Posts by Brian Mc

Personally, I thought it was an excellent remake -- one of the best -- having read the book many times (in the years before home video, that was all one could do), I thought the Coens did a brilliant job of capturing the events of the book -- also I doubt I've seen a more authentic looking western before with the street settings and the incredible makeup and art direction.

The one person who would have thought this movie was the greatest would be John Wayne himself. (Has anyone asked Patrick Wayne his opinion and what would his dad have thought?)

When I heard they were going to remake this movie, I feared the worst (especially after the Coen brothers remade the Ealing comedy "The Ladykillers" with Tom Hanks -- and it was terrible).

I needn't have worried--they couldn't have done a better job and I hope it scoops the pool at the Academy Awards later this month. Those who haven't seen it yet, bite the bullet and go see it, playing on the biggest screen in your area as it's a movie that must be seen in a theatre.

Hello Chester--my apologies for the delay in my reply to your request (6 months!?)

The entire series came out on HBO Home Video as a 13 volume vhs set--I just checked Amazon and this set is now very expensive.

I know the entire series was about to be released on dvd around 2003 when plans to release it were dropped very suddenly--when someone asked Kevin Brownlow who made the documentary what happened, it seems that everyone who had clips in the series now wanted to be paid for them.

I remember Duke spoke about his early days in Hollywood and gave a heartfelt tribute to the work of one of his idols, Harry Carey--he spoke of how he got to know Harry and Olive (she was also interviewed for the show) and how he made an indirect tribute to Harry in the final scene from "The Searchers" (which was included in the show....and most likely, Warners would like some reembursement if this show with this scene ever appears again!)

Hello Chester--my apologies for the delay in my reply to your request (6 months!?)

The entire series came out on HBO Home Video as a 13 volume vhs set--I just checked Amazon and this set is now very expensive.

I know the entire series was about to be released on dvd around 2003 when plans to release it were dropped very suddenly--when someone asked Kevin Brownlow who made the documentary what happened, it seems that everyone who had clips in the series now wanted to be paid for them.

I remember Duke spoke about his early days in Hollywood and gave a heartfelt tribute to the work of one of his idols, Harry Carey--he spoke of how he got to know Harry and Olive (she was also interviewed for the show) and how he made an indirect tribute to Harry in the final scene from "The Searchers" (which was included in the show....and most likely, Warners would like some reembursement if this show with this scene ever appears again!)

The third person interviewed on the January 10 1979 show was Carroll O'Connor.

I am also proud to say that I was the person who had this actual show listed on the Internet Movie Database--I was flabbergasted that ABC (or anyone else for that matter) had not included this landmark episode of this series as it was Duke's final interview.

His very last appearance was at the Oscars that year, but his last new credit was released the following year, 1980--an new interview done for the Kevin Brownlow mini-series "Hollywood" was the Duke's true last credit, in which he speaks of working in the last days of the silent era.

It is a terrific series--one can still buy it on vhs, but I reckon it will never be released on dvd as due to rights clearances to films and music used in the series (it would now probably cost millions to pay off the rights holders these days, certainly not back in 1980) and as it is such a great series, I'm glad this was the Duke's last credit as it was most fitting.

The third person interviewed on the January 10 1979 show was Carroll O'Connor.

I am also proud to say that I was the person who had this actual show listed on the Internet Movie Database--I was flabbergasted that ABC (or anyone else for that matter) had not included this landmark episode of this series as it was Duke's final interview.

His very last appearance was at the Oscars that year, but his last new credit was released the following year, 1980--an new interview done for the Kevin Brownlow mini-series "Hollywood" was the Duke's true last credit, in which he speaks of working in the last days of the silent era.

It is a terrific series--one can still buy it on vhs, but I reckon it will never be released on dvd as due to rights clearances to films and music used in the series (it would now probably cost millions to pay off the rights holders these days, certainly not back in 1980) and as it is such a great series, I'm glad this was the Duke's last credit as it was most fitting.

I loved this show--it was one of the first shows shown in prime time when Australia converted to color television in March 1975--I suspect the reason being that so many had seen it in black and white in 20 years worth of reruns, there would be a ready made audience to see it all over again in color--and I'm pretty sure that is exactly what happened as it was on and of the tv schedules till around 1980.

