John Wayne: The Westerns

by David Morrell

David Morrell isn’t only an acclaimed thriller author and the creator of Rambo. He’s also a former professor of American Studies who writes in-depth profiles about film and music legends who changed our culture.Few film actors had the lasting popularity of John Wayne, especially in westerns. During his lifetime, Wayne was a top-ten box office star for twenty-four years. Three decades after his death, a 2012 Harris poll continued to place him among the top 5 most-liked film actors. In this comprehensive essay, award-winner David Morrell analyzes Wayne’s career in westerns and explores his fascinating personality, including his Latin studies in high school and his skills as a chess player. Even Wayne’s most knowledgeable fans will be surprised by this insightful study.Morrell’s fascination with Wayne motivated him to use this iconic actor as the inspiration for the main character of a historical novel LAST REVEILLE, which dramatizes America’s 1916 invasion of Mexico, supposedly to pursue the Mexican bandit, Pancho Villa, but actually to practice military exercises for America’s entry into World War I.Critical “John the name still conjures political reaction and cinematic fascination. In this excellent e-essay, author David Morrell (First Blood) presents a thorough and evenhanded consideration of Wayne and his Westerns, from THE BIG TRAIL (1930) to THE SHOOTIST (1976). He’s precise about the narrative problems in THE SEARCHERS, insightful regarding the remarkable emotional range Wayne demonstrates in THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE, and mystified at the meaning critics find in RIO BRAVO. While also examining Wayne’s drinking (16 martinis before a Thanksgiving dinner), smoking (five packs a day on THE ALAMO) and expertise as a chess player, Morrell allows us to appreciate and understand how Wayne, ‘an undeniable phenomenon,’ helped create that unique film John Wayne Westerns.”—Tom Clagett, ROUNDUP MAGAZINE (WESTERN WRITERS OF AMERICA)David Morrell is the award-winning author of First Blood, the novel in which Rambo was created. A former professor of American literature at the University of Iowa, he has written numerous New York Times bestsellers, including the classic Brotherhood of the Rose spy trilogy. The main character in Morrell’s western novel, Last Reveille, was inspired by Wayne’s career. “David Morrell is, to me, the finest thriller writer living today, bar none.”—Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Columbus Affair“Morrell, an absolute master of the thriller, plays by his on rules and leaves you dazzled.”—Dean Koontz, New York Times bestselling author of 77 Shadow Street

34 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2012

About the author

David Morrell is a Canadian novelist from Kitchener, Ontario, who has been living in the United States for a number of years. He is best known for his debut 1972 novel First Blood, which would later become a successful film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. More recently, he has been writing the Captain America comic books limited-series The Chosen.

Reviews

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid pop-culture essay, this digs into Wayne's path to becoming The Duke. As the subtitle suggests, the focus is on his western films, but it does go into his other works where necessary. For instance, his Oscar win For True Grit isn't as impactful until you realize that it came only two years after his biggest critical failure, The Green Berets. At this length, it would be impossible for the author to go into detail with too many of the films, but he hits the important ones, as well as Wayne's various issues through his career. This is a good intro to an important 20th-century icon, and will offer a few details to those better versed. However, if you love The Duke, get a full-length bio or study of his films instead.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but insightful reflection on The Duke's life and career. I was riveted...and I'm not even a fan of John Wayne!

[Steve Vernon]

A great read for any diehard John Wayne fans - such as myself.

[Mark Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good review of John Wayne's life tied so closely with the western.

One of my personal favorites of all time both as an actor and as an icon, John Wayne's life and how it was so closely tied to the western is very well reviewed here by David Morrell.

[John Byers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid essay about some of Wayne’s key Westerns that is ends up being far more moving than I could have possibly guessed that it was going to be when I started reading it.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent analysis of the background of John Wayne, or Duke Morrison as he preferred. His legal name was Marion Morrison and he never changed it but preferred the childhood nickname Duke. John Wayne was given to him by the studio and while he tolerated it, he never felt it was truly who he was.
Morrell also provides a careful resume and analysis of the majority of the John Wayne westers. I loved every minute of it but, of course, I'm a huge John Wayne fan

[Robert Frost · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slight read.

[Terry Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful rumination on the late, great John Wayne. Filled with trivia and insights on the career of the Duke. I'd love to see a full book by Morrell on Wayne instead of just a an extended essay.

[Yellow Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great informative read

I enjoy almost everything David Morel rights. This is an excellent summary of John Wayne's life and his influence on American film. I recommend.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible stay away

Horrible what a waste of money nothing in this book for a fan the Duke bad no substance save your money