John Wayne
John Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison, Robert was later changed to Mitchell. He got the nickname ‘Duke’ from his dog named Duke. He liked it better than Marion. Really? He was a good enough football player to get a ride to USC. A body surfing injury ended his football scholarship and thus college. A USC football fan, Tom Mix convinced John Ford to take him on as a prop boy and extra. Wayne got to know a friend of Mix and eventually admitted his trademark walk, talk and demeanor were imitated from Wyatt Earp.
Duke Morrison got his first lead role in The Big Trail (’30). The producer and director didn’t like his name. They changed it to John Wayne. For the money, Morrison decided he liked it. For most of the next ten years Wayne had a hectic run in B Westerns. Over the course of his career, John Wayne starred in one hundred forty two films, eighty three of them Westerns, thanks to fifty plus B Western oaters. Some of the more notable you may recall from those Saturday Matinees include Blue Steel (’34), ‘Neath Arizona Skies (’34), Westward Ho (’35), Hell Town (’37) and Stagecoach (’39). Don’t feel bad if you don’t remember. Wayne wore a white hat. The bad guys didn’t. Good triumphed over evil and John got the girl.
John Ford and Wayne reunited in 1939 the classic film Stagecoach. The film was a box office smash that vaulted John Wayne’s career to marquis features. World War II came along to interrupt the party. Initially Wayne was exempted from service due to his age, thirty-four. Under contract with Republic Pictures at the time, Wayne sought permission to enlist. The studio refused not wanting to lose their best box office draw.
Eventually he sought a position in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), predecessor to the CIA. OSS Commander, William ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan offered Wayne an appointment; but Duke never received the offer letter, delivered to the address of Wayne’s estranged wife. Disappointment over the fact he did not serve haunted John Wayne for the rest of his life. Some say the regret fueled the fervor of his patriotism.
Next Week: John Wayne, part II.
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
Duke Morrison got his first lead role in The Big Trail (’30). The producer and director didn’t like his name. They changed it to John Wayne. For the money, Morrison decided he liked it. For most of the next ten years Wayne had a hectic run in B Westerns. Over the course of his career, John Wayne starred in one hundred forty two films, eighty three of them Westerns, thanks to fifty plus B Western oaters. Some of the more notable you may recall from those Saturday Matinees include Blue Steel (’34), ‘Neath Arizona Skies (’34), Westward Ho (’35), Hell Town (’37) and Stagecoach (’39). Don’t feel bad if you don’t remember. Wayne wore a white hat. The bad guys didn’t. Good triumphed over evil and John got the girl.
John Ford and Wayne reunited in 1939 the classic film Stagecoach. The film was a box office smash that vaulted John Wayne’s career to marquis features. World War II came along to interrupt the party. Initially Wayne was exempted from service due to his age, thirty-four. Under contract with Republic Pictures at the time, Wayne sought permission to enlist. The studio refused not wanting to lose their best box office draw.
Eventually he sought a position in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), predecessor to the CIA. OSS Commander, William ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan offered Wayne an appointment; but Duke never received the offer letter, delivered to the address of Wayne’s estranged wife. Disappointment over the fact he did not serve haunted John Wayne for the rest of his life. Some say the regret fueled the fervor of his patriotism.
Next Week: John Wayne, part II.
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
date
newest »
newest »
You're right about the hats for sure, Peg! Hope all is well with the two of you. Your ears must be burning. We had dinner last night with Don and Penny and your name came up. Say hi to Jim for us.
Say Hi to Trish!