John Wayne :: essays research papers

The Duke takes his place in history.John Wayne, one of America&8217s greatest actors anddirectors of all time. His fame and superstardom led to some(prenominal)problems in his career. His image as an icon of Americanindividualism and the frontier spirit has overshadowed hiscareer to such an extent that it is almost impossible for thefans and writers to separate Wayne the figment from Waynethe actor and Wayne the man. Before the start of his movie career he played footballat USC under his birth name, Marion Michael Morrison. Heheld many behind-the-scene jobs at drop before moving infront of the cameras in the late 1920&8217s in a series of small agencys. Director John Ford, who befriended &8220 the Duke,recommended him for the lead role in Raoul Walsh&8217s westernepic, The Big Trail. Wayne did not let the stardom go to hishead. He spent the rest of the decade making his waythrough a series of low budget strikes whose failing budgetsand quick shooting schedules did little to adva nce his career. In 1939 John Ford gave Wayne another break by form him as the Ringo Kid in Stagecoach. The roll threwWayne into the top ranks of the movie stars and finally, inthe 1940&8217s, his legend began to take shape. Relieved frommilitary duty due to physical problems, Wayne became thefilm industry&8217s hard-core soilder, but had that compassionateside. Movies released during the war, such as Flying Tigers (1942), The Fighting Seabees (1944) and Back to Bataan(1945) left Wayne with some pretty big tog to fill.The movies that he made at the end of the decadewere the ones that established him as an actor of merit. Howard Hawks emphasized the willful side of Wayne&8217s screenpersona by giving him the part in Red River (1948). Heplayed the part of Tom Dunson, a difficult, unlikeable yetcompelling character. Two other films direct by John Fordquickly followed. Fort Apache (1948) and She wore a YellowRibbon (1949).For a good part of the 50&8217s and 60&8217s Wayne took part inse veral small pictures. Standard western and action moviesbut nothing too dynamic. Because of the numerous filmsthough he was financially in good setting. In 1969 he wonBest Actor Oscar for True Grit, a light-hearted if notparticularly impressive performance. Wayne&8217s final role was sure his best of the decade. In the Shootist, he played adying gunman who is just beginning to understand his ownlife and legend. What a man.John Wayne, you every love him or you hate him. Although there are not many people that dislike him.