hero." Im my opinion--he is needed today as well - being that we have no more "REAL" heroes to look up to.

We do not seem to have any: Pattons, any Mannerheims, any Rommels, any Chuikovs, any Annands or Montys, any "real" heroes to look up to.

Other past heroes I did look up to include: Robert E. Lee, Walter D. Ehlers, Audie Leon Murphy, Joe Foss, Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, General Slim, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, Juan Seguin, Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson, Joshua Chamberlain, David Glasgow Farragut, JEB Stuart, Gen Omar Nelson Bradley, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Daniel Boone, Martin Luther King Jr., Ensign George Gay, Frank D. Merrill, Cunningham, Maj Bong, Louie Armstrong, Jackie Robinson, Carl Lewis, Edward R. Murrow, Ernie Pyle, just to name some.

Where have all the heroes gone?

I know this was meant for my reasons for liking John Wayne and I want to end it as that he was a gent who stood for the good.

Like him, or hate him, nobody can take away from John Wayne the 20 years he was at the top in Americas and the worlds favorite--nor the other 20 years he was in the top 10.

I think that speaks for itself.

John Wayne still is and will always remain--MY HERO.

 

Good for you, Carl! But I still do not have an opinion here... I have never watched any of his films...

 

What is the name of that film where one of his comrades get a big piece of wood in his chest after a bridge has been blown up?

By the way, Carl- I do think he has made some good movies and said some good things for that matter as well.

Best regards/ Daniel

 

The Sons of Katie Elder

 

Carl, I cant disagree with much that you said, John Wayne was a good actor and a cultural icon. I do not always agree with his political leanings, but do not for a minute believe that he was not genuine in his beliefs. He was for a great many people the epitome of the american hero

 

Thanks Smoke, I think I liked the Sons of Katie Elder, I can't remember it so good. As for John Waynes political views I just think one should ignore them. He was no intellectual and was naive enough to let himself be used by Hollywood. His contribution to the film history is nevertheless big.

Best regards/ Daniel

 

Loadsa memorable movies....

Here´s a nice shot on John, Carl!

 

Right on, Smoke - and it's Earl Holliman who gets the piece of wood in the chest....

 

Don't forget about The Horse Soldiers, or the classic western, The Searchers!

Two other fantastic Wayne films that don't get the props that they deserve because they are not typical Wayne films are Trouble Along the Way and, what many consider to be arguably his best film, The Quiet Man.

 

Do you know Kurosawa once said the The Searchers was hus favourite American movie, thats high praise.

 

Thank you Daniel and Smoke is correct--the movie was Sons of Katie Elder--another favorite of mine but not in the top 10 of my favs.

Smoke--I agree with you but--he had his loyalties in his heart and in the right place. He was here when America needed a hero the most. I cant say that for the likes of clinton,(moscow during the Nam war) springsteen (who slithered across the US/Canada border) to shirk his duty as an American during the Nam war.

Kai: I think this is a pic of him in the fine movie: Three Godfathers." It was an excellent western set during the Christmas season. He and two other outlaws rob a bank in the town that Ward Bond is the Sheriff of. The two other outlaws were: Pedro Armendariez (Pedro) and Harry Carey Jr. (The Kid) I think they all did an excellent acting job in that movie.

Anyway--after robbing the bank and escaping--they happen to be in need of water and stumble on a broken down wagon with a pregnant lady about to give birth. her husband deserted her and they help deliver her baby--and because of them doing so--she named them her childs Godfathers. She died and they stumbled on through the desert. Along the way--the Kid and Pedro die and he just barely makes it to a town and he stumbles into a Saloon where he gets something for the child--then suddenly is confronted by Ward Bonds Posse--and he collapses from thirst and exhaustion. The child was named after these three men: William Pedro Hightower. Carey Jr, Armendarez and The Duke.

Really a beautiful movie.

Thank you Ivan--and I agree--the movies you mentioned were great too. I will always love Maureen O'Hara.

[ 17. February 2003, 03:42 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]

 

Guys :

What was the name of the movie with the Duke ? some gal with the long neck and she is still alive an kicking......good grief this is terrible, by the way this should help, the movie was cast down my own beautfiul Rogue River..... !

I remember the takes quite well as it was broadcasted on the two TV stations and all the radio waves, newpaper gave an almost day by day account and all the kids through college were going down to try and apply as doubles or work crews. What a crack up it was. No-one was allowed to fish, raft or sun-bathe in a 20 mile stretch while the movie was taking place for two or more months and all the local guides and raft services were losing big money, as we have over 35 different services along the rogue in a 20 mile stretch

E

 

Kai--a request sir!

See if you can find anything with him in the TV series: "I Love Lucy" please--I will be in debted to you if you can find a pic.

 

This one??



What no? Ok, I´ll try again...

In a rare television appearance in October of 1951, John Wayne guest starred in a "classic" two-part episode of the I Love Lucy show. In the episode Lucy and Ethel discover that the cement block containing John Wayne's footprints has come loose. Crowbar in hand, the girls go back later that night and make off with "the souvenir to end all souvenirs." The cement block breaks and high jinx ensue as the fearsome foursome try to get John to make a set of replacement prints.

http://www.destinationhollywood.com/celebrities/johnwayne/feature_ilovelucy.shtml





http://www.lagiftshop.com/videopictures.html

And another classic



Well, if it doesn´t show you can see it here

http://www.chez.com/johnwayne/



[ 18. February 2003, 04:44 AM: Message edited by: Kai-Petri ]

 

Sorry, wrong topic. Had to edit.

[ 18. February 2003, 09:02 AM: Message edited by: Doc Raider ]

 

Thats the episode my friend--thanks.

 

By the way--I have heard that a place called: The Metroplex--which is in or near Dallas--shows old B/W movies and I heard that "The Alamo" is to be shown there soon. I WISH I lived in Dallas.

 

Oh, Carl, Carl , Carl

I'll pretend you did not impune the integrity of The Boss, that way we can continue to be friends

 

The Boss, The Boss? you mean...Darth Vader?

BTW--did you know that The Duke rubbed elbows with Marilyn Monroe? Also-- The Dukes favorite place to visit was Heidelberg, Germany and his favorite place to hang out was at: Zum Rothen Ochsen.

 

I forgot to mention yesterday--that if you ever go eat there at Zum Rother Ochsen--ask to see their guest books--you will be amazed at who you see visited there.