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In Memoriam
Remembering the Duke Again
My heroes haven't always been cowboys. (There's been Stan Musial, Chuck Yeager, Walker Percy, Margaret Thatcher, et al.) But one of them was certainly America's number one cowboy, perhaps America's number one patriot, and a fierce defender of its best values.
Marion Mitchell Morrison, springing from humble beginnings in Winterset, Iowa, was known to millions of movie-viewers as John Wayne, and to his friends as "Duke." He breathed his last at 5:23 P.M., June 11, 1979. Thirty years ago tomorrow. In those years we haven't seen his like, and probably won't again. The cultural soil just isn't here to grow another giant like the Duke.
Looking at the post-Duke culture, and the consequent train wreck of our politics, we haven't done so well without him showing the way in his vigorous but charming pre-Miranda style.
Although the Duke was probably the most popular movie star in Hollywood history, the current tinsel town of Sean Penn, George Clooney, Susan Sarandon, and the various Baldwins probably wouldn't have any place for the Duke. (The answer to the question, "How many Baldwin brothers are there?" is the same as the answer to, "How many timeouts are there in a basketball game?" Answer: No one knows for sure, but there's A LOT.)
It's fashionable since the sixties, at least in elite circles, to disparage the kind of conservatism and unrepentant patriotism the Duke represented. On top of being conservative, the Duke was unapologetically masculine, a man's man before this became politically incorrect. Even while millions of middle-Americans (and millions overseas) flocked to the Duke's movies, critics sneered and sniped at what they considered the Duke's overly simple moral code and his refusal to adopt their cynicism and irony.
There have been many biographies of the Duke. Some take the Hollywood hype approach. Others, like Garry Wills' John Wayne's America, attempt to deconstruct the Duke and Duke's America. We need not trouble with these. Of the serious attempts to tell the Duke's story, the gold standard is 1995's John Wayne: American, by Randy Roberts and James S. Olson. Both are professors, but their writing is free of academic obscurity, theory, or liberal tics. These guys are no dusty dons or ideological red-hots. The book is still available and worth the reading time.
Here's how Roberts and Olson sum up the Duke's crosswise position to the literati and glitterati:
As the cultural elite turned increasingly liberal, Wayne remained wedded to rock-ribbed, traditional values. He was no ideologue. He was a classical liberal in a true Barry Goldwater sense, a mainstream American small-town conservative and a mainstream 1940s anti-communist….. In person and in his films, John Wayne insisted that evil had to be punished, violently if necessary. Communism, he believed, was an incorrigible evil, socialism and liberalism were mere fellow travelers, and he remained unrepentant in his convictions. Liberal critics could never give John Wayne his due because they could never see beyond his politics.
But American movie-goers gave the Duke his due. After World War II, the country had endured a Great Depression and had taken the largest part in defeating well-armed fascism (with no personal help from the Duke except in patriotic movies and USO tours it must be pointed out -- the Duke felt guilty for the rest of this life about his lack of military service in The Big One). We were confident and ready to go on the gaudiest and most successful roll in history. Americans were more united than they had been in any time in their history, and almost certainly more than we ever will be again.
The Duke was perfect for these times, and his career took off. Before it was done, The Duke had starred in 150 films (including the B films where he learned his craft in the 1930s). For a quarter century, 1949 to 1973, he was the biggest box-office draw in movies.
It's not hard to see why. The Duke's action flicks are morality plays, where good and evil have a vigorous go at each other and there's no difficulty telling which is which. The Duke played some subtle roles -- for example the sixtyish Captain Nathan Brittles in 1949's She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, a role the Duke took on when he was only 42, or 1976's The Shootist, the Duke's final role, where he plays John Bernard Books, an aging gunfighter dying of cancer when the Duke himself was an aging actor dying of cancer. But there is very little moral nuance to be found in the Duke's movies, and no angst at all. No pity parties.
Values like patriotism, honesty, fidelity, personal responsibility, and doing the hard and necessary job whether we want to or not are celebrated in the Duke's movies. (No one in the Duke's movies is getting in touch with his inner child, or taking a mental health day.) For this reason his movies are civics lessons as well as entertainments.
The Duke's movies are beautifully filmed, with many of the westerns unfolding in the incomparable Monument Valley (where Arizona and Utah come together). They were directed by some of Hollywood's best, John Ford and Howard Hawks, to name just two. Even the music in the westerns is stirring, the work of some first rate composers such as Elmer Bernstein, Dimitri Tiomkin, and John Williams.
The Duke's movies are still widely available for purchase, through the various rental outfits, and for free loan at various public libraries. So on this sad anniversary, TAS readers might consider remembering and celebrating the Duke while being entertained at the same time by watching the Duke again. As morality plays, the movies stand up well over time.
The Duke liked a drink (or several) about as well as the next guy. So if adult beverages are part of your dinner plans tomorrow, I'd ask you to raise your glass to the Duke. A great American (even if he didn't take arms against America's sea of troubles in uniform). And one of a kind.
We could sure use you today, big guy.
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Hal g. P. Colebatch| 6.10.09 @ 7:17AM
I understand it was not The Duke's fault that hedidn't serve. He was classified unfit because of a shoulder injury.
