Posts by Col. Kirby

welcome trekwayne and mattiej. Definitely cool story mattie. Look forward to sharing thoughts on our man, Himself.

This is sure Charlie's weather!

Savoy Six, out.

What a tribute this is for the Duke and all those involved with the making of The Searchers. John Ford of course being on top of that list. Here in 2013, 57 years later and being judged by a generation that was at least 3 or 4 generations removed it is truly a testament to the greatness of the movie and of course the two Johns. Especially John Wayne who was so powerful in it that one cannot picture another actor doing it any justice. Not to make light of Ford who's style is imprinted on the film as only he could have made.

If you say Gone With The Wind (#10) was not a Western which I do not consider it, then this poll puts The Searchers as the #1 western of all time. The top 12 of 100 on this list were as follows...
#1 Citizen Kane
#2 The Godfather
#3 Casablanca
#4 Bonnie and Clyde
#5 Psycho
#6 It's a Wonderful Life
#7 Mean Streets
#8 The Gold Rush
#9 Nashville
#10 Gone With The Wind
#11 King Kong
#12 The Searchers

The Wild Bunch comes in as the next western at #83. The only other western on the list, unless one counts Brokeback Mountain which I personally do not. That one was #94.
In a quick caption the magazine says this was Ford's darkest western with John Wayne as a Civil War vet obsessed with finding his niece. It also says this one has a closing shot for the ages. Who could deny that? I still get goose bumps seeing Duke, the ultimate outsider looking in and walking away as the music kicks in and the movie ends.
John Wayne's portrayal of Ethan Edwards was so powerful leaving an everlasting imprint on not only one's thoughts but on their very souls. To not have gotten an Oscar for this yet given one for True Grit is almost laughable imo. As great as John Ford was and he certainly was, it goes without saying that minus the Duke, it's doubtful it would be remembered today as this magazine shows that it still is.
Of course the direction was superb as was the supporting cast but the facts are the facts and John Wayne was the sun in any movie he made while everyone else merely orbiting planets. That's my story and i'm sticking to it.

What a tribute this is for the Duke and all those involved with the making of The Searchers. John Ford of course being on top of that list. Here in 2013, 57 years later and being judged by a generation that was at least 3 or 4 generations removed it is truly a testament to the greatness of the movie and of course the two Johns. Especially John Wayne who was so powerful in it that one cannot picture another actor doing it any justice. Not to make light of Ford who's style is imprinted on the film as only he could have made.

If you say Gone With The Wind (#10) was not a Western which I do not consider it, then this poll puts The Searchers as the #1 western of all time. The top 12 of 100 on this list were as follows...
#1 Citizen Kane
#2 The Godfather
#3 Casablanca
#4 Bonnie and Clyde
#5 Psycho
#6 It's a Wonderful Life
#7 Mean Streets
#8 The Gold Rush
#9 Nashville
#10 Gone With The Wind
#11 King Kong
#12 The Searchers

The Wild Bunch comes in as the next western at #83. The only other western on the list, unless one counts Brokeback Mountain which I personally do not. That one was #94.
In a quick caption the magazine says this was Ford's darkest western with John Wayne as a Civil War vet obsessed with finding his niece. It also says this one has a closing shot for the ages. Who could deny that? I still get goose bumps seeing Duke, the ultimate outsider looking in and walking away as the music kicks in and the movie ends.
John Wayne's portrayal of Ethan Edwards was so powerful leaving an everlasting imprint on not only one's thoughts but on their very souls. To not have gotten an Oscar for this yet given one for True Grit is almost laughable imo. As great as John Ford was and he certainly was, it goes without saying that minus the Duke, it's doubtful it would be remembered today as this magazine shows that it still is.
Of course the direction was superb as was the supporting cast but the facts are the facts and John Wayne was the sun in any movie he made while everyone else merely orbiting planets. That's my story and i'm sticking to it.

The Magnificent Seven, The Wild Bunch, The Gunfighter, Shane.

Quote from ethanedwards

A Few Dollars More

Thanks for the comments re: Rio Bravo and El Dorado. I am in agreement with those who feel Rio Lobo does not live up to El Dorado. It's not even close to either movie imo. I think that Rio Bravo was definitely considered to be more of a major motion picture release for it's time than El Dorado was for it's time. Dean Martin and Walter Brennan were big stars and Rickey Nelson was very popular while Angie Dickenson was a very hot up and coming leading lady. El Dorado was probably looked at as more of a Duke western and in it's formula it certainly was. Bob Mitchum was a huge star but was getting older then and not in the demand he was at one time.
What I liked as a kid in El Dorado was that Duke played more of a lead role than he did in Rio Bravo. He was one of four top gunmen with a rep and he played the part perfectly. The "professional courtesy" angle was prominent throughout with Duke and Christopher George. Add to the drama that he was carrying a bullet in his back (and the guilt) and it's effects through the whole movie.
One part that was classic Duke was when the sister of the boy he had to kill shoots him and says 'I don't know how I missed from there"...and Duke gets up and wipes his blood on her shirt and says ' You didn't miss"..
Not looking for any controversy here. To each their own and with Duke we are all winners.

