Posts by Wayne

Quote from Paula

The most startling aspect of the event was that my husband now wants to watch The Quiet Man! He mentioned to two friends I was at the John Wayne birthday celebration, and one told him The Quiet Man was his late mother's favorite film (his mom had passed away just last week) and the other one started going on and on about what a great film The Quiet Man was. So now my husband, who up to now has shown no interest in John Wayne or John Ford (he knows Maureen O'Hara from Miracle on 34th Street) wants to see The Quiet Man. In fact, he even watched Rio Grande with me last night as it was John Wayne's and Maureen O'Hara's first film together and Ford had to make it in order for Republic to finance The Quiet Man. He liked it -- can't wait to see how he reacts to The Quiet Man. ;).

Congrats, Paula--looks like you've swung another person over to the Wayne side. Did he come with you to the Birthday Celebration? If not, he may join you next time!

Quote from Paula

they were just projecting the DVD but it was still nice to see on the big screen.Also saw The Wings of Eagles (also DVD).

Actually it was the Blu-ray, which looks marvelous!

Wasn't the swing dance a blast?

The Museum Benefit Dinner was extraordinary! Lilting harp music by Spenser Hardin during the social hour, as folks pondered the silent auction items. Maureen came alive as the guests applauded when she entered, and was her feisty self. Irish singer Catherine O'Connell brought tears to many an eye. Aissa Wayne presented Maureen with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad's official Proclamation declaring May 25th as Maureen O'Hara Day in Iowa. Garrisons ran a live auction of about a dozen items, including a shirt worn bt Duke in The Cowboys and a jacket he wore in Hellfighters. Maureen spoke, and then the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band played several rousing tunes, joined on several numbers by championship Irish dancers the Fabulous McKay Sisters. Lots of other stuff going on too. There's more info and photos on http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/news.html

WOW! John Wayne's daughter Aissa assisted Mareen O'Hara today to turn the first ceremonial shovelful for the new John Wayne Birthplace Museum next to the John Wayne statue today at the 2013 John Wayne Birthday Celebration "Salute to Maureen O’Hara."

Hundreds of enthusiastic supporters gathered for the Western Swing Dance this evening at the John Wayne Birthday Celebration--joined by Maureen herself and her family!

Les Gilliam and his Silver Lake Band got enthusiastic dancers young and old out on the dance floor. A great time was had by all!

Just wait for tomorrow's festivities!

She's heeeeeeeer . . . Maureen is "in da house"!

The Birthplace Museum Benefit Dinner for this Saturday is SOLD OUT with over 800 attending from all over the world!

If you still want to come, there is a waiting list; call the Birthplace toll-free at (877) 462-1044 (US, Canada, Caribbean).

Maureen will also be attending the Western Swing Dance on Friday, May 24th. Tickets are only $25 for that event, and Smokehaus Stockade will have dinner available. Choice of Smoked Brisket or Pulled Pork (sandwich or wrap), beans, chips and drink for $8.00 while supplies last. It's going to be a great time!

Just to give you a sampling of some of the items for the Auction hosted by John Wayne's daughter Aissa at the Museum Benefit Dinner on Saturday, May 25th: A giant 80"x115" poster for McLintock!, a two night stay for two at the Ashford Castle in Ireland, one of the filming locations for The Quiet Man, a full-size replica of the weathervane from McLintock!, a beautiful framed oil portrait of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, an actual shirt worn by John Wayne in The Cowboys, numerous pieces of jewelry from the exclusive Maureen O’Hara Newbridge Silverware collection, and many, many more!

Right now over 650 have made reservations for the Dinner. Make yours now and help us to build the ONLY museum in the world dedicated to John Wayne. Visit http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/birthday or call toll-free (877) 4621-1044 before they're all gone!

Hey, Western Fans! If you'd like a chance to meet Maureen O'Hara but are unable to make the Museum Benefit Dinner on Sat. May 25th, join her at the Western Swing Dance on Fri. May 24th here in Winterset. Reservations are only $25, and it's part of the John Wayne Birthday Celebration Salute to Maureen O'Hara. Get your reservations at http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/birthday or call (877) 462-1044 toll-free. Get yours NOW before they're all gone!

