I Thought You Were Dead

 

"Circus World" Home Movie

Below is a home movie taken during the filming of Circus World (1964) with John Wayne, Rita Hayworth and Claudia Cardinale. 

R.I.P. Claudia Cardinale.

Claudia Cardinale Dies At 87

Above, John Wayne and Claudia Cardinale in Circus World.

Italian actress Claudia Cardinale has died at the age of 87.

According to the BBC:

Claudia Cardinale, the Tunisian-born Italian star of The Leopard, 8 1/2 and Pink Panther, has died at the age of 87.

She had a six-decade long career, rising to fame during the golden age of Italian cinema, and was directed by greats such as Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti.

The actress died at Nemours in France in the company of her children, according to her agent Laurent Savry.

"She leaves us the legacy of a free and inspired woman both as a woman and as an artiste," Savry told AFP news agency.

Born in Tunisia to Sicilian parents in April 1938, Cardinale won a beauty contest at 16 that saw her declared "the most beautiful Italian woman in Tunis". 

Last year, I visited the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum in Winterset, Iowa and picked up a DVD copy of Circus World (1964) starring Wayne, Rita Hayworth and Claudia Cardinale. 

To read more, go here.

A Short History of Hollywood’s Ironic Gun-Control Fetish

Above, John Wayne and his Winchester 1892 lever-gun with wide loop in Stagecoach (1939).

Guns and Hollywood have gone hand-in-hand since the silent movie era.

Many gun models (rifles and pistols) have been featured in motion pictures for decades. Some gun models are so popular that many of those guns have seen sales skyrocket, such as Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry Smith & Wesson Model 29 in .44 magnum.

America's First Freedom has posted an article that is a short history of Hollywood's gun control fetish.

It begins with:

We often use Hollywood as a pejorative in these pages. Many film executives have been asking for this treatment.

It is, after all, one thing to ignore the anti-Second Amendment politics of an actor who stars in shoot-‘em-up action films, but it is quite another to shrug away anti-gun political messaging fronting as moral goodness in a TV drama or film.

Nevertheless, we do.

We shake our heads and sigh when our national storytellers aren’t just peddling weak falsehoods about America’s more than 100 million gun owners but also are so intellectually lazy or so immersed in their anti-gun bubbles that they get basic things about guns and the laws that regulate them wrong.

Admittedly, there can be a tinge of cathartic pleasure in voicing honest criticisms of Hollywood actors, writers and producers who ignorantly attack this right—this is very much like when an audience cheers after President Donald Trump (R) points to the back of a rally and calls the “journalists” standing there behind their cameras and microphones “fake news.”

Still, those are only the obvious things to say about the complex relationship between America’s millions and millions of lawfully armed citizens and the juggernaut we refer to as Hollywood.

To read the full article, go here. 

Ed Faulkner, Longtime John Wayne Co-Star, Dies At 93

Above, Ed Faulkner in Chisum (1970).

The name Ed Faulkner may not conjure up any recollections, but his face is quite familiar to fans of John Wayne and Elvis Presley movies.

The  Daily Beast reported:

Actor Edward Faulkner, who appeared in six films with John Wayne and two with Elvis Presley, has died at 93 of natural causes. Faulkner died Aug. 26 at a health care facility in Vista, California, his daughter Leslie Wadsworth revealed to The Hollywood Reporter. The McLintock!, Rio Lobo, and The Green Berets actor had a long-standing chess rivalry with Wayne. “I occasionally let him win,” Faulkner said, who once kept a plane idled to keep from interrupting a match between the actor and Wayne. Faulkner, a 6′3″ Kentucky native, saddled up on horses in multiple TV westerns, but his debut on the silver screen came in the form of an uncredited role on the 1960 film G.I. Blues, starring Elvis Presley.

Faulkner also appeared in The Undefeated, Chisum and Hellfighters with Wayne.

To read more, go here.

AZ Central's Guide To Monument Valley

Above, a sunrise view of the West Mitten. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park straddles the Arizona-Utah border. It was made famous by director John Ford in 1939's Stagecoach, starring John Wayne and Claire Trevor. It has appeared in many more movies since then.

