John Wayne | Hollywood Yesterday

Picture of the Day: Constance Towers, William Holden, and John Wayne

December 7, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Constance Towers, John Wayne, and William Holden in The Horse Soldiers

When John Ford and John Wayne got together, magic happened. Add in William Holden and Constance Towers and things are even more magical. The Horse Soldiers (1959) was John Ford’s only film that took place during the Civil War (although he did direct a segment of How the West Was Won (1962) that was set during the Civil War.)

I love historical dramas – one of the reasons, I suppose, is the fact that I’m a history buff. Another reason is the wonderful costumes and sets. The costumes from The Horse Soldiers certainly do not disappoint, especially when it comes to the ridiculously beautiful, graceful, and regal Constance Towers. Seriously, every time I see this actress from her films or television roles, I always think the same thing… “She HAS to be descended from royalty!”

I hate that today’s picture of the day doesn’t show her beautiful face more clearly. I have no idea why she’s so smoky. I tried putting a few effects on the photo to make the fogginess go away, but only made it worse, so I reverted back to the image you see. If I ever find a better version, I will come back and add it.

You can find The Horse Soldiers on Amazon.

Stagecoach (1939): One of John Wayne’s Best Westerns and a Personal Favorite

November 20, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Claire Trevor and John Wayne, Stagecoach

One of my favorite genres of movies is Westerns. My dad was a huge Westerns fan and I watched them with him from the time I was old enough to walk. In fact, my first memories of Westerns involve horses, cowboys, and women in long dresses. John Wayne was one of his favorites and he is, most definitely, one of my own favorites.

Seriously, there aren’t many things better than grabbing raspberry tea, a big bowl of popcorn, and losing yourself in a John Wayne Western for a few hours… two Westerns if you have the time!

I recently re-watched one of my favorite Westerns of all time, Stagecoach, and wanted to take a few minutes to talk about it.

Plot: A group of colorful people are on what should be an uneventful stagecoach trip – two women, a doctor who likes… no, loves.. to drink, a banker, the drivers, and the famous Ringo Kid (John Wayne). The peaceful trip suddenly becomes very eventful when they learn that Geronimo is in the area and looking for big trouble.

The wonderful movie stars an absolutely perfect cast: John Wayne (Ringo Kid), Claire Trevor (Dallas), John Carradine (Hatfield), Andy Devine (Buck), Thomas Mitchell (Doc Josiah Boone), Donald Meek (Samuel Peacock), Louise Platt (Mrs. Lucy Mallory), Berton Churchill (Ellsworth Henry Gatewood), and George Bancroft (Marshal Curley Wilcox).

Continued below the cast photo!

Orson Welles (someone who knows a thing or two about film-making) stated that Stagecoach was the perfect textbook of film-making and said he watched the film more than forty times in preparation for the making of Citizen Kane (1941).

Smart man!

Although John Wayne had minor roles in John Ford’s Mother Machree (1927) and Salute (1929), Stagecoach truly marks the beginning of their partnership. It also, in my opinion, marked the beginning of Wayne’s legendary career.

If you’ve never seen this simply outstanding Western, I hope you’ll get your hands on a copy (or find it on television) as soon as possible. As a bona fide John Wayne fanatic and expert Westerns viewer, I guarantee you this – Stagecoach is one of the best ever made.

Picture of the Day: Gorgeous Promo Pic from The Searchers

November 5, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Searchers: Natalie Wood and John Wayne

The Searchers (1956) turns up on more people’s “Favorite Westerns” lists than probably any other film – and for a good reason. It’s spectacular!

Today’s Picture of the day captures the beauty and heart of this wonderful film with two of its stars, Natalie Wood and John Wayne.

Find The Searchers on Amazon.

The Young Duke: The Early Life of John Wayne

October 30, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Young Duke: The Early Life of John Wayne

As I’ve often said on Hollywood Yesterday, I collect Old Hollywood biographies and autobiographies like it’s my job. I’m content with one or two biographies of some stars, while others are such favorites, I collect anything and everything written about them. John Wayne is one of these “give me one of everything” stars. He’s a favorite and has been since I watched him on television with my day. That may be part of the reason I love The Duke so much. The Young Duke: The Early Life of John Wayne by Howard Kazanjian and Chris Enss is the newest addition to my John Wayne collection and I was anxious to tell you about it.

This book would make a great gift idea for anyone in your life who loves John Wayne. It’s a “fast read” with plenty of pictures, so even those “old cowboys” you love will enjoy it!

In addition to the wonderful content and pictures (lots of things even I didn’t know and quite a few pictures I’d never seen), the book includes great quotes about John Wayne and his influence on family and co-stars. I love these quotes so much because what people say about us is one of the strongest blocks in the building of our legacy.