In case you were wondering about the John Wayne Birthplace Museum Benefit Dinner menu, we're serving a sumptuous meal of your choice of carved prime rib or three-cheese encrusted chicken over penne pasta marinara; baked potato with butter, sour cream and chives; green bean Almandine, tossed salad; Ciabatta rolls, and assorted decorated cupcakes.

My mouth is watering already . . .

Our Tribute to Maureen O'Hara is now less than a month away. With well over 530 reservations already for the John Wayne Birthplace Museum Benefit Dinner where Maureen will speak, you'd better get yours now before they are all gone!

This is Maureen O'Hara's public farewell to her legions of fans, and she'll discuss her life-long friendship with John Wayne. Proceeds from the Dinner and auction benefit the John Wayne Birthplace Museum.

Visit http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/birthday for more information or to make reservations, or call the John Wayne Birthplace toll-free (877) 462-1044.
Don't wait until it's too late!

P.S.: Don't forget about the Western Swing Dance on Friday, May 24th too! And FREE showings of all of Duke's movies with Maureen O'Hara at the classic Iowa Theatre right on the Courthouse Square. It will be a fantastic Birthday Celebration you won't want to miss.

Keep posting, Paula!

Where do you find these beautiful, big DVD and Blu-ray images?

Winterset Living Magazine, a monthly local publication has a very nice cover story about the John Wayne Birthplace in this month’s issue. Learn more about our native son John Wayne, see the room where he was born, and learn more about the Tribute to Maureen O’Hara at this year’s John Wayne Birthday Celebration:

http://www.iowalivingmagazines…4/17/the-duke-lived-here/

Quote from Frank

please, where do you think there is still a chance to find lodging in the area of Winterset for the days of celebration?
thanks. Francesco

The only place I know of that MAY still be available in town is the suite over the Northside Cafe, located right on the Courthouse Square in the center of Winterset. Not a lot of folks know about that one yet. You can send an e-mail to them from this page:

http://www.northsidecafe.us/about-us/

The form is down toward the bottom. Or you can call them at 515-462-1523.

Otherwise the Hampton Inn in West Des Moines has special rates for John Wayne Birthday Celebration attendees. They are located 30 minutes away, just off Interstate 80; 7060 Lake Drive, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. There's a link right on the birthday page or you can call them at 515-223-4700. Otherwise the closest lodging would probably be in the Des Moines area.

MORE FOOD DEVELOPMENTS: The fabulous Firemen's Pancake Breakfast will once again be a part of the John Wayne Birthday Celebration on Saturday, May 25th from 6:30am-11am at the fire station. Sit yourself down for all you care to eat with pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, milk, orange juice and coffee. Just $6. A great start to your day--just ask those who've attended in past years. Proceeds benefit Winterset’s volunteer fire department.

Then for those who like a good stick-to-the ribs meal, the Litttle Dublin Irish Pub will be serving Mary Kate’s corned beef and cabbage on Saturday, May 25th from 11am through supper time. Just $8.

Lots to see and do, and great food too!

If you're thinking about attending the Cowboy Western Swing Dance on Friday night or Saturday night's grand John Wayne Birthplace Museum Benefit Dinner and Auction, don't wait too long to get your reservations. We'll be indoors this year in air conditioned comfort. And there are some truly wonderful and unique items that will be part of the auction. An event not to be missed!

Complete information on the event and reservations may be made online at http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/birthday or call toll-free 877-462-1044.

More information about our "Tribute to Maureen O'Hara" and the 2013 John Wayne Birthday Celebration with legendary screen actress Maureen O'Hara.

The John Wayne Birthplace Museum Benefit Dinner, starting at 5pm on Saturday, May 25th will be held in a comfortable, air-conditioned indoor venue, and will feature music from the film classic The Quiet Man performed by Irish songstress Catherine O'Connell, a return engagement of Chicago's Shannon Rovers Pipes and Drums, champion Irish dancers the Fabulous McKay Sisters, and the Auction of John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara-related items. In this public farewell to her legions of fans, she'll discuss their life-long friendship—sure to be an exciting time for all!

