JOHN WAYNE, HOLLYWOOD'S ETERNAL COWBOY

John Wayne is one of the best examples that demonstrate the validity of the phrase “America, land of opportunity”. Perhaps, more than opportunities it was by chance, but the truth is that The Duke, nickname which is internationally recognised, knew how to take advantage. Of humble origins, son of farmers in the Iowa of beginnings of 20th Century, the destiny wanted him to end up becoming an american culture symbol and icon of the the principles that have always represented the american heroe: strength, virility, bravery, vitality and patriotism. His impressive career in Hollywood has made him the cowboy par excellence.

John Wayne, the man

The Duke was born in 1907 at Winterset, an Iowa’s little village. His parents Clyde “Doc” Morrison and Mary “Molly” Brown baptized him with the name of Marion Robert. Later on, with the birth of his brother Robert Emmet, changed his second name to Michael.
Marion Michael spent most part of his infancy in Glendale, a few minutes far from Los Angeles. There he had a dog who called Little Duke. A local fireman that used to see them roaming on the streets, gave Marion the nickname of “Big Duke”, in this way, the nickname The Duke would go with him during all his life.
At mids of 20’s decade he received a grant for playing rugby at South California University. A friend got him a summer work: carpenter and attrezzo assistant at Fox studios. There he met John Ford, a director that started to excel. Not only became friends, Ford turned into his mentor and was decided to convert him in an actor.
Short time later, Marion left the university and spent his time working as background actor, or even as film specialist. Quickly started working as actor. First with little roles, mainly in class B westerns, with the nickname of Duke Morrison because he tought his name sound too effeminate.
In 1939, thanks to John Ford’s intervention, protagonized Stagecoach that finally launched him to stardom. It was the time that his famous name appeared, John Wayne. The idea, as always, was from his friend Ford.
John Wayne started on the cinema thanks to his physical appearance. He was an almost two meters high burly, strong and robust man, ideal for action scenes. He had no idea about how to move, speak or look at the camera. It was Ford who modelled him, some times with roughness, to forge a unique and charismatic character who filled the screed for decades. Between 1949 and 1972 some of his films was every year always in the Top Ten.

John Wayne, the cowboy

The Duke has in his possession the intervention in more than 250 films, having the leading role in more than 150. Most part of them were class B westerns that served him as platform and learning to perform, then, the westerns from that moment’s most important directors. From all his filmography, his roles as Far West tough man, always with his unique interpretation, have been the most characteristic. From the sheriff to the cowboy, from the soldier to the outlaw, John Wayne dealt all aspects of West conquest.
Guided by that time’s best directors, what really defines him are the twenty movies that filmed with John Ford, the six with Henry Hathaway and the five with with Howards Hawks. Excluding honorable exceptions (like The Quiet Man), the Duke is clearly remembered by his role in cinema’s history most iconic westerns: Stagecoach, Fort Apache, Río Grande, The Searchers, The Álamo, True Grit or his last movie before die, The Shootist.
The young Marion that barely knew how to move or play in front of a camera ended up being a true screen monster. John Wayne is not the cowboy par excellence because the great number of westerns he played on, nor for playing the main role in some of genre’s most important movies. The Duke has that title thanks to his naturalness and the conviction of his interpretation. You saw to John Wayne and you knew that were seeing a genuine cowboy, the Cowboy.

John Wayne at Corbeto’s Boots

Of course, at Corbeto’s Boots, where we love and feel fascinated by all about western, can’t miss a little section of The Duke merchandising. Come by our store at Barcelona’s Las Ramblas or visit our online store and will find official gifts for collectors from Hollywood’s eternal cowboy.