Not afraid hell be killed, but afraid hes dying, which is the last thing we anticipated a john wayne character would do of his own accord. Books, played by john wayne, rides in the shootist, and gives to gillom dollar ol dollar had been the actors favorite horse for 10 years the horse shown during the final scene of true grit, directed by henry hathaway and waynes oscar winning film, was dollar, a twoyearold in 1969 wayne had dollar, a chestnut quarter horse gelding, written into the. While the shootist unintentionally became iconic actor john waynes final film when released to theaters in august 1976, many fans may not realize that the. Oct 27, 2016 while the shootist unintentionally became iconic actor john waynes final film when released to theaters in august 1976, many fans may not realize that the duke had another project in the. Costarring ron howard and lauren bacall, waynes director was don siegel.
Shootist, the internet movie firearms database guns in. Taking place in a rapidly modernizing world filled with old friends and stubborn ideals, the shootist served as john waynes swan song before dying of cancer in 1979. The bad acoustics of the huge, hollow sound stages worsened his hearing difficulties, and he stayed by himself most of the. Made in 1976, three years before he died, john waynes last picture, the shootist, in which he plays an aging cowboy dying of cancer, became.
What was the name of the cat in john waynes last movie. May 26, 1907 june 11, 1979, known professionally as john wayne and nicknamed duke, was an american actor, director, producer and presidential medal of freedom recipient. Krebspeterson house, 500 mountain street, carson city, nevada. The entire cast did a masterpiece of acting, maybe for wayne and his true illness. Books john wayne leave town, and thrilled at the news he hears, in waynes last movie, the shootist, 1976. John wayne in a scene from the shootist 1976, made when he was terminally ill with cancer. No, john wayne wasnt dying when he made the shootist. Actual figures vary because wayne did so many obscure films early in his career, but it was around his 175th film. The shootist 2001, dvd one of my favorite john wayne movies, in part, because he was facing the same health issues in real life as his character in this film. John waynes the shootist trivia quiz shootist, the. Dec, 2009 the shootist represents john waynes swan song, the final film where the legend that is john wayne appeared on the screen.
The film was directed by don siegel and costarred ron howard, bill mckinney, and harry morgan the following weapons were used in the film the shootist. Directed by 1 writing credits 3 cast 35 produced by 2 music by 1 cinematography by 1 film editing by 1 production design by 1 set decoration by 1 makeup department 3 production management 1 second unit director or assistant director 2. Ironically, in john waynes last motion picture, the shootist, he didnt use colts but rather a pair of presentationgrade replica revolvers. The supporting cast includes lauren bacall, ron howard, james stewart, richard boone, hugh obrian, harry morgan, john carradine. Behindthescenes of john waynes last film the shootist. In 1969, life magazine captured the western star born may 26, 1907 during the filming of the movie the undefeated. John wayne colt single action army the lone ranger actor john distinguish between thing 1 western movies cowboy and cowgirl cowboy gear. Three years later, the great actor himself succumbed to. The shootist is a terrific western starring the legendary john wayne. It is john wayne s final film, and possibly his best performance. Beau john the untold story of john waynes last film project. Wayne, of course, essentially invented the onscreen american cowboy. Knowing that his death will be painful and lingering, books is determined to be shot in the line of duty. The shootist is a 1976 american western film directed by don siegel and based on glendon swarthout s 1975 novel of the same name.
Earlier, i was flipping through the channels and landed on the shootist, john waynes last movie. Beau john the untold story of john waynes last film. Posted on december 30, 2015 by raymond on film, a raymond creativity publication 2 comments. He was among the top box office draws for three decades famous for his roles in western films wayne was born in winterset, iowa but grew up in southern. Mar 05, 2014 john wayne s last film was to be the shootist. This will be a quiz on one of the most unique westerns ever filmed. The shootist 1976 was his last feature but he was featured in america at the movies 1976 and western double feature 2. After playing in the shootist john wayne managed to resist the cancer for three more years, before finally succumbing in june 1979. Wayne had hated and insulted siegel back in earlier days, when someone mistakenly told him siegel was a. The film was directed by don siegel and costarred ron howard, bill mckinney, and harry morgan the following weapons were used in.
