John Wayne | Hollywood Yesterday

The Quiet Man: One of the Most Beautiful & Enjoyable Movies Ever Made (Review)

April 14, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara

Father Peter Lonergan, Narrator: “Well, then. Now. I’ll begin at the beginnin’. A fine soft day in the spring, it was, when the train pulled into Castletown, three hours late as usual, and himself got off. He didn’t have the look of an American tourist at all about him. Not a camera on him; what was worse, not even a fishin’ rod.”

And with those lines, one of the most special movies you’ll ever have the privilege of watching begins.

One of my absolute favorite actresses is Maureen O’Hara. Right up there with Lucille Ball, Rita Hayworth, and Audrey Hepburn.

Two of my favorite actors are John Wayne and Barry Fitzgerald.

How could one of my favorite movies NOT be The Quiet Man?! I mean, some things are just destiny.

Maureen O’Hara in The Quiet Man

Although.. truth be told… the writing, scenery, production, dialogue, direction – the EVERYTHING about The Quiet Man is so perfect, I have a feeling it would be one of my favorite movies even if these three exceptional stars weren’t in it.

But am I ever glad they are.

Director John Ford created an absolute MASTERPIECE with The Quiet Man – a masterpiece wherein every single thing is perfect. While the cast is as wonderful as a cast can possibly be, they’re darn near upstaged by the incredible scenery! In a word, Ireland is breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking.

Everything about The Quiet Man is phenomenal – the music, the scenery, the acting, the cast, the wardrobe, the dialogue, the writing. When I first watched it, years ago, I remember thinking (several times throughout the movie), “Please don’t take a bad turn… I’m falling in love with you.. please don’t go bad!”

We’ve all had movies suddenly go from great to awful, halfway through or at the end. In fact, I’ve had THREE in the last month go from 10s to 3s within the last 30 minutes! When a movie goes south, it always feels like a blow, doesn’t it?

I was so thankful when The Quiet Man just kept getting better and better with each passing minute.

John Wayne plays Sean Thornton, an ex-boxer from America who had a horrifying experience in the ring and has moved to Ireland to reclaim a family homestead and escape his past. Right off the bat, in one of the most beautiful scenes in film history, Sean notices Mary Kate Danaher (perfectly portrayed by Maureen O’Hara). She’s (obviously) a very beautiful and spirited woman who happens to be the sister of a hot-head named “Red” Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen). Both of the Danahers (to varying enjoyable degrees!) cause trouble for Sean.

Mary Kate Danaher: Could you use a little water in your whiskey?

Michaleen Flynn: When I drink whiskey, I drink whiskey; and when I drink water, I drink water.

The relationship that develops between Sean and Mary Kate could not be more enjoyable – the chemistry between the two stars is palpable and the writing is superb. John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara were friends in real life and they worked magic when they were on the screen. This was the second of five movies they made together.

While the love story is a wonderful, huge part of the movie, it doesn’t strike me as purely a romantic movie. Will’s nastiness and the underlying plot of Sean trying to escape himself, to an extent, make for a compelling and fascinating movie.

When I stop and think about The Quiet Man, the thing that truly stands out is the characters. There are so many larger than life, lovable, and FUN characters in this film – they are a joy to watch. John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara lead the way, certainly, but The Quiet Man would not be the perfect movie that it is without Barry Fitzgerald as the wonderful Michaleen Oge Flynn or Ward Bond as Father Peter Lonergan.

The characters in this film stay with you long after you’ve seen the movie.

It’s one of those movies, too, that seems to be EVEN better each time you watch it. I think it’s because you notice new things each time – and everything is so stunningly wonderful about this film, noticing new things is a huge positive. You “catch” new lines of dialogue, too. I’ve seen the movie quite a few times and I often hear something one of the characters says and think, “I didn’t know he/she said that…’ The reason is there are so many wonderful lines, you’re often laughing at one while another is being said!