I have visited Monument Valley several times. It is less than a half day's drive from home. I have camped at Goulding's Lodge Campground and at Monument Valley KOA.

Above, Goulding's Lodge Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

AZ Central has posted an "ultimate guide" to Monument Valley listing the best things to do.

It begins with:

A boundless open sky greets travelers heading toward the Arizona-Utah border, with just a few red-orange sandstone monoliths reaching heights of up to 1,000 feet tall along the horizon.

The transcendental landscape at Monument Valley inspires visitors with its towering sandstone buttes so picturesque that it has served as a backdrop for many movies.

Monument Valley, the 91,696-acre tribal park on the Navajo Nation that spans parts of Arizona and Utah, was named by Arizona Republic readers as a finalist in the Most Beautiful Places in Arizona Poll, which was won by the Grand Canyon.

Monument Valley is a popular destination for travelers visiting northern Arizona and southern Utah. Here's how to plan a Monument Valley trip, including the best time to visit and what is the closest town.

To read more, go here. 

Actor James McEachin Dies At 94

Above, James McEachin.

It has been announced that actor James McEachin passed away at 94.

I remember him as a bailiff in John Wayne's True Grit (1969). He also appeared with Wayne in The Undefeated (1969) as Jimmy Collins. He appeared in several Clint Eastwood films, including Coogan's Bluff (1968). Every Which Way But Loose (1978), Play Misty For Me (1971) and Sudden Impact (1983).

According to the Hollywood Reporter:

James McEachin, who wrote and produced songs for Otis Redding before turning to acting to portray cops on his own NBC Mystery Movie series and in 18 of the popular Perry Mason telefilms, has died. He was 94.

McEachin died Jan. 11 and was interred last month at Los Angeles National Cemetery.

To read more, go here. 

John Wayne Day In Fort Worth, Texas

Above, yours truly with Patrick Wayne outside of Ridgway, Colorado in 2022.

John Wayne Day is this coming Monday (which is also Memorial Day) and there will be several events at the Fort Worth Stockyards. The events mark the 118th anniversary of John Wayne's birth.

According to FWToday:

Next Monday, May 26 marks John Wayne’s 118th birthday, and the party is just getting started. Kick up your boots and get ready to celebrate Hollywood’s favorite on-screen cowboy with a series of events in the Stockyards.

One of the events is a special screening of The Big Trail (1930) at the Modern Art Museum. Son Patrick Wayne will make a special guest appearance. I am pleased to see that Patrick is out and about, considering he is now 85. I met him at the John Wayne Cancer Foundation's Grit Series marathons outside of Ridgway, Colorado in 2022.

For more information on the events, go here.

HOW TO MODIFY THE WINCHESTER "94" TO SPIN-COCK AND FAN (Video)

Western fans are familiar with the introduction of John Wayne as the Ringo Kid in Stagecoach (1939) spin-cocking his Winchester 1892.

Here's the scene if you have never seen it:

 

If one want to give it a whirl (pardon the pun), here's how to do it with a Winchester 94:

From Daniel Mink (Rhinestone Roper):

Join Dan Mink, The Rhinestone Roper and multiple Wild West World Champion, as he teaches HOW TO SPIN-COCK AND FAN THE WINCHESTER "94" and explains the modifications to the gun that make these Classic Western moves possible.  Some of us remember Lucas McCain in THE RIFLEMAN and ROOSTER COGBURN as they spun their rifles in one hand take care of the bad guys.  This video shows how any Cowboy, Cowgirl or other frontier enthusiast can handle their rifle in the same way.

Personally, I've never tried spin-cocking my Winchester 94 myself. It needs a bigger and wider loop. Knowing my luck, I'd probably shoot my foot off (or worse).

Springerville Fairgrounds

 

A couple of years ago, I was heading to Tombstone, Arizona for a clampout. Along the way, I stopped by John Wayne's former ranch, the 26 Bar Ranch in Eagar. 

Above, the 26 Bar Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After taking some photos, I headed on to Tombstone. In nearby Springville, I passed by the Springville Fairgrounds. The top photo of John Wayne was taken there in either the 1960s or 1970s.