From the Back Cover:

By the time Stagecoach made John Wayne a silver-screen star in 1939, the thirty-one-year-old was already a veteran of more than sixty films, having twirled six-guns and foiled cattle rustlers in B Westerns for five studios. By the 1950s he was Hollywood’s most popular actor—an Academy Award nominee destined to become an American icon.

Through rare photographs and revealing family anecdotes, The Young Duke offers an unflinching look at how Marion Morrison became the legend known as John Wayne—from his boyhood in Winterset, Iowa, and his days as a college football star, to his stunning box-office success in Westerns and war movies in the 1930s and 1940s. Shedding new light on Wayne’s formative years and early Hollywood roles and influences, this stirring biography uncovers the true stories behind the screen legend’s public and private lives.

About the Authors:

Chris Enss is an award-winning screenwriter and the author or coauthor of more than two dozen books.

Howard Kazanjian is an award-winning producer and entertainment executive who for three decades has been producing television programs and feature films, including two of the highest grossing films of all time, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

Great Addition to a Collection

There are, of course, more detailed biographies of John Wayne – many delve into his life and you can spend glorious weeks reading every detail. This book is a much different book from other biographies. Would it provide a complete picture of John Wayne, the actor or the man? No – certainly not. This book was intended more for a “quick read” or for collectors, like me, who simply must have everything related to their favorite stars!

This is a great addition to any biography collection and a very fun read. Whereas some biographies are “heavy” with filmographies, research, quotes, and information, this one is “light.”

When you want a fast-paced overview of a star’s life, sometimes that’s just what you’re looking for!

Find The Young Duke: The Early Life of John Wayne on Amazon or in your favorite second-hand bookstore.

His Private Secretary (1933): Evalyn Knapp and John Wayne Star in a FUN Pre-Code

September 24, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Evalyn Knapp, John Wayne, and Natalie Kingston in His Private Secretary (1933)

In His Private Secretary, John Wayne is Dick Wallace – a playboy who is as AGAINST working as his workaholic father is FOR working. He wants very little to do with work OR his father’s advice about women… or anything else, for that matter. When Dick meets beautiful Marion Hall (Evalyn Knapp), sparks fly. They fall in love and elope. Unfortunately, Marion Dick’s father doesn’t approve of Mario, as he believes she’s nothing but a gold-digger

In an effort to prove herself, she takes a job at the senior Wallace’s office, using her maiden name. She’s able to fool her father-in-law because he has refused to meet his son’s new bride.

Or so he thinks.

Here’s the pre-code movie in its entirety. It’s a real jolt to see John Wayne in a non-cowboy role, but after you get past the lack of horses and guns, the movie is a lot of fun. I actually love it. I’d love to have a really good copy of it, as you can tell, this one is an old movie and LOOKS it – fortunately we old movie lovers are used to that sort of thing.

This really is a great little movie and the cast is outstanding. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

The John Wayne Way to Grill: Recipes and Stories Shared by Duke’s Family

July 10, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Official John Wayne How to Grill just went tumbling into my Amazon cart. (A) I love John Wayne and collect books, dvds, and memorabilia involving him. (B) I collect cookbooks and Old Hollywood books – making this a solid “two in one.” and (C) THE RECIPES SOUND DELICIOUS!

Sorry for yelling, but this gal gets worked up about food.

The Official John Wayne How to Grill contains more than 100 of John Wayne’s favorite recipes, from Tex-Mex classics to the best of Western barbecue and everything in between.

While the collection of recipes sounds phenomenal, by itself, this official John Wayne cookbook is much more than just a recipe book. It is packed with rare photos, personal anecdotes and heartwarming stories about the Duke, from the people who knew him best.

With an introduction by his son Ethan Wayne, The Official John Wayne How to Grill is exactly the next thing this collector needs in her collection.

Click through for more information.

As soon as my copy gets here, I’ll let you know more about it. I just wanted to give you a heads up before Grilling Season gets too far along.

McLintock! Starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara…. Love This One!

June 27, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

While I have a great number of “favorites”when it comes to actresses and actors from Old Hollywood, Maureen O’Hara and Lucille Ball are my measuring sticks. All others are held up to them as a means of determining if they’ve achieved “absolute favorite” status or not.

Some make it. Some don’t.

I had just as soon be sitting in front of a Maureen O’Hara movie as anyplace in the world. Even one I’ve seen far more times than I could even begin to count. Which, if we’re being honest is most of them.

It’s just that way with measuring sticks, you know.

The Quiet Man, McLintock, How Green Was My Valley, Rio Grande, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Parent Trap, The Black Swan… she has had some incredible movies – which makes being a fan extra fun.

McLintock (1963) is one of my favorites. John Wayne is one of those stars who passed the measuring test and made “absolute favorite” status – which means I watch movies he and Maureen were in together often… make that OFTEN. It’s actually playing right now as I work online.

It may or may not be the third time I’ve seen it just this year. It is.

