A custom image of John Wayne wearing a cowboy hat against a background with question marks
The Big Picture The Western genre is one of the most popular in film history, and has been since the early days of silent cinema. However, Western films first began to emerge in earnest towards the middle of the 20th century thanks to the popularity of well-known movie stars who became synonymous with the genre. Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Glenn Ford, James Garner, and Alan Ladd all had their fans, but no actors came to dominate the genre quite like John Wayne.
Release Date March 2, 1939 Director John Ford Cast John Wayne , Andy Devine , John Carradine Runtime 1 hr 36 min Why Is John Wayne Called "The Duke"? While it was a name that would come to dominate the industry, “Wayne” wasn’t the iconic Western actor’s birth name.
Related John Wayne Completely Ignored the ‘True Grit’ Novel for Its Sequel Katharine Hepburn and the Western icon did their best with this one. Wayne would often play grim and brooding figures, with the character of Major Ethan Edwards in The Searchers becoming one of the most infamous anti-heroes in cinematic history. However, Wayne’s nickname of “The Duke” suggested that he had a sense of humor to him.
Wayne’s career was hit with another hurdle when his first starring role in the 1930 Western The Big Trail failed to take off with critics and audiences. He subsequently starred in a series of “B” movies throughout the decade that weren't reflective of his more nuanced acting roles. However, Wayne’s career took off thanks to his partnership with the legendary filmmaker John Ford.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Before John Wayne Took on Westerns, He Fought a Sea Monster in This FilmJordan Todoruk is a writer from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He studied Screenwriting at the Toronto Film School. In 2019, He wrote and produced his first short film, The Mechanics Of A Nightmare. He is a cinephile and lover of literature.
Read more »
John Wayne’s Funding of This Western Practically Bankrupted HimMichael John Petty is a Senior Features Writer for Collider who loves to spend his days writing, in fellowship with his church, and enjoying everyday life with his wife and daughter.
Read more »
10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching John Wayne's Western MoviesStephen Holland is a multimedia journalist from Sligo, Ireland. Previously a reporter with The Irish Independent, he has experience covering a wide range of news and possesses a deep passion for everything related to movies, TV, entertainment, and pop culture.
Read more »
John Wayne Gacy's former attorney reveals untold truths of infamous serial killer in new bookThirty years ago, the infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy met his demise through lethal injection. At the time, he had a young 28-year-old attorney who vehemently opposed the death penalty and endeavored to prevent Gacy's execution.
Read more »
John Wayne Made a Quick Appearance in This Popular TV Western SeriesMichael John Petty is a Senior Features Writer for Collider who loves to spend his days writing, in fellowship with his church, and enjoying everyday life with his wife and daughter.
Read more »
The Western That Harrison Ford Took Over From John WayneMichael John Petty is a Senior Features Writer for Collider who loves to spend his days writing, in fellowship with his church, and enjoying everyday life with his wife and daughter.
Read more »