Posts by JamesMace

Young Walter Brennan, on left.

I didn't notice one familiar-looking individual at the other end of the table that John Wayne was at in "The Black Watch" until after the fact. Doesn't this guy look like Spencer Tracy? Tracy did his first feature film at Fox and under John Ford, though not until 1930. I wonder if this is an extra job for Tracy that is unknown or overlooked.

Here are 2 new frame captures from The Black Watch, showing what might be a partial view of John Wayne on the far right. Hopefully these clips are a bit more clearer. Notice also that Victor McLaglen is sitting directly across from Wayne, and would appear in some of Wayne's films some twenty years later.

Young Yakima Canutt

Young Ward Bond

New or rare photos and documents from The Big Trail

From Randy Roberts & James Olson's book, "John Wayne, American."

Young Paul Fix

Young Ken Curtis

Even the rawest of John Wayne "Newby" fans have seen this photo... but colorized?

Jess Willard's 1915 "The Heart Punch" drama.

Boy! You really go to a lot of research and work. You must be king of this website or something. I appreciate this tribute section.

Don't forget to look for Duke in the boat-rowing scene.

I forgot to add: Why did the Challenge of Chance pictures end up in a different section that the text I sent along with it? I didn't mean to do that. Don't remember that happenig before... Or is thast just the way this all works anyway????

I will post "The Heart Punch" poster later, when I have time. Was seriously ill on Monday and had to go to Emergency.

I'm reluctant to change the subject anywhere here on this site from Duke to my grandfather, as I only mentioned it in the off-the-subject section (can't remember the name right now) to answer the question about other Western movies and actors. But the boxing match with McLaglen was only an "exhibition," a type of match that was almost a spur of the moment. Unplanned. It took place in Missouri, I think - (Geez! I'm forgetting that fact too) - and I guess no newspaper people took a picture of the event -not that I've been able to find, anyway. As for the Dempsey fight, neither I or anybody will ever know for sure if Dempsey cheated. Naturally its hard for me not to be biased on my grandfather's side and legacy, but I've tried to be fair and open. Yet there was just enough suspicion about the 3 rounds that don't rest easily on me.

Not sure about the guy on Duke's left being Ward Bond. Picture pixelated too much when I zoomed in to be of any help.

Just found this picture. A group photo of Navy football team, plus players inthe film.Duke is in back row, next to the tallest guy.

Near the beginning of The Big Trail there is a humorous scene showing actor El Brendel carrying a couple ladies over a muddy area in a street. That scene was shot at the corner of Front Street and K. Street in Old Sacramento. Here are a couple still frames from that scene, and how that corner appears today.

Here's a couple of pictures of McLaglen in his boxing years. My grandfather, Jess Willard, boxed him in an exhibition bout in 1911.... Around about the time my dad was dating my mother (1933, 1934), he was asked by my grandmother Willard to drive to a certain place and pick up my grandfather, along with McLaglen, from some bar or other drinking place (?) and take them home. My dad remebered the incidant - having to get squashed in the front seat between my grandfather and McLaglen all the way home.