Westerns are just in my blood. Sometimes I think I’d rather watch a bad Western than a good movie from another genre. Naturally, a good Western is preferable and, cowboy oh cowboy, is McLintock ever a good one?! It’s hilarious, fun, colorful, and just an awful lot of fun.

I think of McLintock as a Comedy-Romantic Western because it’s quite a bit different from Action Westerns (or Traditional Westerns) such as Stagecoach, Rio Bravo, El Dorado, The Undefeated, etc. If you go into McLintock looking for lots of action and shoot-outs, you’ll be left wondering what in the heck happened.

But if you go into it looking for an awful lot of fun and laughs and a little bit of romance, you’ll have a great time.

I should know!

The movie stars John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara as an estranged married couple. Stephanie Powers is their daughter. Patrick Wayne (John Wayne’s son), Yvonne DeCarlo, and Jerry Van Dyke are part of the excellent cast. Jerry Van Dyke’s role isn’t a big one but it’s a heckuva memorable one.

You can see the movie below in its entirety, so grab your popcorn and kick back for a fun ride.

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.

How Well Do You Know Maureen O’Hara?

December 22, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

Maureen O’Hara as Esmerelda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Beautiful Maureen O’Hara has long been one of my favorite actresses. I first saw her in Miracle on 34th Street and remember thinking, even as a child, that she was extraordinarily beautiful and compelling. Of course, I had no idea what compelling meant at that time, but I knew she was all over it.

The second movie I remember seeing her in was The Parent Trap with Brian Keith. Still gorgeous and still compelling – and this time I understood the word. You just cannot look away when she’s commanding a scene.

Growing up with a father who loved Westerns like kids love candy (that’s where I get my infatuation with Westerns from), I’d go on to see her very, very often alongside one of our favorite cowboys, John Wayne.

While Maureen O’Hara starred with John Wayne in five films, it often felt like she was in every other one. In each film they starred in together, they portrayed a married couple. John Ford directed the first three:

Rio Grande (1950)
The Quiet Man (1952)
The Wings of Eagles (1957)
McLintock! (1963)
Big Jake (1971).

She and John Wayne remained friends until his death. In fact, in her home in St. Croix, she had a wing she actually called the John Wayne Wing because he stayed there while visiting.

Fast Facts About the Compelling Maureen O’Hara:

She was having lunch with Lucille Ball when Lucy first saw Desi Arnaz. She and Lucille were lifelong friends.
Was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
She became an American citizen on January 25, 1946 but retained her Irish citizenship. It was the first time in history that the United States government recognized an Irish citizen as Irish, leading to a change in process for all Irish immigrants.
An exceptional typist, she typed some of her own scripts and rewrites.
In 1993, she was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
Gave birth to her only child, daughter Bronwyn Brigid Price (aka Bronwyn FitzSimons) in 1944. Bronwyn was named after the character played by Anna Lee, Maureen’s co-star, in How Green Was My Valley (1941).
She was one of four actresses to be nicknamed “Queen of Technicolor”. The other three: Maria Montez, Yvonne De Carlo, and Rhonda Fleming.
She was the second actress (Myrna Loy was the first) to receive an honorary Academy Award without ever having been nominated previously.
Bronwyn’s son Conor Beau FitzSimons became a hairdresser who owns his own line called “The Red Collection“, honoring his famous grandmother.
Maureen got her daughter started in movies with a cameo in Spencer’s Mountain(1963). Though a gifted actress, Bronwyn dropped out of films after a brief career and began a family.
A Conservative Republican, she supported the Presidencies of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George Bush and George W. Bush.
Maureen O’Hara was the last credited cast member of Miracle on 34th Street to pass away (October 24, 2015 in Idaho). She is buried at Arlington Cemetery, beside her late husband Charles Blair, a great military officer.

Continued Below…

John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, and Claude Jarman, Jr. in Rio Grande

Maureen O’Hara Quotes

“Every star has that certain something that stands out and compels us to notice them. As for me I have always believed my most compelling quality to be my inner strength, something I am easily able to share with an audience. I’m very comfortable in my own skin. I never thought my looks would have anything to do with becoming a star. Yet it seems that in some ways they did.”

“I made John Wayne sexy. I take credit for that.”

(About some of her leading men.) “I enjoyed James Stewart, I enjoyed Brian Keith and I enjoyed Henry Fonda. Jeff Chandler was a nice man but a bad actor.”

(When asked what her most marked characteristic was.) “The hell and fire in me. They came as a set.”

“Speaking as an actress, I wish all actors would be more like Duke (John Wayne), and speaking as a person, it would be nice if all people could be honest and as genuine as he is. This is a real man.”
(About Walt Disney referring to her as, “That bi*ch.”) “I don’t mind what he said. He didn’t like me because I wouldn’t let him get out of a contract. Not many people had the guts to stand up to him. At least he didn’t think of me and say, ‘That wimp’.”

“I proved there was a bloody good actress in me. It wasn’t just my face. I gave bloody good performances.”