The fairgrounds looked the same when I passed by. 

The Truth of John Wayne's WWII Military Exemption

Above, John Wayne with the troops in Viet Nam.

There have been many detractors questioning John Wayne's exemption from military service during World War II.

The official John Wayne Facebook page has posted the following to set the record straight:

Though many questioned John Wayne’s exemption from military service during World War II, the decision was not entirely his fault. Duke was classified as 3-A (family deferment) due to his age (34) and family status at the time of Pearl Harbor. Despite this, he repeatedly wrote to John Ford, asking to be placed in Ford's military unit, but Ford continually postponed it until after one more film.

Wayne did not try to prevent his reclassification to 1-A (draft eligible), but Republic Pictures, where he was under contract, fought hard to keep him. President Herbert J. Yates even threatened Duke with a lawsuit if he left, and Republic intervened with the Selective Service to request his deferment.

During the war, John Wayne dedicated his time to supporting the troops, serving Thanksgiving dinners at the Hollywood Canteen, touring with the USO in the South Pacific, and portraying the American soldier with dignity and courage. After Christmas 1942, he began a three-month USO tour across Australia, New Britain, and New Guinea.

Decades later, Duke continued to visit troops on the frontlines, including in Vietnam, where he spent time with soldiers in the trenches. It was a way for him to engage with everyday soldiers on a personal level, offering morale and support during an active conflict.

 

Oops! "In Harm's Way" Jeep Blooper

 A little while ago, I noticed something on Facebook. It is a video clip from the 1965 movie, In Harm's Way starring John Wayne and Kirk Douglas.

It shows a Jeep approaching Wayne and George Kennedy. It is supposed to be a South Pacific base during World War II. The Jeep shown did not exist at the time. It is a Willys Jeep M38A1 that was first produced in 1952. I should know, I have one.

It was spotted by the front fenders. I have the movie on DVD, but I never noticed this until today. 

Here's a screenshot of the Jeep from the movie:

Here's my 1952 M38A1:

The Jeeps during World War II all (different models) had flat fenders. It is anachronistic for the era.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today is St. Patrick's Day!

What is St. Patrick's Day? Well, here's the answer:

Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a religious and cultural holiday held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland.

Along with wearing green (or orange, depending upon one's persuasion) and having corned beef and cabbage, there's one other way to celebrate.

That is to pop a DVD (or VHS tape) of John Ford's beloved movie, The Quiet Man (1952), starring John Wayne, Barry Fitzgerald, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen and Ward Bond. That's what I'll be doing this evening.

Above, the wagon from The Quiet Man at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's trailer number one from 1952:

Movie Star Paper Coaster

Last Sunday, before going grocery shopping, I stopped at the El Rancho Hotel's Silver Screen restaurant for some breakfast.

They've recently started providing paper coasters of stars who've stayed at the El Rancho.

The one I received last Sunday:

 

Weapons of "The Searchers"

Since I saw the Internet Movie Firearms Database page on the weapons used in True Grit (1969) showing that several rifles were anachronistic to the era depicted in the movie, I decided to take a look at The Searchers (1956) and the weapons used in the movie after getting the movie in Blu-ray. 

Again, the weapons were anachronistic to the movie's era (c. 1868). 

The IMFDB summary:

The Searchers is the classic 1956 Western directed by John Ford and stars John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, an aged Confederate Civil War veteran who is determined to find his niece (Natalie Wood) who was kidnapped by Comanche Indians. The film takes place only three years following the Civil War, yet features several anachronistic firearms.

Here's one of them:

Above, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) pulls his SAA.

Colt Single Action Army

Several characters use Colt Single Action Army revolvers as their sidearms in the film including Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) and Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter) which is anachronistic as the movie is set three years after the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the Colt SAA did not appear until 1873.

Still, this doesn't detract my enjoyment of the movie.

To read more, go here.

The Restored "The Searchers" Blu-ray

The Blu-ray of the newly-restored The Searchers (1956) with John Wayne, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood, Jeffrey Hunter and Vera Miles arrived two days earlier than expected. John Ford directed.

I have an older DVD version of The Searchers, but the new restored Blu-ray tops it by leaps and bounds. It is absolutely gorgeous!