There's a Cowboy Western Swing Dance with Les Gilliam and his Silver Lake Band Friday evening celebrating the 50th Anniversary of McLintock!, author Glenn Frankel signing copies of his new book The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend and live Irish music at The Little Dublin Irish Pub on Saturday, big-screen showings of all the films starring both John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara and lots more.

Full information and reservations can be made at http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/birthday. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime event!

I don't know what Robert Harris would consider perfect, but to my eyes (with lens replacement surgery less than 6 months ago) this version looks glorious. Viewed on a calibrated 46" Sony 1080 HD TV, it is spectacular. Colors are realistic and brilliant without being oversaturated as they were in previous home video versions. Detail is stunning: The wrinkles and beads of sweat on the faces, and the tweed in the clothing are clearly visible.

One thing I realized after I watched the blu-ray: the horrible quality of the film before made it a chore to watch and interfered with my enjoyment of the film. Now my brain is not so busy trying to see through all the glaringly off-kilter colors and the smeary image, I enjoy The Quiet Man SO much more it's almost like watching a different movie!

Quote from chester7777

That wouldn't surprise me. Wayne is the MAN when it comes to planning a GREAT event!

Oh no . . . honors for the planning goes to Mr. Brian Downes. I haven't been in charge of the event since the Centennial (kinda burned out after that one). I help out, but it's Brian's who does the master plan!

Quote from Paula

OK, it's official. I'm going! Yay!!

I'm delighted that the Iowa Theatre has upgraded its equipment because the projections I saw there in 2011 were very bad. (Sorry, Iowa Theatre.)

The equipment two years ago had problems with register for the color guns, which was virtually imperceptible when projecting color films but when we set up to show the black-and-white films it was quite noticeable. The firm who sold and serviced that equipment had gone out of business, so the theatre had no way to get it fixed in time for that year's event.

The equipment we had LAST year was already much better, and this year will be even better still! It will be amazing!

And yes, Blu-ray will be used for all films for which it is available. Blu-ray, of course, looks better than DVD, but because the previous transfers of The Quiet Man on DVD were of such poor quality the new restored version looks to be stunning and worthy of the original Technicolor production that won the Academy Award for Best Color Cinematography!

As Gorch already noted, blu-ray.com has posted screenshots and review of the newly-restored version of TQM. Here's the link: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/…Man-Blu-ray/58675/#Review

It looks fantastic. SO much better than the very poor quality versions available before! I can't wait to watch my copy I preordered on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-An…-1&keywords=The+Quiet+Man

It will be VERY exciting to share this stunning restored version on the BIG screen with Maureen O'Hara herself who has accepted our invitation to join us at our 2013 John Wayne Birthday Celebration featuring a tribute to Maureen O'Hara on May 24-25th. ALL of the films starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara (Rio Grande, The Quiet Man, The Wings of Eagles, McLintock! and Big Jake) will be shown on the big screen in the Iowa Theatre on the Courthouse Square in Winterset.

Those who've attended our past John Wayne Birthday Celebrations can tell you--there lots of fun and plenty of free things to do during this event. For those interested in attending our John Wayne Birthplace Museum Benefit Dinner with Maureen O'Hara on May 25th, tickets are now available at http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org or by phone toll-free at (877) 462-1044. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

As Gorch already noted, blu-ray.com has posted screenshots and review of the newly-restored version of TQM. Here's the link: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/…Man-Blu-ray/58675/#Review

It looks fantastic. SO much better than the very poor quality versions available before! I can't wait to watch my copy I preordered on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-An…-1&keywords=The+Quiet+Man

It will be VERY exciting to share this stunning restored version on the BIG screen with Maureen O'Hara herself who has accepted our invitation to join us at our 2013 John Wayne Birthday Celebration featuring a tribute to Maureen O'Hara on May 24-25th. ALL of the films starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara (Rio Grande, The Quiet Man, The Wings of Eagles, McLintock! and Big Jake) will be shown on the big screen in the Iowa Theatre on the Courthouse Square in Winterset.

Those who've attended our past John Wayne Birthday Celebrations can tell you--there lots of fun and plenty of free things to do during this event. For those interested in attending our John Wayne Birthplace Museum Benefit Dinner with Maureen O'Hara on May 25th, tickets are now available at http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org or by phone toll-free at (877) 462-1044. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!