Grampa Guy| 6.10.09 @ 7:24AM
In his role as J.B. Books, Duke goes out in a blaze of glory on his birthday, taking three miscreants with him in an ornate saloon called The Metropole. Prior to heading off to meet his destiny, he gave his beloved horse, Dollar, to a member of the next generation, played by Ron Howard. I sure hope old Dollar fared better in Opie's hands than Hollywood has. If you are ever in Brainerd, Minnesota, Mr. Thornberry, "come and see a fat old man sometime!"
G.A. Kevis| 6.10.09 @ 7:33AM
Hollowwoods' heros, heroines, the whole mash:
It's all celluloid.
Unreality.
Ryan| 6.10.09 @ 8:21AM
I don't think that the Greatest Generation minds so much that the Duke didn't serve - ask any old soldier, and you'll probably get a notion that the Duke did what he was supposed to be doing for them.
John Wayne was one-of-a-kind; honestly, we don't really see an actor of his physical and vocal style much anymore (about the only one that I can think of that has a shot is Nathan Fillion).
Wayne looked like he was supposed to be on a horse and throwing punches and shooting rustlers.
One more thing - what other actor caused so much fanfare when he got killed on screen? Poor Bruce Dern, a good actor, who got booed for some time afterward because he shot John in the back in the Cowboys (which, if you haven't seen, go see RIGHT NOW).
c. vail| 6.10.09 @ 8:50AM
As a kid in the 50s I could not get to, nor afford, the movies too often. But there were dozens, scores of western shows on TV, virtually every one of them with a hero/title character exhibiting the same values and virtues that Wayne did in his films. These days, alas, young boys have no comparable heros. Superman, Batman and Spiderman? Please, give me a break. Now even they are as neurotic as the rest of society.
Dustoff| 6.10.09 @ 10:02AM
I sure miss the Duke.
Bill Lemanski| 6.10.09 @ 10:27AM
In regard to Wayne not serving in WWII: I remember my father-in-law Pat, who served in the Pacific with a fighter ourfit recounting a meeting with the "Duke" on some god for saken island. He surprised everyone by walking into Pat's tent one night with a bottle of wiskey which he shared with everyone. Pat was a very short guy and they shot a picture of him and another shrimp with the Duke in the middle, arms extended with his palms resting upon the little guy's heads. The Duke did serve the military and war effort well despite not being in uniform.
Danny| 6.10.09 @ 10:38AM
The Duke was the greatest-all Hollywood/Clooney, et.al. hold their manhood cheap in his presence.
I met him once and will never forget it. I was ten and my family was on a trip to Dallas. My father heard from one of his business associates that John Wayne was staying at a nearby hotel. We went to the lobby on a whim, and damn if the Duke didn't walk out while we were there.
He smiled -so huge a smile it is impossible to forget-shook my hand and said 'Hello pardner", as he passed by.
So now my father and John Wayne are the two greatest men I have had the privilege to shake hands with.
Dennis the Menace| 6.10.09 @ 11:29AM
YUP! They try and deconstruct those superior elites alright. Take for instance William Manchester the author. In an interview on PBS ,I think, the discussion was about the war in the Pacific (my dad was there too Eniwitok, Leyete Gulf to name two places) and Manchester a marine railed on about seeing the (in Manchester's words) John Wayne draft dodger movie Sands of Iwo Jime and how his fellow marines were discusted with the portral yadda, yadda. The only thing is, the movie was made after the war; 1947 I think.
Son Of Sam| 6.10.09 @ 12:19PM
To say that John Wayne never served is akin to saying that Thomas Jefferson never shouldered a rifle during our revolution, or that Gandhi failed to end the caste system. Trying to tear down a good and great man by pointing out that he wasn't 100% perfect is something only deconstructionist nitpickers would attempt.
"deconstructionist"...gotta love a word like that! Aren't termites "deconstructionist" of our homes? Aren't rats, fleas and bubonic plague virus "deconstructionist" of our health? For my money, "deconstructionists" are sawed off little pissants who can only build themselves up by tearing others down.
There's nothing wrong with having the dividing line between right and wrong etched out in bold brilliant decisive colors. The only creatures that benefit from shadows, nuances and shades of grey are rats, termites, ObamaNazis and "deconstructionists"
stand strong until freedom dawns
Son Of Sam
http://www.samadamssos.bravehost.com
Tim| 6.10.09 @ 12:42PM
Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid.
John Wayne
Ned| 6.10.09 @ 1:17PM
Bumped into The Duke and his converted minesweeper ("Gray Goose?") in one of the little ports near Port Townsend, WA... I was 14, he
was immortal... he shook my hand, ruffled my hair, mom and dad didn't believe it until I pointed out the boat... didn't wash that hand for a month... but then I didn't wash the other one much, either...
Shane A. Bybee| 6.10.09 @ 2:38PM
" You look like the vermin-ridden son-of-a-bitch that you are". (John Wayne to Bruce Dern in The Cowboys). Kinda makes me think he'd say that to most of Hollywood today!!
S.L. Toddard| 6.10.09 @ 2:43PM
"I believe in white supremacy until blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. I don't believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people.... The academic community has developed certain tests that determine whether the blacks are sufficiently equipped scholastically.... I don't feel guilty about the fact that five or ten generations ago these people were slaves. Now I'm not condoning slavery. It's just a fact of life, like the kid who gets infantile paralysis and can't play football like the rest of us."
John Wayne
Playboy Magazine
May 1971
Scott| 6.10.09 @ 2:47PM
"Rooster Cogburn" is underrated. A better film than "True Grit," by any sane measure. Way more fightin' o' the bad guys for one thing. Outstanding supporting cast, esp., Richard Jordan in probably his best role. Shut up and watch it.
