John Wayne: An Appreciation - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tv star collector · 11-28-2007, 08:56 AM

Off screen or on, John Wayne had style. He was able to identify completely
with the straight-talking characters he played. His real-life remarks earned him
as much attention as his performances. The following are typical of Duke's style:

"I figure legends are people who aren't around. Hell, I'm no legend. I'm here and planning to stay around a while longer."

"I'm 53 years old and 6'4". I've had three wives, five children and three grand-
children. I love good whiskey. I still don't understand women, and I don't think
there is any man who does."

"I am proud of every day in my life I wake up in the United States of America."

I always look for a story with basic emotions. A dog, a kid, a woman's love, a
man's love."

[Duke's career spanned over forty years and more than 200 films. In fact,
"Stagecoach" (1939)--the picture that made him a star--was the 65th film
that he made.]

"I've been in more bad pictures than just about anyone in the business."

"I stopped getting the girl about ten years ago. It was just as well. By then,
I'd forgotten what I wanted to get the girl for."

"You don't have to act, you react. And you always make 'B' pictures if you
deviate from that theory. Look at any 'B' picture. The actor has to come in
and explain everything with words. In an 'A' picture, you do it with a look."

"I don't care what the critics say. It's a hell of a lot harder to act naturally
than it is to act theatrically. So what if I do play John Wayne? Why in the
hell shouldn't I? I know him better than anyone else. And I can play him
better than anyone else."

Once a man shouted out from the crowd, asking if Wayne spoke Spanish.
"Not too well," admitted Wayne.
"What?" replied the man, anxious to show off his knowledge about Wayne.
"You've had three Spanish wives and you can't speak Spanish?"
"Waal," drawled Wayne, "I guess I just never listened to 'em."

**********

"If today John Wayne is a legend, it is not only because of his work as an
actor, but through his life as a man. In his life--as in few others--the legend
has become the reality."
-- Biographer Mike Tomkies

Mr. Television · 11-28-2007, 06:50 PM

John Wayne was a great man and a great actor. Their has never been anyone like him since.

Janice · 11-29-2007, 09:15 PM

comedyfreak · 11-30-2007, 06:24 AM

Finally a thread for the Duke! My favorite John Wayne movie is The Shootist.

tv star collector · 11-30-2007, 08:18 AM

Thanks, Janice, for posting the John Wayne commemorative stamp. I collect
stamps but must have missed that one.

ponytail · 12-01-2007, 06:41 AM

I've seen all his movies. I can watch them over and over and never get tired of them. I get emotional when watching The Shootist. I remember when that movie came out. It was playing at our local drive-in and they were showing a double feature. I think the first movie was the The Posse, it rained during that whole movie but when The Shootist started the rain stopped and when the movie ended it started to rain again. I did get the chance to meet Ethan Wayne. He was such a gentlemen and nice looking. My brother was a friend of Ben Johnson's who appeared in a lot of Wayne's films. Any hoo, I'm a big fan of the Duke's.

tv star collector · 12-01-2007, 09:00 AM

My favorites are "McLintock!" and "Stagecoach." John's son Patrick Wayne
appears in "McLintock!" as the man who is interested in Duke's daughter
(played by Stefanie Powers). I think that is the all-time best comedy Western
and what a terrific supporting cast: Maureen O'Hara, Powers, Chill Wills,
Edgar Buchanan, Jack Kruschen, Jerry Van Dyke, Robert Lowery, Yvonne
DeCarlo. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

11-28-2007, 08:56 AM	#1
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	John Wayne: An Appreciation Off screen or on, John Wayne had style. He was able to identify completely with the straight-talking characters he played. His real-life remarks earned him as much attention as his performances. The following are typical of Duke's style: "I figure legends are people who aren't around. Hell, I'm no legend. I'm here and planning to stay around a while longer." "I'm 53 years old and 6'4". I've had three wives, five children and three grand- children. I love good whiskey. I still don't understand women, and I don't think there is any man who does." "I am proud of every day in my life I wake up in the United States of America." I always look for a story with basic emotions. A dog, a kid, a woman's love, a man's love." [Duke's career spanned over forty years and more than 200 films. In fact, "Stagecoach" (1939)--the picture that made him a star--was the 65th film that he made.] "I've been in more bad pictures than just about anyone in the business." "I stopped getting the girl about ten years ago. It was just as well. By then, I'd forgotten what I wanted to get the girl for." "You don't have to act, you react. And you always make 'B' pictures if you deviate from that theory. Look at any 'B' picture. The actor has to come in and explain everything with words. In an 'A' picture, you do it with a look." "I don't care what the critics say. It's a hell of a lot harder to act naturally than it is to act theatrically. So what if I do play John Wayne? Why in the hell shouldn't I? I know him better than anyone else. And I can play him better than anyone else." Once a man shouted out from the crowd, asking if Wayne spoke Spanish. "Not too well," admitted Wayne. "What?" replied the man, anxious to show off his knowledge about Wayne. "You've had three Spanish wives and you can't speak Spanish?" "Waal," drawled Wayne, "I guess I just never listened to 'em." ********** "If today John Wayne is a legend, it is not only because of his work as an actor, but through his life as a man. In his life--as in few others--the legend has become the reality." -- Biographer Mike Tomkies

11-28-2007, 06:50 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	John Wayne was a great man and a great actor. Their has never been anyone like him since.
	__________________ Sonny

11-29-2007, 09:15 PM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	John Wayne. 1907-1979

11-30-2007, 06:24 AM	#4
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	Finally a thread for the Duke! My favorite John Wayne movie is The Shootist.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

11-30-2007, 08:18 AM	#5
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Thanks, Janice, for posting the John Wayne commemorative stamp. I collect stamps but must have missed that one.

12-01-2007, 06:41 AM	#6
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	I've seen all his movies. I can watch them over and over and never get tired of them. I get emotional when watching The Shootist. I remember when that movie came out. It was playing at our local drive-in and they were showing a double feature. I think the first movie was the The Posse, it rained during that whole movie but when The Shootist started the rain stopped and when the movie ended it started to rain again. I did get the chance to meet Ethan Wayne. He was such a gentlemen and nice looking. My brother was a friend of Ben Johnson's who appeared in a lot of Wayne's films. Any hoo, I'm a big fan of the Duke's.

12-01-2007, 09:00 AM	#7
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	My favorites are "McLintock!" and "Stagecoach." John's son Patrick Wayne appears in "McLintock!" as the man who is interested in Duke's daughter (played by Stefanie Powers). I think that is the all-time best comedy Western and what a terrific supporting cast: Maureen O'Hara, Powers, Chill Wills, Edgar Buchanan, Jack Kruschen, Jerry Van Dyke, Robert Lowery, Yvonne DeCarlo. They don't make 'em like that anymore.