MacDonald. Kevin MacDonald. Come out and get your boy".

Guys like David Jansen, Jim Hutton, Aldo Ray who were stars on their own made a strong supporting cast for the Duke. George Takei and Jack Soo were outstanding as well. As were the rest of Duke's standard crew a great bit players. The movie was political poison and treated that way by critics but the public went for it anyway. It's a classic war movie.

Bulldog this is Puff the Magic Dragon, where do you want it?

Put it on the camp. Those people have it. We don't.

It'll just take a minute

Irish Duke, you have excellent taste. If you don't mind me comparing, I prefer El Dorado to Rio Bravo although they are both excellent movies. I've had many a discussion comparing the two with another Duke fan I know well. As cool as Rickey Nelson was and as real a performance Dean Martin gave, I have to give the nod to Jimmy Cann's Mississippi (nelsons colorado) and Mitchum's Sheriff for sheer believable and real perfromances. In the lady's department Angie Dickenson definitely gets the nod and Stumpy over Bull although Bull was very strong too. I also thought Ed Asner and Christopher George were real quality people in supporting roles.
Cole Thorten was also a superior character imo for Duke. Either way both were excellent especially for their times which were different era's.

Kevin McDonald, come out and get your boy.

Thank you Dukefan, Kevin and Ethanedwards for the welcome. Thanks also for the book review Ethan. It was a page turner for me and I would think most Duke fans. The phone interviews got to a lot of people. Big stars and bit players alike. Guys like Fonda, Lee Marvin and Jimmy Stewart and guys like Claude Akins and Lee van Cleef.

Savoy Six This is Bulldog. The Mite Force is in position. Out.

Thank you Irish Duke and Ethan Edwards for the warm welcome and the helpful info. All very much appreciated. I feel right at home. Can't wait until I do have some more time to actually delve into this great site to see what others have written and to contribute myself.
The Duke was THE biggest star when stars were really and truly stars. He will always shine brightly, never to be forgotten.
Thanks again,
Col. Kirby

I think it was Winston Churchill who said something to the effect that if you had enemies, then that meant you stood for something. Duke's enemies, the liberal elite didn't give him a chance on this one. Same deal for The Alamo. America was changing and we were in the middle of a war so it was expected. That doesn't mean millions upon millions of Americans did not enjoy this movie OR the America it represented.
It was a great war movie with great action, great stars and a patriotic message. It was true to a fault to show the professionalism of our special forces too. Peterson, played by Jim Hutton looking for Hamchung during the battle showed medics appearing instantly. Reinforcements plugging the gap. Hand to hand combat to hold the perimeter. Outstanding! When he finds the orphan boy mourning his dead dog Jimook he says...'He was all you had in the world, wasn't he?" Hamchung says , "Cept you"...Peterson could only sigh and say, "Yeah" as he pulls him to safety.
The Duke on the beach with Hamchung, improper sunset and all was one for the book! Duke's facials alone put a lump in your throat. When the kid says, "Who will take care of me now:"..Duke says, "You let me worry about that Green Beret. You're what this war is all about". Of course they were put down as corny for this but as I just read in John Wayne, Man Behind the Myth, it was said "Only John Wayne could get away with a line like that and make it believable and acceptable"

Savoy Six, This is Bulldog. The Mite Force is in position.

Col. Kirby

The Magnificent Seven.

Nobody throws me my own guns and says run. Nobody!

Hello all. It was great for me to find this forum as John Wayne has been a HUGE part of my life. Always has been. Not only was he a great star but also a great actor. More importantly he was a great American. The Duke could out act most with just a look. I struggled to come up with name for myself and decided on Col. Kirby. Was going to say Bulldog but they are one in the same. I have many stories and opinions to share and look forward to exchanging thoughts with you all. I just got done reading another Bio and that's how I stumbled here. I was looking for info on Paul Fix who was prominent in the book. I was not sure who he was but of course recognized him immediately.
The book was written by a guy who spent time with Duke in London during the filming of Brannigan. Can you believe I forgot the title already? It was only a week ago I returned it but it was very well done. John Wayne, The man behind the Myth I believe it was called. Something like that. I have read at least a dozen books on Duke over the years and this one really has a lot of input by the people he worked with. I HIGHLY recommend it.
One theme in the book was of Stalin and Mao actually putting out a contract on Duke's anti communist head. And almost getting him too. Yakima Canutt told most of this story but the author corroborates it with other actors including Peter Cushing and Orson Welles among others. I confess I had not known any of this before and it was eye raising to say the least...I'm sure many here already know about it but I have not read much here yet as I hope to.
There may be bigger John Wayne fans in this world than I and I am happy to know that but I have to say they would be hard pressed to prove they love the man as much as I have always loved him. I am not ashamed to say that in the least. Even being a father of two and a grandfather of 3. It's good to be in the company of his admirers. Look forward to getting to know you all.
Savoy Six, This is Bulldog. We'll try to make it in before the damn sun comes up.
Savoy Six, Over and out.
Col. Kirby