John Wayne: American
“My hope and prayer is that everyone know and love our country for what she really is and what she stands for.”
― John Wayne
John Wayne. A name that is familiar and beloved in many households across our country, and is synonymous with America, patriotism, manhood, courage, true grit, and everything dear to the American way of life. He is well known not only for his phenomenal career as a legendary movie star, but also for his deep and unwavering love for his country. He is arguably one of the most respected and venerated men in American history, and as we near the 117th anniversary of his birthday, it is only fitting that we take a moment to remember his life and legacy.
John Wayne (or Marion Michael Morrison as he was formally known) was born on May 26, 1907, in Winterset, Iowa to Clyde and Mary Morrison. His father was a pharmacist, but his business ventures failed to provide adequate financial support for his family, and they often struggled to make ends meet (Dunn, C.). When John Wayne was four years old, his family moved to the west coast due to his father’s failing health, and eventually, after ranching for a short time outside of the Mohave desert (Musilli, 1989), they settled in Glendale, California (Dunn, C.). John Wayne grew up with a family dog named “Duke,” and was dubbed with the same name at a very young age, a nickname that he would go on to bear so famously for the rest of his life (Goldman, M.).
The hardships John Wayne and his family faced helped to instill in him a very independent mindset and strong drive to succeed in life. He went on to excel greatly in his education and sports during high school, and earned a scholarship that would enable him to attend higher education at USC. He had originally wished to attend the Naval Academy, however his family lacked the political connections that would enable his acceptance. Unfortunately, an injury led to John Wayne losing his football scholarship to USC, so he began working part-time as a prop man to help pay his way through school (Goldman, M.).
“When the road looks rough ahead, remember the 'Man upstairs’ and the word HOPE. Hang onto both and 'tough it out’”.
— John Wayne
In 1926, John Wayne met the legendary director John Ford, and their growing friendship led to him eventually working at movie studios as an extra and stuntman. In 1930, John Ford recommended him to a famous director named Raoul Walsh for his movie, “The Big Trail.” Walsh went on to cast him for lead role, and it was was on the set of The Big Trail that he was given the name that he would make so famous — John Wayne (JohnWayne.com). Unfortunately, the film was somewhat of a box-office flop, but, notwithstanding, it gave him his official start in the movie business (Goldman, M.). In the several years that followed, John Wayne performed in over 70 films, including many B-westerns, perfecting his skills and acting style (JohnWayne.com). During this time, he began to develop his mannerisms, trademark “rolling gait,” and horsemanship. Finally, in 1938, John Ford selected John Wayne to star in his film, Stagecoach. It proved to be a major box-office success, and at last, after years of diligent and relentless toil, John Wayne was transformed overnight from an unknown B-actor to a movie star (Goldman, M.).
Over the course of his 50-year career, John Wayne stared in nearly 200 films (playing the lead role in 140) (J.W.E.), and also worked as a director and producer (Dunn, C.). By the 1950s, he had reached the box office top ten poll, a position that he would continue to maintain for over 20 years (JohnWayne.com). He was fairly particular about the roles he played, stating, “I want to play a real man in all my films, and I define manhood simply: Men should be tough, fair and courageous, never petty, never looking for a fight, but never backing down from one either (J.W.E.).” He is probably most well known for his westerns, and went on to make 84 during his career, some of the most notable of which include Red River (1948), Hondo (1953), The Searchers (1956), McLintock! (1963), True Grit (1969) (which won him his academy award), and The Shootist (1976). He had a great love for the old west, and was greatly inspired by the history of America’s frontier and pioneer days, and the many brave souls who were willing to face untold hardships to tame its wild and vast spaces (Goldman, M.). In addition to his westerns, other notable films of John Wayne’s career include Wake of the Red Witch (1948), She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), The Quiet Man (1952), The High and the Mighty (1954), and Hatari! (1962).
“Give the American people a good cause, and there's nothing they can't lick.”