Fast Facts About The Quiet Man

The Quiet Man is one of the few Hollywood films in which Gaelic (the native Irish language) is spoken…. and it is a beautiful, beautiful thing. It adds to the authenticity of the movie so much.
Green, Ireland’s national color, can be seen in every scene of this beautiful movie.
In the famous scene where Sean finds Mary Kate in his cottage, the wind blew her hair so wildly that she kept squinting. Apparently John Ford screamed at her with a stream of profanity… something that didn’t go over well with Maureen O’Hara! Apparently she yelled back at him, “What would a bald-headed son of a bitch know about hair lashing across his eyeballs.” Sigh. I love her so.
Cast members Charles B. Fitzsimons (Hugh Forbes) and James O’Hara (Father Paul) were Maureen O’Hara’s younger brothers.
John Wayne described why the role of Sean Thornton (considered one of his best) was difficult to portray: “For nine weeks I was just playing straight man to those wonderful characters, and that’s really hard.”
Barry Fitzgerald, who plays the character of the Roman Catholic Michaleen Oge Flynn (not only one of the best characters in this movie, but one of the most enjoyable ones in any movie as far as I’m concerned!), and Arthur Shields, who played the Protestant vicar Cyril ‘Snuffy’ Playfair, were brothers in real life.
I’ve read that when Maureen O’Hara passed away (2015), she did so while listening to Victor Young’s score to The Quiet Man.
In 1986, a New York police officer, was shot and paralyzed on the job. His young wife mentioned to reporters that The Quiet Man was her husband’s favorite movie and that he was a huge fan of Maureen O’Hara. After reading this, Maureen O’Hara flew to New York to meet the officer and lift his spirits! She became involved with the couple as he recovered, attended their baby’s christening, and even marched in a parade on his behalf. Phenomenal woman… phenomenal.
The Quiet Man was Maureen O’Hara’s favorite of her movies.
The scene where Sean and Mary Kate take a stroll through the countryside is so beautiful and so perfect, it leaves me speechless. Okay, so this is more an opinion than a “fast fact,” but.. well, there you have it.

There are many movies I would “make” people watch if I had the power. You know how it is when you love a movie so much you want everyone else to experience the joy for themselves. This is one of those movies I recommend to others… then frequently bug them by asking, “Have you watched The Quiet Man yet??”

I don’t mind being a pest when it comes to The Quiet Man. In fact, I insist upon it. Speaking of which, have you watched The Quiet Man yet?

John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in The Quiet Man

John Wayne Coffee Mug with Rifle Handle

January 30, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

The John Wayne Coffee Mug with Rifle Handle pictured here is pretty darn amazing, isn’t it? Just the sort of mug a John Wayne fan deserves! He really was larger than life. As a movie legend, he was absolutely towering.

My husband and I recently watched The Train Robbers and were reminded, yet again, that nobody did it quite like The Duke did it.

I’ll have the movie review up in a few days but suffice to say I absolutely loved it. It is a perfect 10 out of 10.

Hmmm, most John Wayne movies are. What’s up with that?

Being the Classic Movie fanatic I am (I also answer to Old Movies Nerd), I keep notebooks of movies I’ve seen, along with a ranking (1-10). Naturally, like any good nerd, I categorize them by actor/actress and genre.

John Wayne almost always has a 10 beside his movies.

What can I say, I always enjoy a John Wayne movie – especially a John Wayne western.

Coffee Mug Details

John Wayne mug with rifle handle.
16 oz. ceramic mug for your favorite beverage
Great present for the ultimate John Wayne collector.
Not dishwasher or microwave safe. Hand wash only.

Click here for a closer look. Amazon has a LOT of John Wayne coffee mugs and collectibles. Whether it’s for yourself or someone else in your life, you could shop for a John Wayne fan all day on Amazon.

John Wayne Coffee Mug Features One of His Best Quotes

November 6, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

If you have fans of John Wayne on your Christmas list, here’s a great gift idea. This is the John Wayne Courage Mug and it’s gorgeous. I love the Western-themed colors and the Western font used on the John Wayne quote printed inside the mug (“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”) is absolutely perfect.

Features:

20-ounce Mug
Dishwasher Safe
Microwave Safe
Material: ceramic

Click through the picture or the link for more information.