Since then, no sign of Cisco and Pancho (except in a public domain print dvd box set floating around put out by Madacy Entertainment....yep, you can get them down here as well!)

"John Wayne: American" and Pat Stacy's book, I agree, are about the best.

Another that comes to mind is one with a title like "Duke, We Hardly Knew You" which is full of memories of working with Duke by co-stars as well as friends. Another I would recommend is Pilar Wayne's book--certainly a different viewpoint and very interesting. Also a book co authored by Duke's makeup man Dave Grayson which is very candid and funny.

There is also a book on the making of "The Alamo" that is made up mainly of behind the scenes pictures, showing Duke at work on a project he loved.

Here is an excellent review by Stuart Galbraith IV of 'DVD Talk' regarding the two disc special edition of "The Big Trail", for the first time since it's 1930 premiere run in it's original widescreen format:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews…disc-special-edition-the/

Just caught up with both "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "Love Me Or Leave Me" on dvd (both part of a stocktake sale at our local Woolworths store) -- quite a double feature....no theatre would be adventurous to program those pictures on the same bill!

Regarding John Wayne movies, finally caught up with "Island In The Sky", a terrific movie--amazing to think that the Duke starred in two of the first disaster movies--this one and "The High And The Mighty". One would suspect that if these movies were still in circulation in the 1970s, the Duke may have been considered for roles in that decade's epics, like "Airport" or "The Towering Inferno"--maybe he was and preferred to stick with westerns and cop thrillers. Still, I think he would have held his own in these movies.

One piece of trivia that few know is that she started out as a contract player at 20th Century Fox with a group of fresh faced girls and there was a famous photo of this group of girls taken for the fan magazines of the time.

If one looks at the picture, only two of the girls continued with a notable film career: one is a young Lois and sitting cross-legged on the floor just below her, a very young Marilyn Monroe.

This picture is included in many of the books and documentaries on Marilyn--I don't think anyone ever asked her about it but it is quite true.

Roger Moore said that he was sorry the Bond producers didn't let her continue in the series as 'M' as she would have been pretty good, and I have to agree with him.

That Michele Carey was as hot as a pistol (pardon the pun)--she was also great in the Elvis movie that just came out on dvd "Live A Little, Love A Little" and she features most prominently in two of the great musical numbers in the movie "Edge Of Reality" and "A Little Less Conversation".

I suspect she retired from movies in the early 70s and I don't know if she is still in circulation at fan shows (either for Elvis or the Duke), but she certainly was a welcome sight in both of these movies!

I disagree Cole--he had "Battle Beyond The Stars" (which would have been much better, production wise, if he was in the movie) and he was certainly committed to getting "Beau John" made and him being the star of the movie--perhaps he was at that age and the fact that he was slightly haggard at the time he was out of that Boston hospital after he had the heart-valve operation that would have given some gravitas to the role (it was to have been a horse racing picture and a comedy) and certainly would have been a change of pace.

Also he had signed a contact with ABC for a regular slate of tv specials well into the 1980s with himself as host--I am genuinely sorry this did not happen as it would have revitalised his career (not that it really needed any) -- also it was the cusp of the home video revolution and that in itself would have made him one of the most in-demand personalities in the world.

I like to think of how he would have ended his career (if 'the big C' hadn't returned) in the 1980s and probably into the mid-90s--with the box office success of "On Golden Pond" in 1981 and into 1982, he would have certainly been reteamed with Maureen O'Hara in something similar (James Stewart was forever being offered 'Golden Pond'-like movies--he did one, "Right Of Way" with Bette Davis--but turned them down as most of the roles were curmudgeons and he wasn't one). Also in the era of "Raiders Of The Lost Ark", he certainly wouldn't have been out of place and may have made a Batjac production similar to "Plunder In The Sun". Also I think he would have returned to being a producer at Batjac, even a director.

I think "Beau John" would probably still make a great movie, but who would you get to play the lead these days-- Kurt Russell, Jeff Bridges?

