I get that he was a big deal back in the day, but IMO he’s borderline unwatchable in these modern times.
Convince me otherwise.
Convince me otherwise.
Let’s talk John Wayne
- Thread starter Formerly Rockymtnole
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I haven't seen one of his movies in years.
CSB.
CSB.
He’s an American treasure. Keep in mind he cranked out a lot of movies, so some were awful, but in his prime under the direction of John Ford and Howard Hawks his movies were as good as they get. Sometimes sexist, sometimes racist, he countered with some surprisingly good roles for women and minorities in his movies.
A lot of the later years were needlessly political and poor movies when judged in modern times, but entertaining for the era.
A lot of the later years were needlessly political and poor movies when judged in modern times, but entertaining for the era.
Watch the video, then get back to me and tell me he wouldn't be a MAGA
As a kid, I thought it was cool that he was born a short distance from my hometown. As an adult, it became apparent that he was another Hollywood shill with little to say but a big platform to say it. He had some OK movies, but he's about as cowboy as I am. Idolized far beyond his contribution imo.
I’d argue a good actor in those roles would’ve made those movies better (and they’d hold up better today).
Movies like The Searchers, The Quiet Man, Red River and Stagecoach are as good as they get and the guy in almost every scene of them is John Wayne.
Trivia-he was very bright-a high level chess player who enjoyed taking anybody on while on the set.
Trivia-he was very bright-a high level chess player who enjoyed taking anybody on while on the set.
The post isn't about whether Wayne would be MAGA. It's about Wayne being unwatchable.
If you'd had a different actor you wouldn't have gotten the best scripts, best production staff, and the incredible supporting actors that Wayne drew into productions.
He wasn't the best actor in the world, but he made great movies for the most part.
The Searchers is a top 5 western but in general, I agree that he’s tough to watch now. I never really cared for his work beyond the searchers though
John Wayne is an Iowa legend.
**** off with that shit, OP.
In all seriousness, how much entertainment from “back in the day” is watchable today? I mean, in those times, you had ten white guys on the floor hooping. Who would pay to watch that shit?
Lol. He’s exactly who came to mind in the process of me writing up that semi facetious post. 😜
I had the pleasure of spending 2 weeks with John and the crew while filming The Green Beret in Georgia and N. Car. in early 68. I was a member of the crew on a USAF C-130 that was assigned to JW. I met and spent time with Aldo Raye, Jim Hutton, David Jansen, those boys sure liked their beer. A steak dinner was enjoyed by all after the filming was finished.
Would he had been as big of a star if he used his birth name instead? Marion Morrison doesn't exactly exude toughness.
There it is a liberal trash idiot can’t stop his Trump butt plug in long.
John Wayne was a good actor, and he had a handful of great performances and truly great movies. He also achieved an almost mythical status compared to his actual acting chops. I personally thought he was great at being what the then ticket buying public wanted out of a John Wayne movie, and I suspect once he became a huge star he probably got pigeon-holed into a LOT of movies where that's all that was asked.
I don't believe that's a good reason to necessarily knock him for that because Hollywood was a LOT different back then compared to now.
There's one common theme about the movies of his I like the most, and that's the fact that movies such as Rio Bravo, The Searchers, True Grit, Red River, etc...usually you see a good to great director and lots of quality co-stars. Generally speaking, the better the surrounding cast and crew, the better he was and the better the movie was. I don't believe that's any different than other stars of his era such as Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, Gary Cooper, etc.
I don't believe that's a good reason to necessarily knock him for that because Hollywood was a LOT different back then compared to now.
There's one common theme about the movies of his I like the most, and that's the fact that movies such as Rio Bravo, The Searchers, True Grit, Red River, etc...usually you see a good to great director and lots of quality co-stars. Generally speaking, the better the surrounding cast and crew, the better he was and the better the movie was. I don't believe that's any different than other stars of his era such as Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, Gary Cooper, etc.
I loved a lot of his movies growing up. I still enjoy them. He did get tarnished for me as I got older once I learned of his politics and some of his beliefs.
More often than playing a unique, tailored role, he played the "John Wayne type". No nonsense, rugged and somewhat principled but still human. That worked for millions of viewers for 40 years.
I'm not gonna try to convince OP of anything. But modern movie-goers probably want characters who are more nuanced or whimsical or sensitive or superhuman or more ____(fill in blank)______.
So, yeah, all about expectations
I'm not gonna try to convince OP of anything. But modern movie-goers probably want characters who are more nuanced or whimsical or sensitive or superhuman or more ____(fill in blank)______.
So, yeah, all about expectations
The intro part about Marlon Brando (before John Wayne portion) got me on a google search. The tape for that episode is gone, but here is Brando the next time he's on the Tonight Show and it's pretty funny reminiscing about the moment. Also Brando goes into his thought on MLK's death. I didn't realize Brando was such an activist.
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There was once a school of thought that giving a boy a "girl's" name was a way to force him to be tough guy to compensate.
That’s awesome and I bet was not an easy find! Wonder why it’s in black & white though?