— John Wayne
One of the greatest passions of John Wayne’s life was his desire to make a movie about the battle of the Alamo. He was greatly moved by the history of the Texan’s stand and great sacrifice for freedom, and sought to create a film that would commemorate and honor their legacy. It was a picture that was over 20 years in the making (Goldman, M.), and which he believed in so deeply that he undertook the massive task of directing, producing, and staring in the picture himself, even ultimately mortgaging his home and several vehicles to help with funds (Guziak, M.). Though, in the end, The Alamo’s profits left him with barely enough money to pay off his investors and failed have the major impact he hoped it would (Goldman, M.), it has gone on to influence and inspire Americans for generations, and is considered in the hearts of many to be one of one of the greatest and most patriotic classics in cinematic history.
John Wayne never served in the US Armed forces, and though he attempted to join several times, it is said that he was ultimately turned down due to his age, his large family, and an old injury (Musilli, 1989). It was something that he would regret for the rest of his life, and he did his utmost to serve his country as a civilian in any way he could. He participated in USO tours during WWII and the Vietnam War, and in many cases, at the great risk of his own personal safety. In several instances during these tours, he was subjected to targeted enemy fire, but he remained undaunted, and continued in his efforts to bring cheer to America’s fighting troops overseas (Goldman, M.). After he returned from his tours to the United States, John Wayne regularly corresponded with the troops he had met at the fighting front, always taking time to respond to their letters, and even providing financial assistance to those in need (J.W.E.). He also made many war movies to promote the US Armed forces, the most famous of which include The Flying Tigers (1942), Sands of Iwo Jima (1949), The Longest Day (1962), In Harm’s Way (1965) and The Green Berets (1968). His portrayals of the American soldier onscreen, together with his active support and advocacy on behalf of US troops greatly endeared him to America’s fighting men, and earned him the longstanding respect of military institutions and veteran organizations to this very day (Goldman, M.).
“There's right and there's wrong. Y'gotta do one or the other. You do the one and you’re living. You do the other and you may be walking around, but you're dead as a beaver hat.”
― John Wayne (in the Alamo)
Above all his other accomplishments, John Wayne was a proud and unashamed American. He loved his country deeply, and was very outspoken about his support of traditional American and conservative values. He was also very vocal about his grave concerns regarding the advance of socialism and communism, and strongly opposed the infiltration of communism in Hollywood, culture and government, so much so that it is purported that key communist leaders such as Joseph Stalin sought to have him assassinated (Lyon, P.). He was actively involved in politics, helping to support Ronald Reagan for California Governor (Musilli, 1989), and participating in election campaigns for Dwight Eisenhower (J.W.E.), Berry Goldwater (Musilli, 1989) and Richard Nixon. He also spoke at the Republican National Convention in 1968, and went on to meet and corresponded with US presidents such as Nixon, Carter, Ford, and other elected representatives to voice his views as an American citizen on political issues and policy decisions (J.W.E.). Despite the fact that he was unapologetic about his beliefs and loved a good debate, John Wayne was a big proponent of civility and respect towards those of differing opinions. Though he certainly had his share of enemies, he also had many friends and admirers who, despite being staunch liberals and having many ideological and political differences, ultimately came to love and respect him (Goldman, M.).
John Wayne was very loyal and devoted to his family and his seven children. Though he went through two divorces, he still maintained close relationships with his children, and did his utmost to keep his family together. He loved to take them on location with him, even securing parts for them in several of his films. He also took them on many memorable vacations in his beloved yacht, the Wild Goose, for expeditions along the coasts, or traveled with them to Arizona for family reunions and cattle sales at his 26 Bar ranch. John Wayne did his best to instill and teach the values he had learned to cherish and represent to the American people to his children, and imparted many invaluable life lessons to them which they, in turn, continue to pass on to others to this day (Goldman, M.).
In 1964, John Wayne was diagnosed with lung cancer, and had one of his lungs removed as a result. People across the America and the globe wrote letters to him, sending their well wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery to the man who had so endeared himself to them (J.W.E.). Unlike many movie actors, John Wayne was very kind and welcoming to his fans, often stating that, they were the ones that, “Gave him his career (Goldman, M.).” He responded to as many fan letters as he could, and would welcome each fan he met with his friendly demeanor and kindness (Goldman, M.). After his surgery, he went back to his work with the same vigor and determination as before, continuing to make and star in many major motion pictures, touring to visit U.S. troops overseas, and maintaining his active political involvement. As the years passed however, his health went into steady decline, until ultimately, in 1979, he was diagnosed with an advanced stomach cancer. On April 9, John Wayne attended what would become his last public appearance at the Oscar Academy Awards. He was forced to return to the hospital, shortly thereafter, and on June 11, 1979, he passed away, at the age of 72 (Rochman, S.). His last wish to his children was that they would use his name to help fight cancer (Reagan Foundation). To honor his last wishes and legacy, the Wayne family founded the John Wayne Cancer Foundation in 1985, which seeks to fund cancer research, education, awareness drives, and programs to improve cancer patient outcomes (J.W.C.F.).