Michael| 6.10.09 @ 3:03PM
One of his co-stars in "The Cowboys" was Roscoe Lee Browne who said Wayne terrific to work with. Mr. Browne, who was black, said the same thing that all blacks who worked with him said. (Paragraph) One of my former bosses had a number of autographed photos of film and television stars on his office wall. The only one I was green with envy with was the one of him with John Wayne. I still am. (Paragraph) "The Alamo". It just keeps getting better with age. An epic which talks about honor and was made without computers. George Lucas, et al, could learn something from him about films.
Helen Donnelly| 6.10.09 @ 3:08PM
I never miss any of his movies on TV. They never grow old or stale....probably because we are so starving for movies like Red River, The Quiet Man, In Harm's Way, Rio Grande, Sands of Iwa Jima and countless others. You know, movies espousing patriotism, grit and yes, the American Way. God bless you, John Wayne.
JPousson| 6.10.09 @ 3:13PM
I love John Wayne movies, ever since I was a little kid I've loved 'em all, except for "North to Alaska" which, sadly, makes me physically ill (the sound effects, the terrible "humorous" bits). Sad, because I love Capucine as well.
The nation lost a bit of its manhood when this wonderful soul rode off into the sunset.
We are all the better for having such a tremendous hero that only America could produce.
I've shaken the hand of Andre the Giant, General "Red" Dozier and former president George HW Bush, wish I could have shaken the hand of a man who stood taller in America than any man since Abraham Lincoln.
He will ALWAYS be MY hero.
Dustoff| 6.10.09 @ 3:43PM
George Takei work with John Wayne in his movie (The Green Berets)
Even though George didn't agree with the war. he couldn't wait to work with Mr.Wayne. (George Takei book)
Clan Morrison| 6.10.09 @ 3:58PM
The Duke's given name was Marion MICHAEL Morrison. Did none of you John Wayne fans know that?
JPousson| 6.10.09 @ 4:37PM
Sorry, Clan Morrison, I guess we were so busy singing this great American's praises we missed a small error in detail by the author of the piece.
Guess we're just human.
Pingback| 6.10.09 @ 7:19PM
Remembering the Duke Again - Conservative Republican Discussion Forums links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Alan Brooks| 6.10.09 @ 8:18PM
the west isn't like it was even 50 years ago-- now its trash culture just like everywhere else.
John II| 6.10.09 @ 10:18PM
The Duke's best flick may have been "The Searchers"--much as it pains me to say so, given the liberal-left's penchant for admitting that magnificent film into its inner sanctum (albeit for the wrong reasons).
The fact is, John Wayne's better-known movies included everything from the very best ("Stagecoach," "Red River," etc.) to the incredibly worst ("Sands of Iwo Jima," "Green Berets," etc.). But I think his most interesting stuff happened during his "B-western" period in the 1930's: "Stampede" and "Telegraph Trail," for example (directed by the absurdly underrated Tenny Wright and introducing fabulously new and creative camera angles), are among the most spellbinding flicks of that fecund era in filmmaking.
There was a magic about the Duke. The man whom John Ford called "that big dumb bastard" was among the gruff Ford's favorite people, on screen and off. And the Left's contempt for the Duke is as good a reason as any to fight the Left tooth and nail.
Paul Revere| 6.10.09 @ 10:49PM
Hey folks, in "McClintock!" The Duke belts out the line that would be perfect for Obama Nation -- "The GOVERNMENT never gave ANYBODY ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!" :)
I also caught his cameo role last Sunday on Trinity Broadcasting in "The Greatest Story ever Told." As the Roman centurion standing at the foot of the cross he speaks the line, "Truly this was the Son of God." Great stuff.
Larry Thornberry | 6.10.09 @ 11:55PM
Larry Thornberry replies:
The subject of the Duke's real name is a bit of a moving target, thanks mostly to the Duke having on biographers and magazine writers by claiming his middle name was Michael. In fact it never was.
When the Duke was born, to honor both of his grandfathers, the Duke was named Marion Robert Morrison. When the Duke's younger brother came along, he was named Robert Emmett, and Duke's middle named was changed to Mitchell. Robert Mitchell Morrison remained his real name for the duration, with John Wayne a creation of director Raoul Walsh and Fox studio boss Winfield Sheehan when casting the Duke in "The Big Trail," in 1930.
Althougth fans and studio pubicity departments always referred to John Wayne, the big guy himself always preferred to be called Duke. By the way, John Wayne wasn't callled Duke because it's a tough, masucline-sounding name. He got the nickname when he was 11 years old. The family had a large airdale named Duke, young Marion's faithful pal and shadow. A group of Glendale firemen, in a station near the Morrison home where young Marion and the dog often visited, started calling the boy "Little Duke," or just "Duke." It stuck. So Marion was shed of a name that he hated, and that had started a fair number of fights when other boys taunted him with him. The name Duke lasted a lifetime.
Seek| 6.11.09 @ 12:48AM
I'll still take Clint Eastwood over John Wayne any day. He has more talent and vision, and is every bit the man. Hooray for contemporary Hollywood.
Seek| 6.11.09 @ 12:48AM
I'll still take Clint Eastwood over John Wayne any day. He has more talent and vision, and is every bit the man. Hooray for contemporary Hollywood.
