A while back I promised I'd get around to putting up a post about my nearly LIFE-long fandom of the legendary Mr. John Wayne. Well.... no better time I guess, then here and now!!!
Unlike other actors / entertainers I've grown to be all geeky about over the years, there was NEVER a point, part or any other segment in my life where the 'ol Duke wasn't there!! In other words.... as far back as I can remember, John Wayne has been part of the fabric of the Loydster's life!!!
Sounds kinda corny, I know!!! But, my parents watched his movies when I was a wee little tot, and over the years, this big, over-sized, truly 'bigger-than-life' actor, became almost like a part of the Ferrell family. A fixture. Like a giant old oak tree out in the front yard. He was just always around!!
But slowly, over the years.... the Duke has grown into pretty much my favorite actor / movie personality for my own reasons. Over time, I've come to realize John Wayne is indeed one of the greats in movie history!! Also one of the most underrated and under-appreciated--- especially by high-brow, movie-critic-types!!! But.... as I often say to friends & family about movie critics.... 'what do movie critics REALLY know anyway!!??!!?'
Let's take a look at some of the trailers from my own list of 'big John' favorites!! First up, the one that put him on the map!! This was his first big 'breakout' role, in 'Stagecoach'--- the movie that, even though he'd been toiling away in low-budget 'cowpoke-flicks' for a decade, made him a TRUE star!!!---
For it's place in Duke's movie-career, as well as it being a TRUE western classic, 'Stagecoach' has always been one of my favorites. I mean, I can't even imagine ANY other actor that was a contemporary of Duke being able to pull off that CLASSIC scene where his character first appears!!
Then, nearly a decade later, Duke took on the role of the hard-driving cattle baron in 'Red River'. I can't think of very many other actors of his generation, who would've had the guts to take on a role like the one he plays here!!!----
Another role Duke bravely took on, was Ethan Edwards in 'The Searchers'. Another character that has his share of some truly scary moments!!! His dark, complex portrayal in this movie really should have won him an Oscar!!!-----
Another personal favorite of mine, is 'Rio Bravo'. It's also evidence that Duke wasn't bothered by being part of an ensemble of actors that worked together to make a movie something special!! I can't think of ANYBODY in this movie who wasn't EXACTLY right in the part they were cast in!!!----
This next one is a personal favorite for some different reasons than a number of the others on my 'Duke-movie-list'!!! Mainly because I've learned so much about how it was a LONG time (nearly a decade and a half!!!) ambition of Duke's to get this movie made.He ended up throwing a LOT of his personal finances into this project, along with a TON of energy and concentration (he was producer, director AND star, after all!!)
The end result turned out to be a real mixed bag of a movie. I'd be the last one to say it's a 'perfect' movie, or even one of his best. But.... 'The Alamo' will ALWAYS be one of my 'sentimental Duke favorites', mostly for the journey the man took to get it to the screen!!!----
Now, these next couple of films are some of Mr. Wayne's, that I refer to as my 'dependable' or 'go-to' movies!!! Along with 'The War Wagon', another one in this category, these are flicks that I've lost count of exactly how many times I've actually watched!!
Whenever I need a time to kind of regroup, relax, or just forget life's trials and troubles--- outside of the usual cartoons and 'Stooges shorts, there's NOTHING like sitting back with a bag of popcorn,and enjoying a good adventure / action yarn!! 'The Comancheros' and 'El Dorado' fit the bill perfectly!!---
This is a just a small sample of the Duke's movies that I've grown to love and enjoy over the years. There are a couple DOZEN others in the Loydster's collection that would've made fine examples in this post as well as the ones I've just used!! These are just my 'top half-dozen'!!
Like I've said before here at the bloggy-thang-a-ma-jang, I make NO apologies for any thing that I love and enjoy--- and my love for the Duke and his films is somewhere near the top, if I were to sit down and make a list of those things!! Like I said at the start of this post..... he's ALWAYS been a part of my life, always will be. To quote from his character in 'The Searchers'---- 'Sure as the turnin' of the earth'!!!
----- See you NEXT time, gang!!!-----
