John Wayne made over 170 movies across his incredible motion picture career, spanning from the silent era into the New Hollywood of the 1970s. Yet did you know that after filming his final movie The Shootist in 1976, Duke was set to star in another Western? The film in question was a comedy called The … Read more
Following his Oscar-winning role in True Grit, John Wayne returned as his one-eyed US Marshal in 1975’s Rooster Cogburn. This time around his co-star would be fellow Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn, who did not share the same political views as Duke. At times Wayne would have furious outbursts on set due to his serious health … Read more
John Wayne was famous for his tough guy image on and off screen, mostly being known for playing cowboys and military men. By the early 1960s, Duke was in his fifties, struggling with health problems yet continuing to insist on not only doing his own stunts but also playing characters – including historical figures – … Read more
By the 1970s, John Wayne – who would have been 117 today – was coming towards the end of his career as a Hollywood star. In 1973, aged 65-years-old, he had been living with one lung for the best part of 10 years and was suffering from emphysema on the remaining one. That year he … Read more
It’s John Wayne’s birthday today. Few Hollywood stars had such a major and lasting impact, with his famous walk, drawl and silhouette still easily recognisable – even if he never actually said, “Get off your horse and drink your milk.” Way back in 1929, he had a small uncredited role in the American Football film … Read more
John Wayne had already remade 1959’s Rio Bravo, a film about a sheriff defending his office from outlaws, in 1966’s El Dorado. Yet Howard Hawks, who directed both films, wanted to make it a third time in 1970’s Rio Lobo. When the filmmaker first approached Duke about the idea, the Hollywood star replied: “Do I … Read more
It was 51 years ago today when The Godfather would go on to win three of its 10 Academy Award nominations, but not without controversy. James Bond star Roger Moore announced Marlon Brando as the winner of the Best Actor Oscar, but the Don Corleone actor didn’t turn up to accept the award. Instead, a … Read more
James Caan was 27 when cast as knife-throwing gambler Mississippi in Howard Hawks’ first remake of Rio Bravo, El Dorado. Co-starring opposite John Wayne and Robert Mitchum in the 1966 Western was a massive deal and over the years he’s shared some shocking stories of the shenanigans and at times fiery altercations he had with Duke. Acting … Read more
Back in 1959, John Wayne made a patriotic comeback to Westerns in Rio Bravo. After John Ford’s The Searchers, Duke had made an effort to move away from the genre, however, the movies he made afterwards weren’t as well received. Heading back to the Wild West with director Howard Hawks, Rio Bravo would be a response to … Read more
Back in 1959, critics were already asking if John Wayne was too old to be playing gunslinger leads. Rio Bravo was released that year and the romantic age gap between the 51-year-old and his 27-year-old co-star Angie Dickinson had received negative reactions in reviews. Nevertheless, the Hollywood star found ways to play older cowboys over … Read more