Arina| 6.11.09 @ 2:16AM
cool image
Daisy| 6.11.09 @ 3:29AM
Clint Eastwood is almost 80 years old, not exactly a youngster, Seek. Dirtballs like Sean Penn populate Hollyweird now. Eww!
Eastwood is great, (I loved his Spaghetti Westerns) but he'll NEVER be the Duke.
John Wayne's "The Quiet Man" gets my vote! Still makes me swoon. ;)
Patriot| 6.11.09 @ 3:30AM
SLToddard--Obama Nazi extraordinaire.
cheap jordan shoes| 6.11.09 @ 5:25AM
I am very interested in it, could you please tell me some more imformation? Thank you!
Seek| 6.11.09 @ 11:14AM
Take Clint Eastwood's films of this decade, all of which he's directed and about half of which he's starred in: "Space Cowboys," "Bloodwork," "Mystic River," "Million Dollar Baby," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Letters from Iwo Jima," "Changeling," and "Gran Torino." Nothing John Wayne did at any point in his career come even close to this track record -- to say nothing of a solid first-rate contemporary character actor like Gene Hackman or Robert Duvall.
And, people, will you please stop citing Sean Penn as the sole example of today's films? Aside from being a brilliant actor (and in mostly non-political films), there's a lot more to movies than denouncing the off-camera statements of one actor. Or maybe "culture warriors" like Daisy are more about war than culture.
Missy| 6.11.09 @ 1:48PM
You look so stupid defending Hollyweird. Idiotic, actually. Fool.
Most of the current crop of Hollyweird cretins barely graduated from high school. Please, spare us your phony angst.
Hollyweird is a wasteland, just a pathetic parody of what it used to be.
Pingback| 6.11.09 @ 2:02PM
Papa Mike’s Blog » Blog Archive » I Can’t Believe It’s Been 30 years…… links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Helen Donnelly| 6.11.09 @ 2:55PM
Seek,
Sean is just one of many lightweight know nothings in Hollywood these days. Susan Sarandon, Julia Roberts, Tim Robbins, Brad Pitt, George Clooney....I could go on, but it's making me ill just thinking about it.
Seek| 6.11.09 @ 3:33PM
"Hollyweird" -- my, what cleverness. It's an epithet about as original as "RINO."
Maybe if culture war types like "Missy" and "Helen" dealt with actual films (it would help to see a few), they might have a discussion point or two. For the record, I see at least one new film a week, not all of them American, mind you.
Vile name-calling isn't going to score any points. Not even on the libertarian Right where I reside.
Libby| 6.11.09 @ 4:12PM
Hollyweird--the land of perverts, pimps, prostitutes and poseurs. Which one (or probably all) defines you, Seek?
spock| 6.11.09 @ 4:13PM
I pity the fool who does not treasure John Wayne movies.
dmarsmith| 6.11.09 @ 4:26PM
I don't get it. It's a sad commentary when someone who makes a living pretending to be something they becomes a "hero". Life is lived without cameras, mostly, and the audience that matters doesn't pay to see you. The script is made up as you go, and heroes abound in everyday life.
Paulie| 6.11.09 @ 4:49PM
Well, Seek--if you're from Hollyweird you'd know all about VILE. lol
PF| 6.11.09 @ 4:55PM
I have to point out a huge factual error: "After World War II, the country [...] had taken the largest part in defeating well-armed fascism."
The USA did not shoulder the "largest part in defeating well-armed fascism." Eighty percent of all German casualties in WWII were suffered on the Eastern Front, at the hands of our ally, the U.S.S.R.
It should be noted that we allied with one totalitarian state to take out another, and the dictator we sided with was responsible for more deaths than the one we fought. Want to guess which ethnicity lost the people in WWII? Nope, not the Jews at the hands of Hitler. That's right, Ukrainians at the hands of our ally Stalin.
Leslie| 6.11.09 @ 4:58PM
Did you know that he's the one who convinced Reagan to run for governor of California? There's lots of reason to love The Duke!
Betty Sanchez| 6.11.09 @ 5:58PM
It's no more idiotic to make a hero out of George Clooney than John Wayne. For pete's sake, they're actors. Only a fool like Larry Thornberry would lionize a man whose "job" was promoting make-believe.
S.L. Toddard| 6.11.09 @ 6:22PM
"It should be noted that we allied with one totalitarian state to take out another, and the dictator we sided with was responsible for more deaths than the one we fought."
True indeed. The U.S., Britain and Germany *all* lost WWII in a way - to the USSR. Let's not forget that France and Britain et al declared war on Nazi Germany after Germany invaded Poland, as France and Britain had guaranteed to support Polish independence, and then when the war ended forked over Poland to Stalin - hardly an improvement over Nazi Germany. When people glorify WWII and the "fight for freedom" they'd do well to keep in mind that once the German threat to Western Europe was extinguished, the Allies *surrendered* eastern and central Europe to a bloodthirsty communist dictator, under whose regime they lived miserably, oppressed and *unfree*, for generations. It is known (fittingly) in Eastern Europe as "the Western betrayal."
The "good war"? Not for the millions the Allies betrayed. No, what was "good" about it is that it was the very last *defensive* war - which is to say the last *just* war - we fought. It was *good* because America fought in self-defense, out of self-interest, because America put its interest first, because it was *not* a war fought for ethereal, lofty, abstract ideals - it was fought because it *had to be* - because America was *attacked* - and once America's safety was assured, then "democracy" and "freedom" be damned - we went home and left half of Europe crushed beneath the iron-shod boot of the most evil regime in the history of the world.