Don siegels the shootist and the problem of john wayne. The shootist eloquent last hurrah for a man who superseded mere movie star status to become an icon of american culture, with wayne playing aging, legendary gunfighter j. What was the name of john waynes horse in his last movie. He left behind him a legacy of 184 films, of which the latter 102 beginning with stagecoach in 1939 made him into a unique legend of cinema. It is not my favorite, but, since it is the dukes final film, i have seen it several times. Books, played by john wayne, rides in the shootist, and gives to gillom dollar ol dollar had been the actors favorite horse for 10 years.
Filming his last movie was very unsteady due to waynes worsening health. Spitting images of colt saa revolvers, the replicas were specially hand engraved by carl e. Don siegel dirty harry directs it with an autumnal. The last shootist is the sequel to the classic western the shootist a book that is not nearly as well known as john waynes final film. The shootist represents john waynes swan song, the final film where the legend that is john wayne appeared on the screen. Wayne has taken ridicule for just playing himself, this movie and a few others prove that it just wasnt true. It is john waynes final film, and possibly his best performance. In his last movie, the shootist 1976, wayne portrayed an aging gunfighter dying of cancer. Sep 01, 2006 ironically, in john waynes last motion picture, the shootist, he didnt use colts but rather a pair of presentationgrade replica revolvers. John wayne managed to live for 70 years but because of his illness, his aged body started to break down much faster. Jun 11, 2018 the shootist was john waynes final movie role and no actor, before or since, had a more fitting last appearance on the silver screen. The film is based on a 1975 novel of the same name by glendon swarthout with a screenplay by miles hood swarthout and scott hale. He didnt like the fact he hadnt been offered the role of the aging and ailing gunfighter j.
In his remaining two months, books settles scores with old enemies, including gambler pulford hugh obrian and marshall thibido. John wayne s last feature film appropriately revolved around the death of an iconic gunfighter and the end of the old west itself. Onset interviews with john wayne and behindthescenes footage of wayne s last film the shootist from director don siegel. May 9, 2006 by emanuellevy made in 1976, three years before he died, john waynes last picture, the shootist, in which he plays an aging cowboy dying of cancer, became a most appropriate swan song to his illustrious 50year screen career.
Afflicted with a terminal illness, john bernard books, the last of the legendary gunfighters, quietly returns to carson city for medical attention from his old friend dr. Marion michael morrison born marion robert morrison. While the shootist unintentionally became iconic actor john waynes final film when released to theaters in august 1976, many fans may not realize that the duke had another project in the. John wayne s claustrophobic last film john wayne was disappointed by the shootist. With a wonderful supporting cast and an interesting plot, many people find this movie to be one of john wayne s finest works. Brooks first that honour had been taken by george c. This was a pilot for a weekly series that didnt sell, wayne was not involved. Onset interviews with john wayne and behindthescenes footage of waynes last film the shootist from director don siegel. John waynes last great filmcareer summation and tribute. Still it is great and holds up today extremely well.
Theres a calmness in the plot of this film that i find very refreshing. With john wayne, lauren bacall, ron howard, james stewart. Jun 22, 2018 the shootist is one of the greatest westerns ever made, although it is rarely named as such. Why was the shootist john waynes last movie answers. The shootist eloquent last hurrah for a man who superseded mere moviestar status to become an icon of american culture, with wayne playing aging, legendary gunfighter j. Spoilers 4 james stewart only agreed to play a cameo role in the film because john wayne had specifically requested him. The shootist has been my favorite john wayne movie since it came out in 1976. The shootist is the 1976 western that marked the final acting role for john wayne, who portrays an aging gunfighter dying of cancer who faces one last duel. May 31, 2017 dont mess with john wayne secrets from the shootist with the screenwriter miles swarthout duration. Costarring ron howard and lauren bacall, wayne s director was don siegel. The film opens with a montage from the dukes earlier pictures providing. Books is the last in a line of tormented souls, starting with matt dunston and running through nathan brittles, ethan edwards, spig wead, tom doniphon, and rooster cogburn.