Also on Amazon: More John Wayne Coffee Mugs

Fun Gift Idea for John Wayne Fans: John Wayne Comic Boks

September 30, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

Over the many years of publishing this Old Hollywood blog, I’ve discovered just how many fans of John Wayne there are – as well as how loyal their love for The Duke is! As a fan, myself, I get a huge kick out of hearing from fellow John Wayne fans.

Like a lot of fans of Old Hollywood and Classic Movies, fans of John Wayne love to surround themselves with collectibles – movies, art prints, posters, books, mugs, photos, etc. I recently saw something on Amazon that these fans would get an especially big kick out of: John Wayne Comics.

I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t even know such a thing existed, until I saw the comic pictured here, John Wayne Adventure Comics Number 1. What a fun gift idea this would be for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries… or anytime for that matter.

John Wayne was (and IS for those of us who watch more old movies than new) one of the biggest movie stars of all-time. His impressive career spanned from 1930 to 1976 and turned out some of the most memorable movies and characters in movie history.

While The Duke is remembered mostly as a cowboy, he starred in nearly 200 motion pictures, which weren’t all Westerns. In fact, he played a wide variety of roles… and, yet…. whenever I think of John Wayne, he is always in a cowboy hat and almost always on a horse.

From 1949 until 1955, he starred in a series of 31 comic books, which are now, apparently, pretty difficult to find in circulation.

Whether you want to start a collection for yourself or someone you love, Amazon makes rounding up this particular cowboy much easier!

Rio Bravo Trivia, Movie Poster, and Video Clip

May 10, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

Every now and then I get an overwhelming urge to watch a particular movie. Sometimes it’s a musical like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Oklahoma, Wizard of Oz, or My Fair Lady. Other times it’s a classic like Gone With the Wind, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Casablanca, or Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Other times, the only thing that I want from life is an evening with an Abbot and Costello or the Three Stooges.

In all honesty, however, the type of movie I crave time with the most often is a good old-fashioned Western – specifically a John Wayne Western. And if we’re going to get even more specific.. it’s usually Rio Bravo, El Dorado, or Rio Grande that I need in my life!

While I love all three, if I had to choose one it’d be Rio Bravo. Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, and Walter Brennan make this movie (in my opinion). In fact, as far as I’m concerned you could have named it Dude, Feathers, and Stumpy instead of Rio Bravo.

Okay, maybe that’s going a little far, but you get the idea. How Hollywood kept from putting Angie Dickinson in more starring roles is beyond me. She’s the perfect combination of talent and beauty. Well, she’s the perfect combination of a lot of things, but we won’t get into that right now!

Rio Bravo Trivia

The sets were built to 7/8th scale which allows the stars to appear larger than life.
Claude Akins recalled that during filming all the actors found themselves starting to talk like the Duke. John Wayne wasn’t amused.
Ricky Nelson turned 18 years old just days into shooting the movie.
Rio Bravo is included on Roger Ebert’s “Great Movies” list.
Director Howard Hawks wanted an actor in the role of Colorado who would draw teenagers. Allegedly, his first choice for the role was Elvis Presley. While Elvis was interested in the role (some people even say he was pretty excited about it), his manager (Colonel Tom Parker) not only wanted too much money but also top billing. Can you imagine – billing over The Duke?! Not happening.
Although Rio Bravo was actually a 1959 release, the opening credits say 1958.
Walter Brennan once said that, after Rio Bravo, when people would meet him for the first time, they’d expect him to limp like Stumpy. He said he just chalked it up to good acting – after all he had to remember which leg to limp on in each scene!
For most of the film Chance (John Wayne) has the front of his cowboy hat turned up to make him look friendlier and more approachable. However at the point in the movie where Chance has to stand up to the villain, the front of the hat is turned down, making him appear more menacing and tough.
For the first four minutes of the film, (including credits), there is no dialogue.
Included among the “1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.”
Angie Dickinson was cast in the role of Feathers after Howard Hawks saw her on an episode of Perry Mason.
Rio Bravo was HUGE in Italy. It actually led the way for the legendary (and fun) Spaghetti Westerns era.
Members of the Western Writers of America chose “My Rifle, My Pony, and Me” as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. (Video Below)

Rio Bravo singing scene with Dean Martin & Ricky Nelson:

Find the great looking Rio Bravo Movie Poster pictured above on Amazon.