Which is all to say that, from a non-interventionist, America-first perspective, i.e. for someone who believes wars should be fought only in defense or in the face of a clear and present danger, WWII was a success for the U.S.
But for a jacobin, neoconservative interventionist perspective - you know, where we send our boys to die to "advance the cause of freedom" and "make the world safe for democracy" and that sort of garbage - it was an utter failure.
Miss America| 6.11.09 @ 6:23PM
While in high school, I had the good fortune to attend a Young Republicans meeting at Mr. Wayne's Encino, Ca. home. Mr. Wayne is one of my heroes on and off screen. Oh boy, couldn't we use a few good men like him today?
Pauley| 6.11.09 @ 6:35PM
SLToddard: Obama Nazi extraordinaire.
John| 6.11.09 @ 6:48PM
Always loved the Duke, and too many of his 150 plus films are always worth watching again.
I remember the paper reporting on his death 30 years ago. The front page story of his passing shared space with the story of the first person, an American, to achieve man-powered flight. Perhaps a small achievement, but it suggested that the American values of independence, self-reliance, and the drive to succeed, all of which were extolled by the Duke, would live on and that John Wayne's exposition of these values, both on film and in life, provided inspiration then and would continue to do so after his death. Thirty years on, Wayne still shines as a beacon of Americanism.
Even so, one of his universally acknowledged greatest films extolled not Americanism so much as something else. That is "The Quiet Man", which was an homage to the culture of ordinary people in Ireland and in which Wayne plays Sean Thornton, an Irish emigrant raised in America who decides to return home to Ireland to make his life. One cannot understate the impact on and importance of this movie to both Irish Americans and the Irish. Perhaps the march of time will dim the appeal of westerns and WWII flicks, but this movie will always stand as one of the great movies about Irish life, fictitious as it is.
"The Quiet Man" was certainly important for me. My Irish immigrant parents saw the movie first run in Times Square while on their honeymoon in NYC in September 1952. Nine months later, I was born. I must always consider the movie as an inspiration for my very existence, and the coincidence of Wayne's date of death with my birthday has always since sealed it for me.
B.Roeder| 6.11.09 @ 6:53PM
My dad took me the movie The Alamo for my tenth birthday. Wayne played Davy Crockett and Crockett was my hero (At least Fess Parker was). After that movie Wayne became my cowboy hero.
You are right, in those days, you knew who the good guys were and the bad guys. Thanks for a great article.
Jim| 6.11.09 @ 7:03PM
He "Talked the Talk, and Walked the Walk". The Shootist was his 'Swan Song'.
S.L. Toddard| 6.11.09 @ 7:30PM
"SLToddard: Obama Nazi extraordinaire."
It's almost cute how simple so many posters here are. The world is divided in half - Good and Evil. Just like professional wrestling! So if someone says something that, however true, one finds unpleasant, well he must be a "Liberal" so one just labels him as that and now that he's in that box he can be ignored.
The problem is, though, that words actually mean things. And the world isn't really *like* professional wrestling (though you'd never know it from reading American Spectator). You think there are two camps - Conservatives and Liberals. And you mistakenly believe yourself a "conservative", and because you disagree with me that makes me a "Liberal". But you're no more conservative than I am an Obama supporter.
I know, I know - I'm speaking over your head. When you grow up and see a bit of the world you'll understand. Hopefully.
S.L. Toddard| 6.11.09 @ 7:31PM
I have to post this again - it's just so perfect!
"I believe in white supremacy until blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. I don't believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people.... The academic community has developed certain tests that determine whether the blacks are sufficiently equipped scholastically.... I don't feel guilty about the fact that five or ten generations ago these people were slaves. Now I'm not condoning slavery. It's just a fact of life, like the kid who gets infantile paralysis and can't play football like the rest of us."
John Wayne
Playboy Magazine
May 1971
Jim O'Brien| 6.11.09 @ 8:53PM
I met John Wayne when he was filming the movie, "The Green Beret" at Fort Benning, GA. He was just as impressive in person as he was on the screen. I never get tired of seeing his movies. He was a solid citizen and true patriot, and we could use a lot more like him right now.
The Duke| 6.11.09 @ 9:16PM
Who's your hero, Toddard? Bruno?
mike in boston| 6.11.09 @ 9:35PM
Big Jake was the best, im only 30 but him as an old-school old man saving the day with his "modern" kids screwing things up is timelss
Ophelia| 6.11.09 @ 10:25PM
SLToddard--the crazy Nazi shooter at the Holocaust Museum is a registered democrat like you.
Just like Reverend Wright, "Them Jews won't let me near him (Obama)." What vicious Anti-Semites you democrats are.
You are the Obama Nazis, after all. Fascist Liberal Nazis--the perfect hate machines.
Richard Baker| 6.12.09 @ 12:19AM
John Wayne represented Americans as we saw ourselves. If you watch his movies that always comes through. The present crop in Hollywood feels aplogetic for being American and that comes through, as well. Seems that too many Americans worry about what the rest of the world thinks of us. Do you think that the Brits, Italians, Chinese, or French care what other countries think of their national character? I, for one, don't care one whit what these other countries think of us. As often as we've had to come in and save these ingrates allows me not to care until the NEXT time they need us.
T.R. Elliott| 6.12.09 @ 12:39AM
John Wayne was an awful wooden actor, a serial polygamist (three marriages, just like Newt, how about them traditional family values), and probably a bit too fond of the drink.
