I haven't seen the Conqueror, and I don't plan to. One still shot of Duke in ersatz Genghis Khan makeup was enough for me. So I can't really say it's Duke's worst, but I can't think of anything else. Isn't it ironic that Duke made Conqueror and the Searchers in the same year?
Posts from nordy in thread „Films You Wish John Wayne Hadn't Made“
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You have a point. Watching Jet Pilot as a comedy makes it more bearable. And yes, I watch it too.
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The above are all strong candidates for the worst, but for my money the worst of them all is "Jet Pilot." This collaboration between Howard Hughes and John Wayne seemed to bring out the worst in both of them.
The film, wrote Duke biographers Roberts and Olson, let Hughes explore "three of his obsessions, anticommunism, women's breasts and aviation."
The plot is ludicrous, involving a female Soviet jet pilot (Janet Leigh) who also qualifies for Playmate of the Month. After some initial political sparring and some flying lessons by Duke, they of course fall in love. I've seen better screen chemistry between Duke and some of his horses.
Then they escape to the Soviet Union. Then they come back. All ends happily.
But what you went through to get there.