The shootist featured a cast of famous actors who came together to support wayne known to be in bad health with the possibility that it would be his last film. Sep 02, 2014 the last shootist is the sequel to the classic western the shootist a book that is not nearly as well known as john wayne s final film. There s a calmness in the plot of this film that i find very refreshing. All carson city thirty years ago, loads of dirt were dumped on the street in front of the governors mansion and other homes on carson citys west side. The result was the shootist, a rich and elegiac western and, says philip horne, a fitting swansong for hollywoods most courageous gunslinger. Apr 15, 2020 john wayne fought cancer with his boots on. In this, waynes last film, he plays an aging gunfighter dying of cancer, trying to go out with dignity. While the shootist unintentionally became iconic actor john wayne s final film when released to theaters in august 1976, many fans may not realize that the duke had another project in the pipeline. John waynes last feature film appropriately revolved around the death of an iconic gunfighter and the end of the old west itself. It was directed by don siegel and is based on a 1975 novel of the same name by glendon swarthout. Top 10 best john wayne movies of all time moviebabble. The shootist is one of the greatest westerns ever made, although it is rarely named as such. Dont mess with john wayne secrets from the shootist with the screenwriter miles swarthout duration.
All carson city thirty years ago, loads of dirt were dumped on the street in front of the governors mansion and other homes on. The horse shown during the final scene of true grit, directed by henry hathaway. Books, the most celebrated shootist extant, in turnofthecentury carson city, nevada. Taking place in a rapidly modernizing world filled with old friends and stubborn ideals, the shootist served as john wayne s swan song before dying of cancer in 1979. John waynes last movie, the shootist raymond on film.
During the making of the shootist 1976, don siegels rich, elegiac western about. He was among the top box office draws for three decades famous for his roles in western films wayne was born in winterset, iowa but grew up in southern california. The plot is about a hired that is dying of a terminal illness and looks in. The old man had been breathing on one lung since before he made the sons of katie elder 1965.
May 16, 2015 onset interviews with john wayne and behind the scenes footage of wayne s last film the shootist from director don siegel. Behindthescenes of john waynes last film the shootist 1976. About ten minutes into the shootist, doctor hostetler james stewart tells aging western gunfighter john bernard books john wayne you have a cancer. The supporting cast includes lauren bacall, ron howard, james stewart, richard boone, hugh obrian, h. Now that you know the behindthescenes story find out how much. Mcfaddens father, bob mcfadden, collected and displayed more than 500 pieces of art in the home, which was the scene of john waynes last movie the shootist. And his final film is a worthy conclusion of this unique career. Director don siegel gives the film a gentle, sentimental touch somewhat surprising, given that he made his reputation on such violent. The action is minimal and the emotions grow fast as john lives out his last week. Kourts of long beach, california, and given to the duke by the great western arms company many years before.
The screenplay was written by miles hood swarthout the son of the author and scott hale. Wayne had trouble breathing and needed oxygen on the set to help him breathe in between the takes. John wayne s very last film, an elegy for a dying cowboy, expresses the essence of his screen image, while borrowing elements from his own life. Like the searchers 1956 before it, the shootist explores the burdens of being a legend, a topic undoubtedly close to the actor. Harry morgan is the local sheriff, dropping by to suggest that famed gunfighter j. The shootist featured a cast of famous actors who came together to support wayne known to be in bad health with the possibility that it. The shootist his last movie john wayne movies, john. The shootist was john waynes final movie role and no actor, before or since, had a more fitting last appearance on the silver screen. The shootist is a 1976 american western film directed by don siegel and based on glendon swarthouts 1975 novel of the same name. The shootist the shootist is a 1976 american western film directed by don siegel and starring john wayne in his final film role. I guess that means i do not have this one memorized like a bunch of the other ones. A further adventure, aired with warren oates cast as rooster cogburn with lee meriwether time tunnel as annie sumner. John waynes very last film, an elegy for a dying cowboy, expresses the essence of his screen image, while borrowing elements from his own life.
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