What's so great about that?
Pauley| 6.12.09 @ 2:13AM
Sure, Wayne was human and made mistakes--but at least he wasn't a treasonous perverted weenie like so many of the loser liberals in Hollyweird today.
What a bunch of Bozos populate Hollyweird now.
Ugly, too.
SLToddard is a NAZI TROLL| 6.12.09 @ 2:14AM
SLToddard: Obama Nazi Extraordinaire.
James| 6.12.09 @ 6:43AM
Well these days, I bet you couldn't find one hollywood star that ever served in the military.
They seem to like to play the part, but hate the real deal veterans.
They are a sad lot.
S.L. Toddard| 6.12.09 @ 8:00AM
"SLToddard--the crazy Nazi shooter at the Holocaust Museum is a registered democrat like you."
I'm a registered Republican and have never, in my life, voted for a Democrat. Sorry.
S.L. Toddard| 6.12.09 @ 8:05AM
"Who's your hero, Toddard?"
There are so many. Barry Goldwater. Russell Kirk. George Washington, of course. James Madison, John Adams. Tecumseh. George Patton. John Calhoun. Edmund Burke.
*Actual* heroes - not draft-dodgers who *pretend* to be heroes on a sound stage.
kethry| 6.12.09 @ 9:10AM
My father is a huge John Wayne fan so I grew up watching his movies and still watch them today. I am also a Clint Eastwood fan. The young actors today cannot compare with them.
Daniel Workman| 6.12.09 @ 9:13AM
I believe Wayne had studio contract obligations and used his deferral as a father and sole supporter of his family to stay out of the military to meet those obligations, something he was not happy about. Even John Ford held it against him. But he did the best he could for the troops anyway. Some of Wayne's work was at best propaganda, but his best roles reflected the toughness, honesty and fairness that I believe truly represent what most average Americans are, and want to be. That is why I think he is so revered to this day-Sean Penn's Milk is for sure propaganda, and Harvey Milk in truth was one sorry sob. And Toddard, democracy is worth fighting for.
Devasahayam| 6.12.09 @ 10:19AM
Wasn't the Duke about 34 years old when WW-II began (for the US, 1941/12/07)? I'm sure at that time there was a large (relative to total population) of 18-22 year olds available, and that a 34-year old recruit would have been down a long ways on the shortlist.
As Dan Workman stated, Duke's work was propaganda--but Duke actually WAS a tough fighter (factoids: he had only one lung when he worked "True Grit", and was already dying when he did its sequel "Rooster Cogburn") though calling Harvey Milk as "sorry" is an understatement (as he was the unofficial chief-obfuscator for Jim Jones--as in Jonestown).
S.L. Toddard| 6.12.09 @ 11:30AM
"And Toddard, democracy is worth fighting for."
You must believe, then, that the betrayal of Eastern Europe was a cowardly act, and that America's involvement in WWII was selfish and dishonorable in the extreme.
Richard Baker| 6.12.09 @ 12:07PM
Mr. Toddard:
Sorry to note that your writings bear such malice towards your country. Liberty and Freedom are not academic exercises. Tell me again how many people have been freed from tyranny by socialism /communism? Wayne, for all his personal flaws, deeply loved this country, and regularly showed it. With all your human flaws, and we all have them, can you say the same?
Daniel Workman| 6.12.09 @ 12:30PM
"You must believe, then, that the betrayal of Eastern Europe was a cowardly act, and that America's involvement in WWII was selfish and dishonorable in the extreme."
Yes, the betrayal of Eastern Europe was a cowardly act, but was based on the politics played out by Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin. It was the reality of the defeat of the Germans and where the Allied armies were on the ground at that point. To call the entire effort selfish and dishonorable in the extreme is itself disgraceful. That Eastern Europe fell under the iron curtain is sad tragedy,but Roosevelt and Churchill were not going to go to War with Russia
Brian Sutton| 6.12.09 @ 2:09PM
I grew up watching John Wayne movies. My dad's favorite was The Horse Soldiers. In the pre-VCR, pre-cable, pre-DVD 1960's, we would carefully check our TV Guide each week, watching for ANY John Wayne movies. One time, when The Horse Soldiers was being shown on a Friday night late, late show, we all took a nap after supper so that my dad and mom and brother and sister and I could all stay up to watch that movie. In more recent years, we have pulled out the DVD for my dad on every visit. It is still a great movie...one of many that John Wayne starred in! God bless him!
S.L. Toddard| 6.12.09 @ 2:17PM
"To call the entire effort selfish and dishonorable in the extreme is itself disgraceful"
I agree wholeheartedly, but then again I recognize that America joined the war because she was attacked and was fighting for self preservation. For people who buy into the myth that we were "fighting for freedom" or "democracy", though - it is *they* who must believe it was selfish and dishonorable, for we betrayed so many millions yearning for democracy - indeed we failed to keep free Poland - it was Britain and France's *guarantee* to defend Polish independence that launched them into the war. But, once we were safe, our leaders said "screw democracy - you guys can live in slavery". They were acting out of self interest, period. I consider that noble in and of itself. An interventionist cannot.
S.L. Toddard| 6.12.09 @ 2:20PM
"Sorry to note that your writings bear such malice towards your country."
No apology necessary. Now that you've realized your error just act accordingly - that's enough.
"Tell me again how many people have been freed from tyranny by socialism /communism?"