John Wayne Brand Socks: With the Promise of Honor America

March 30, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

Have you seen the John Wayne Cowboy Boot Socks on Amazon? They are sharp, let me tell you.

If you click the link above, you’ll see the entire collection.

40% Wool, 40% Polypropelene, 10% Nylon, 7% Polyester, 3% Spandex
Made in USA
Durable
Strategic Cushioning
Reinforced heel and toe to improve wear and durability
Arch Support keeps sock in place and provides added support in the arch of your foot
Light Weight with Natural Breathability and softness

See the entire beautiful collection by visiting John Wayne Cowboy Boot Socks.

John Wayne Courage Is Coffee Mug… Gorgeous!

August 11, 2016 By Joi Leave a Comment

I’ve always loved this quote from John Wayne, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” That’s just vintage John Wayne and sounds like it could have rolled off the tongue of any of his larger than life characters.

The John Wayne Quote Coffee Mug pictured here is nothing but gorgeous. It’d make a wonderful gift idea for anyone in your life… including yourself.

Design: Deep teal mug has a brown rim. The center of the mug has a cream embossed design with a western scene. The back of the mug has a decal message “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”
Size: 4 1/2″ H X 3″ Opening; Holds 18 oz
Material: Porcelain
Dishwasher/Microwave safe, FDA approved

Rio Bravo: It’s Never the Wrong Time to Watch this Classic Western

August 14, 2015 By Joi Leave a Comment

Fun Every Time You Watch it: Rio Bravo

I guess the fact that I am infatuated with Westerns shouldn’t surprise me – my dad was one of the three biggest Westerns fans in the entire world. Literally, the first movies I remember watching involve cowboys, dirt roads, shootouts, ladies in long skirts, and lots of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. Even some of my earliest television memories are of Gunsmoke.

Now married to another Western fan, my love for the genre continues. I was once asked who I preferred in Westerns, John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. I told them that was like asking me to choose between coffee and sweet tea – the answer is whichever one’s in front of me at the moment.

Two of my favorite all-time Westerns are Rio Bravo (1959) and El Dorado (1966). Even today, they’re just good, clean, outrageous fun to watch. I actually feel sorry for anyone who can’t sit back and enjoy a good old movie and simply take it for what it is. F-U-N.

Although I love James Caan’s Mississippi in El Dorado about as much as I love any movie character (and Robert Mitchum is mesmerizing as Sherrif J.P. Harrah ), I’d say my favorite of the two is Rio Bravo…. but just by a “feather.”

John Wayne, Dean Martin, Walter Brennan, Angie Dickinson, and Ricky Nelson – with a cast like this, how could it not be a classic? Although it’s darn near impossible to pick any out of that group, I’d (personally) say that Martin, Dickinson, and Brennan make the movie extra special.

In a pretty limited role – Carlos Robante, as Pedro, is also the very definition of scene-stealer.

Plot: In a small town in Texas, John Wayne is Sheriff John T. Chance. Along with his “drunk” deputy/friend, Dude (portrayed brilliantly by Dean Martin), a crankly old man deputy with a limp “Stumpy” (Walter Brennan at his best), and a singing young sure-shot named Colorado (a VERY young Ricky Nelson), he has to keep an eye on a murderer whose very wealthy and powerful brother is trying to break out of jail. As if Sheriff Chance doesn’t have his hands full with these characters, a beautiful distraction named Feathers (beautifully played by Angie Dickinson) comes to town on the stagecoach. She’s mysterious, chatty, and filled with equal amounts of energy and trouble.

Let the games begin!

I could watch this movie once a week and never complain – even though I’m pretty sure I could quote every line that comes out of “Stumpy” and “Feathers.” How are you going to miss with names like those? The wonderful Walter Brennan (Stumpy) and too gorgeous to even be believed or forgiven Angie Dickinson (Feathers) are at their best – and that’s saying something.

If you’ve never watched Rio Bravo or El Dorado, I’d whole-heartedly recommend buying the DVDs. You’ll fall in love with both movies. If you HAVE seen them, watch them again.

Somehow they just get better and better with each viewing.