Several weeks before his passing, Senator Barry Goldwater introduced a bill to the United States Congress to award John Wayne the Congressional Gold Medal (which is awarded to civilians that have had a major impact on American history or culture). The bill was ultimately approved and signed, and the metal created just days before he passed away, later to be presented to his family on March 6, 1980. Many of John Wayne’s dear friends and admirers came to testify in favor of the award, the most notable of which being one of his dearest friends and former costar, Maureen O’Hara. When testifying before congress, she beautifully and eloquently put into words the sentiments that Americans of all ages from across the country felt about the great man who had made such an amazing impact on his country. “To the people of the world…” She stated, “John Wayne is the United States of America. He is what they believe it to be. He is what they hope it will be. And he is what they hope it will always be.” She closed her remarks by requesting that his medal should read what he had come to embody and represent to all who loved him: John Wayne, American (Goldman, M.).
“True Grit is making a decision and standing by it, doing what must be done. No moral man can have peace of mind if he leaves undone what he knows he should have done.”
– John Wayne
John Wayne’s life and legacy left a long and lasting influence on America and the globe. A man of humble beginnings, he was able to achieve the American dream, and became the ultimate personification of patriotism, masculinity, Western heritage, and America. On and off screen, he was not afraid to stand up and speak out for what was right, even when it cost him. In a world of increasing upheaval and turmoil, where the values and traditions that our nation was founded upon, together with the God-ordained role of manhood face heavy attack, the need for good, Godly men of character, courage, and true grit is more needed now than ever before. It is because of this that John Wayne still continues to touch the lives of so many today, and will continue to do so for generations to come. A God-sent gift to America, John Wayne is, and always will be, an American hero.
References:
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Dunn, C. (n.d.) Act of Action. Retrieved from: https://www.johnwayne.com/journal/duke/art-of-action/
Dunn, C. (n.d.) John Wayne, by the Decades: 1960s—Citizen Wayne. Retrieved from: https://www.johnwayne.com/journal/duke/john-wayne-by-the-decades-1960s-citizen-wayne/
JohnWayne.com. (n.d.) John Wayne’s Career. Retrieved from: https://www.johnwayne.com/about/john-waynes-career/
Guziak, M. (2011, April 15.) John Wayne and The Alamo. Retrieved from: https://www.thefencepost.com/news/john-wayne-and-the-alamo/
Rochman, Sue. (n.d.) The Duke’s Final Showdown. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20120117202349/http://www.crmagazine.org/archive/fall2008/Pages/TheDuke'sFinalShowdown.aspx?Page=4
Lyon, P. (2023, June 15.) Did Joseph Stalin Really Send KGB Agents to Kill John Wayne? Retrieved from: https://collider.com/john-wayne-joseph-stalin-kgb/
John Wayne Cancer Foundation (J.W.C.F.). (n.d.) About Us: Our Story is His Story. Retrieved from: https://johnwayne.org/pages/about-us
Reagan & Friends [Reagan Foundation]. (2021, August 18). John Wayne [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdJLS7Pbip4&t=211s
Musilli, J. (1989). John Wayne: Standing Tall [Film]. Camera Three.
John Wayne Enterprises (J.W.E.). (2015.) Duke in His Own Words: Curated from His Private Archive. Media Lab Books.
Goldman, M. (2013.) John Wayne: The Genuine Article. Insight Editions.
goodreads.com (g.r.) (n.d.) John Wayne: Quotes: Quotable Quote. Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/210548-my-hope-and-prayer-is-that-everyone-know-and-love
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Image Credit(s):
Poster image from the film Big Jake. Batjac Productions
Sherman, G. (1971). Big Jake [Film]. Cinema Center Films & Batjac Productions. Retrieved from: https://filmparadiset.se/wp-content/grand-media/image/Big_Jake_04.jpg