You mean after the half century of it we abandoned them to?
"Wayne, for all his personal flaws, deeply loved this country, and regularly showed it. With all your human flaws, and we all have them, can you say the same?"
Of course. That's why I refuse to dishonor America by lying about her.
huck| 6.12.09 @ 2:27PM
When war broke out, John Wayne tried to enlist but was rejected because of an old football injury to his shoulder, his age (34), and his status as a married father of four. He flew to Washington to plead that he be allowed to join the Navy but was turned down. So he poured himself into the war effort by making inspirational war films - among them The Fighting Seabees, Back to Bataan and They Were Expendable. To those back home and others around the world he became a symbol of the determined American fighting man.
Missy| 6.12.09 @ 3:07PM
SLToddard--a classic RINO. We don't need more of you weenies, you're just democrat lite.
You can see how well that worked out for us last November.
Daisy| 6.12.09 @ 3:12PM
All of the troll nonsense on this thread is irrelevant--John Wayne was a true American hero--in Hollywood, no less. It used to be the norm.
When I think of the 'men' in Hollywood today I want to cry--no wonder our country is in such a mess.
Helen Donnelly| 6.12.09 @ 3:19PM
Seek,
Guess what, this is America and we are actually allowed to have our own opinions and voice them. I don't happen to like what is coming out of Hollywood these days. If you do, fine, but I'm not sure how you have determined that I don't see or deal with "actual films". I'll wager that I've seen quite a few more than you think. I happen to disagree with your view point, but you seem quite defensive, as seen in your numerous comments in this site. Relax buddy, not everyone has to be on the same page.
Craig| 6.12.09 @ 6:25PM
He pretended for a living. What a hero.
America pretends. Pretends it is Christian.
God says, "Persecuted, we suffer it" 1 Corinthians 4:12
America says, "persecuted, we kill it" The United States has ALWAYS taught the opposite of Christ!
The Muslims are coming. They are going to torture, and they are going to kill.
Will they meet Jesus Christ, or John Wayne (the pretender) inside your door?
Serve the TRUTH, the LIVING WORD, JESUS CHRIST,
Craig
Michael| 6.12.09 @ 8:46PM
Craig,
No one here is worshiping John Wayne. He is simply receiving due credit for a role he played in history. He never claimed to be devine, or perfect. I met him. Have you? He didn't act high and mighty. But although I was only nine, he showed the same respect to a kid that society showed him. I have a friend who was half black and half mexican who was his neighbor, and she said he was a friend to all without a drop of racism!
I also know Jesus. When John Wayne was dying of cancer, there happened to be a large prayer meeting at our church. We really prayed earnestly for his salvation. You condemn John Wayne, and America in the same manner. What are you doing to see this country restored? God holds his people responsible for the welfare of a nation. (2 Chron 7:14, 1 Tim 2:1-4, Ezekiel 22:30) Are you laboring for the good of some 300 million souls in need of the savior? You have an oppurtunity to call on God for a badly needed revival. When you stand before God, will you have sowed seeds for a revival that will change a nation, or seeds of bitterness and condemnation revealing a Jesus no one would wish to know?
Walt| 6.12.09 @ 8:52PM
As a retired Seabee, John Wayne was the third toast given at our formal officer dinners.
Our heros reflect how we view the world around us. There are too many special scenes to list them all but the one in True Grit where he charges the bad guys firing his pistol and rifle says it all.
Michael| 6.12.09 @ 8:53PM
Well, I originally wanted to say that I was fortunate enough to meet John Wayne when I was a kid, and will never forget the respect that he showed to me and my family, even though we weren't famous, or priviliged. He is missed as are many of that generation.
Missy| 6.12.09 @ 9:33PM
Craig, John Wayne was a terrific actor and a great guy. He was an entertainer whose movies made us forget our troubles for a while.
In short, he brought joy to others--what have you done for other people lately?
Loosen up, please.
Richard Baker| 6.12.09 @ 9:46PM
Stoddard:
If this country is SO evil and bad, why do you stay? If you wish, I'll pay your First Class airfare to anywhere you wish with the proviso that you have to STAY. You don't anger me one whit. I feel sorry for someone who hates his homeland so, no matter which country.
Walt| 6.12.09 @ 9:59PM
One more comment:
Captain Nathan Brittles in She Wore A Yellow Ribbon: "Don't Apology, It's a Sign of Weakness".
John II| 6.12.09 @ 11:23PM
My dear Toddard: I have waited a few days before responding to your responses, although I must admit that final exams have keep me distracted. But I wish now to respond, in the spirit of what Clinton Rossiter long ago called "the thankless persuasion." In short, I don't expect you necessarily ever to read this, there being greater and more pressing issues already down the road, but I respond thanklessly nonetheless. (There really IS an element of the romantic in conservatism, broadly speaking.)
I believe your contempt for John Wayne is churlish. Everything you say about the Duke is true, and everything you say about the compromised Americano effort during World War II is true as well.
But there is true, and then there is Truth. For example, it is true that John Wayne was something of low-octane good-old-boy football player and Rotary type in his personal life (he went through more than one marriage and, hell, he once said that he hated horses!) But the roles Wayne played with total conviction in such staggeringly apropos flicks as "The Searchers" and "True Grit" and "Tall in the Saddle" (I'm jumping all over the place in my random examples, stretching through almost four decades) captured the magic of what it means to be American.