DVDs on AMAZON: Rio Bravo and El Dorado

My Rifle, My Pony, and Me/Cindy – Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Walter Brennan:

Rio Bravo Trivia

The sets were built to 7/8th scale, so the performers look larger than life.
Ricky Nelson celebrated his 18th birthday during filming of Rio Bravo.
Director Howard Hawks didn’t want Ricky Nelson in the role of Colorado. He thought he was too young and unproven to handle his own with Martin and Wayne. He was so sour on the idea that he deliberately gave Nelson the fewest possible number of lines he could for a third-billed star. Undoubtedly, after Ricky Nelson proved himself (and surely helped with the success of the movie), he realized he’d been wrong.
Howard Hawks’ first choice for Colorado was actually Elvis Presley! Elvis was excited about the idea but his manager asked for too much money along with… get this.. top billing! Over John Wayne! Naturally Hawks and Wayne would have none of it, so the search for Colorado continued. Elvis Presley went on to join the US army in March 1958, two months before filming of Rio Bravo began.
One of the movie’s most famous fans is none other than actor/producer/writer Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino has said that before he enters into a relationship with a girl, he shows her Rio Bravo. If she doesn’t like it, the deal is off – there is no relationship! I can appreciate that.
John Wayne was 51 during the filming of Rio Bravo.
Montgomery Clift, who happened to be a very liberal Democrat, turned down the role of Dude because he’d have to work with very conservative Republicans John Wayne and Walter Brennan. Clift suggested Dean Martin for the role and the rest is history.

John Wayne Hondo Poster and DVD

July 16, 2015 By Joi Leave a Comment

Hondo John Wayne Poster

In the 1953 Western Hondo , John Wayne portrayed the role of Army dispatch rider Hondo Lane. The plot entails Hondo finding a woman and her son living in the midst of warring Apaches. Naturally, he feels compelled to become their protector.

The movie stars Geraldine Page as Angie Lowe and James Arness (best known to all of us as Marshal Dillon) as an Army Indian Scout.

Buy the Full Screen DVD on Amazon: Hondo.

Did You Know?

Pal, the dog that played Sam, was the son of the one and only Lassie.
Katharine Hepburn was originally planned to star in the role of Angie. However, as the script continued to come together, the female role grew smaller – soon becoming one that wouldn’t be suitable for a star of Hepburn’s stature.
Katharine Hepburn and John Wayne would finally become co-stars more than twenty years later in Rooster Cogburn (1975).
Apparently the very liberal and “left wing” Geraldine Page did not see eye-to-eye, politically, with her right-wing co-stars John Wayne, Ward Bond, James Arness and John Farrow.
After viewing the finished film at a private screening, John Wayne jokingly said, “I’ll be damned if I’m not the stuff men are made of!”
Hondo was the film debut for the Broadway actress Geraldine Page.
Geraldine Page was offered the role of Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), but she turned it down. Louise Fletcher, who then took the role, went on to win the Best Actress Oscar for the performance.
Very often in his career, the 6’7″ James Arness was surrounded by co-stars standing on apple boxes. Other times, he actually had to stand in a ditch so everyone would fit in one shot!
James Arness got the role of Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke in 1955 after John Wayne suggested it. Although rumor has it that Wayne turned down the role, he was never offered the role.
Made four movies with his close friend John Wayne during the 1950s.

Top Gift Ideas for John Wayne Fans

December 9, 2014 By Joi Leave a Comment

When I saw the great looking throw, above, on Amazon.com, the first thing I thought was, “My dad would have LOVED this!”

The second thing I thought was, “When’s the last time I saw a great old John Wayne western?!” I’m pretty sure it’s been a few months, which is way too long.

If you have a John Wayne fan in your life – or if you’re a fan of the legend, yourself – you’ll want to click through and check out this beauty. Below are even more John Wayne gift ideas. They’re all from Amazon because it’s one of the shopping websites I trust the most. I use Amazon more times than I could ever count and swear by them.

Another great thing about Amazon.com is that you can order gifts and get them delivered FAST – especially if you take advantage of their One Day shipping.

Click through any of the John Wayne gift ideas below for a closer look.