The Blu-ray source was the original camera negative. Monument Valley, unless you're there, has never looked so good. I was able to see details in scenes I was unable to see before. 

Included are featurettes of the making of The Searchers in and around Monument Valley and the premiere in Chicago. There's also more to enjoy.

It was well worth the wait since the restored movie was premiered in Hollywood early last year.

Interestingly, I've met three of the actors of The Searchers: Patrick Wayne, Hank Worden and Henry Brandon.

If you are a fan of John Wayne or westerns in general, do yourself a favor and get this Blu-ray!

My grade: A+.

John Wayne's "Stagecoach" Rifle

Above, John Wayne in Stagecoach with his Winchester 1892 rifle. 

Ever wondered what lever-action rifle model John Wayne used in the 1939 western classic, Stagecoach? 

According to the Internet Movie Firearms Data Base:

Henry "The Ringo Kid" (John Wayne) uses a Winchester 1892 "Saddle Ring Carbine" with a large lever loop. It is the shorter "Trapper" model that was often the weapon of choice for the actor throughout many of his films.  

The large lever loop allows for one-handed reloading that the actor would make famous in numerous Westerns.

For more on the Winchester 1892 and other guns featured in Stagecoach, go here.

"True Grit" Rifle Bloopers

Above, John Wayne takes aim with his Winchester 1892 carbine. IMFDB photo.

The 1969 True Grit is the beloved movie that garnered John Wayne his one and only Oscar.

However, there are some goofs in the movie when it comes to firearms.

True Grit was also a breakout movie for actor Robert Duvall as the outlaw Ned Pepper. In the movie Pepper carries a Winchester 1894 rifle. There's only one problem with this.

Above, Robert Duvall fires his Winchester 1894. IMFDB photo.

The story was set in 1880, before the Winchester 1894 was made.

Duvall wasn't the only one in the movie who carried a Winchester 1894. Actor Myron Healey also carried one during the scene where Rooster Cogburn (Wayne) unloads a wagon of prisoners.

From the Internet Movie Firearms Database:

A U.S. Marshal helping unload outlaws from the Indian Territory is seen armed with a Winchester Model 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine. He is seen with it in hand when telling Mattie to wait another day to talk to Rooster Cogburn. Later in the film, Ned Pepper is seen with a '94 rifle and fires it into the air to let Rooster know where he is. It clearly has a longer receiver and the more complex lever system under the gun helping tell it from an 1892 rifle. It is anachronistic for the film, which is set in 1880.

John Wayne carried a Winchester 1892 carbine in the movie. That rifle wasn't also around in 1880.

At least Glen Campbell used the correct rifle for the period.

According to the IMFDB:

La Boeuf (Glen Campbell) uses a Sharps 1874 Cavalry Carbine as his rifle of choice throughout the film.

 

Above, Glen Campbell and his Sharps 1874 carbine. IMFDB photo.

Hollywood is notorious for having props that were wrong for different eras. Some sharp-eyed fans have spotted that wrong Jeeps were used in Patton (1970), for example.

"McLintock" Poster Framed

Before going to dinner at Jerry's Café in Gallup last evening, I stopped at the frame shop to pick up the John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara McLintock (1963) poster.

I bought the poster at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum in October in Winterset, Iowa. 

I think the framing work came out nicely.

 

"The Quiet Man" Irish Jaunting Car

Above, the Irish jaunting car from The Quiet Man on display at the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before her passing in 2015, actress Maureen O'Hara was a collector of film memorabilia.

The largest item in her collection was the Irish jaunting or sidecar from the movie The Quiet Man (1952). It was seen throughout the movie.

Above, the jaunting car with a monitor showing it in The Quiet Man.

After her passing, her estate notified the John Wayne Birthplace Museum that it is available but they'd have to act fast and get it. After a professional appraisal, the Museum bought it for the appraised amount of $75,000. 

I saw the jaunting car when I visited the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum last month in Winterset, Iowa.

After it was acquired, the aging wood was restored and new seat cushions were made. 

Donations to the Museum towards the jaunting car are still being accepted. 

For more information on the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, go here.