Of course, it means being cynical too, but that aspect of the Americano character (amply on display in your postings) is, arguably, of less import than the deeper texture of the Americano character.
Consider. The following Hollywoody icons were John Wayne fans: Ward Bond, John Ford, Montgomery Clift, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda (I'm not kidding--she loved him!), Katharine Hepburn, Pedro Armanderiz, Clint Eastwood, Roscoe Lee Brown, Kirk Douglas, Jimmy Stewart, John Carradine, Woody Strode, Howard Hawkes, Andrew McLaughlen, Lauren Bacall, Groucho Marx, Mickey Rooney, Patricia Neal . . . well, I could go on, but hey, do you get the point: the only people in the universe who DIDN'T like John Wayne were either commies or fascists: everyone in between LOVED him.
Watch "The Quiet Man," Toddard and foreswear the cynicism.
You have received my impeccable advice. So let it be written, so let it be done. (Yul Brynner, 1956--and Brynner loved John Wayne!)
Angel| 6.13.09 @ 12:49AM
The Quiet Man is still one of my favorite movies of all time. John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara were gorgeous together.
Damn, I love that movie--it's timeless.
Only an imbecile dislikes the Duke.
S.L. Toddard| 6.13.09 @ 11:03AM
John II - I don't have anything against John Wayne, really. Not even for his being a white supremacist - you can't really condemn a man for being a man of his time. I take issue, though, with a rich Hollywood actor - a man who pretends for a living in exchange for lucre - being glorified as "perhaps America's number one patriot".
The claim is obscene on its face.
CC Ryder| 6.13.09 @ 2:53PM
You're such an a$$hole. Go away, troll.
Richard Baker| 6.13.09 @ 5:44PM
Walt:
Agree with the Nathan Brittles quote. The problem is that we have too many Americans who exhibit that particular weakness. Oh, if Wayne was a white supremacist then why did he help Woody Strode, among many others?
John II| 6.13.09 @ 10:14PM
Just once--JUST ONCE I'd like to get the last word in. Well, I waited long enough, so let's try again.
Toddard--gosh dangit argle grargle (sorry about the strong language, but when I get upset I sometimes lose control)--John Wayne WAS America's numero uno Patriot. Not that he did anything more than any other patriots to deserve the honor--but THE POINT IS (you're always making me shout, Toddard): All the other patriots WANT him to to the numero uno patriot. Hell, I'm a patriot, and I came a lot closer than John Wayne ever did to getting my ass blown off. But don't you see: John Wayne's heart, his roles, his demeanor positively exhibited what I had a brief taste of when I almost got my ass blown off. Don't you understand the symbolism, Toddard?
Yes--you do! I'm certain you do or you wouldn't be ranting on this line with the rest of us. I demand satisfaction. I demand that you crack a bottle of, say, Longboard (a cheap Hawaiian beer that's pretty smooth and that John Wayne would approve of) and watch "The Quiet Man." Don't respond to me again, Toddard, until you have something useful to say about "The Quiet Man."
Why am I given these tasks? Why couldn't I have been a lofty member of the financial community, expert at short selling and other artful dodges? Why am I merely a John Wayne fan?
Richard Baker| 6.13.09 @ 11:42PM
John II:
The problem is that since the '60s we've had the most self-absorbed and indulged generation endlessly whining about everything under the sun. The Baby Boomer motto is"Take care of my responsibilities, raise my kids, so I can go play". They don't want to grow up and be adults. John Wayne was an adult and the '60s generation has hated him because he represented BEING an adult. Did he have flaws? Yes, of course, but he didn't go on TV and whine about them looking for someone to kiss his arse and tell him that he was ok, regardless. The Baby Boomers are giving narcissism a bad name. Oh yes, I was born in 1952.
Angel| 6.14.09 @ 3:25AM
John II--don't waste your time or energy on stupid troll Toddard. Just pity him because he's not a sweet romantic with a great big heart like you. ;)
Watch those generalizations, Mr. Baker--many of us Boomers are salt of the earth folks who've gone to the mat for God, Family and Country.
I won't let those filthy, rotten smelling, anything goes hippies speak for me or for the multitudes of good Boomers I know and love. Including you!
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Richard Baker| 6.16.09 @ 3:12PM
Angel:
Beg forgiveness. It's just that so many of the Baby Boomers ARE as I described. Sad statement to be able to make on a Generation, isn't it? This is what our Fathers and Grandfathers fought the Nazis/Japanese for?
Angel| 6.17.09 @ 5:03PM
My older brother was drafted out of Graduate School where he was working on his PHD in chemistry. He was able to finish his tour of duty in Vietnam even though he was nearly killed in a Vietcong ambush; later, he was spat on when he returned to the States. Sadly, he never did get his PHD.
So, yes, in answer to your question: This is what MY father, grandfather AND brother fought for, all good men who put their lives on the line for their family and country.
Stereotypes are dangerous because they are often wrong and unfair. Just visit the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington and you'll see the seemingly endless number of names etched into the black granite stone of the young men in the Boomer generation who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. I'd prefer to think of these courageous young men as emblematic of the Boomer generation--not the loser hippies. Don't you think they deserve that much respect and appreciation from us?
Think before you demonize an entire generation.
Michael| 6.17.09 @ 8:10PM
Angel... Well Said! With two sons who served in the Marines in Iraq, I am fortunate to see the same type of men in todays armed forces that were spoken of in John Waynes movies. I think he would have been pround....
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