Two more roles that were offered to Duke, both in 1978:

"10"

Duke was sent the script for this 1979 Blake Edwards' comedy with Dudley Moore and Julie Andrews and was approached for the role of Bo Derek's father, a Beverly Hills dentist (played in the movie by James Noble). He sent back the script, saying it was "too dirty"

"Battle Beyond The Stars"

This was a Roger Corman/American International low budget ripoff of "Star Wars" (though more like the-then recently departed "Battlestar Galactica"). The Duke loved both "Star Wars" and "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" and whilst he had steered clear of anything with any hint of science fiction, no westerns were making this kind of money at the box office and this role was ready-made for him....a gunslinger.

He thought his presence might help the production, add it some prestige and possibly some added backing, budget-wise, from one of the major studios who were all looking at putting into production some "Star Wars"-type pictures.

I know "Beau John" was probably his highest priority at the time, but he was very keen to be in this movie (unbelievably, to many in the film community) and I'm pretty sure contracts may have been signed. Sadly, Duke's health took a downturn and he was out of the movie, with the role eventually being played by George Peppard.

Also he was approached for a film in which Harrison Ford would have played his son--don't know the title but this was certainly mooted at the time.

(** Also, going back even further in time, Duke was approached for the lead in both "High Noon" and "Gunsmoke"--he was the one who suggested James Arness as the perfect Matt Dillon)

Dakota--I'm just a new person here but if I were you, judging what I have read in this thread, I would not cut off all ties with this board. You should do what John Wayne himself did in many movies, from "How The West Was Won" and "Cast A Giant Shadow" to things like "I Married A Woman" and "Cancel My Reservation" -- make a 'cameo appearance' here now and then.

I am a huge fan of Laurel and Hardy ('Babe' Hardy, Duke's co-star in "The Fighting Kentuckian") and of Sharon Tate (her life, not her death) and I pipe in, here and there, on all the official message boards: I know a lot about them and others and if someone needs correct information or suggestions and I know the facts, I let them know. Remember, we are members of a 'fan community' -- if somebody told me 20 years ago I would be exchanging information that I would have never have dreamed being asked in my normal, everyday life, I would have told them them they'd had one too many tequila mockingbirds. But now it's common and routine to many online these days--I never lost that awe, I feel many here haven't either and would welcome and keep welcoming anyone and everyone who is a true fan, like yourself.

To be asked by the Wayne family is a great honour and I don't know the logistics of all this but suffice to say, keep mooching in here--you're a fan, right? --and I for one will be in here and 'over there' in the Official territories (God knows, John Wayne himself used to freelance between studios during his film career!) and keep in touch. You may be hanging up your 'sheriff' badge in this county but you'll always be welcome in these here parts.

Many thanks SX Viper, Chester, Hondo, Mark and Jay for the great welcome: this is a terrific message board and will certainly be a regular outpost in my cyber-travels (rest the horses here at 'Fort Wayne' for a while!)

I live in Australia and we will be finally getting the Batjac productions on dvd for the first time down here in early August--I look forward to finally seeing "McLintock!" without getting a headache from the frenetic 'pan and scan' picture movements.

Speaking of Batjac, has anybody heard any further details on the release in digital cinemas of the 3D version of "Hondo"? I know that there was to have been an announcement at the recent Cannes Film Festival about this project going forward as there will be a whole slate of brand new movies being released in digital 3D in those theatres with digital projection equipment. Certainly "Hondo" will seem rather quaint compared to the next James Cameron movie, but at least it will be seen in the ultimate presentation conditions and would be quite notable in the Duke's 100th Anniversary year.

Hello fellow John Wayne fans!

A pleasure to join up here on this message board--found this as a link to the new John Wayne site: like the Duke, shall make cameo appearances here when I get two minutes to myself (although it will be longer than his cameos in "How The West Was Won" or "Cancel My Reservation"!)

I am also a huge Laurel and Hardy fan (Oliver was his co-star in "The Fighting Kentuckian" and the Duke and Herbert Yates visited Stan and Oliver on the set of their final movie "Atoll K" in France in 1950) and it's heartening to know that all of the greats haven't been forgotten.

Cheers! -- Brian