Remembering an American Icon

Today, June 11 of the year 2019 is a rather bittersweet day
of commemoration; on this day, forty years ago, a fine
and famous actor in many films who became almost as big
an American symbol as the Bald Eagle and the American
flag itself through his portrayal as the tough, rugged,
determined American in many westerns, war movies, and
some other films as well, John Wayne (a/k/a "The Duke")
passed away. But because of his enduring, and even growing
popularity through the years, with new generations of
movie lovers getting acquainted with the man and his image,
one would think that Wayne is merely taking a lengthy hiatus
for a vacation or to work on a spectacular film project that
would outdo all his previous work in film.

Eighty-three of The Duke's movies were westerns, which he
is best known for, although Wayne appeared in some memorable
war movies which showed American grit and resolve in the wars
she had fought in. His film characters throughout his long and
illustrious career had these common traits: they were mannerly
with women, firm and resolute when facing down their enemies,
unapologetic in speaking the truth (and never, EVER, lying),
and brimming with a healthy manliness --- exuding true
masculinity rather than reckless machismo. Marshall "Rooster"
Cogburn (the role for which he won an Oscar), U.S. Marine
Sergeant Stryker (the role for which he was nominated for and
almost won an Oscar), Chicago Police Detective Brannigan,
who chased a mobster to London to bring him in, and
the dying gunfighter John Bernard Books in his career finale,
where his character spoke of his personal code: "I won't be
wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on.
I don't do these things to people, and I require the same!"
were all characters which exemplified these virtues, even
when partially covered by a rough, almost crude, exterior.
And when one of them faced what seemed to be insur-
mountable challenges, they didn't do what so many male
characters in movies (not to mention television shows)
of today do; trying to "get in touch" with their "feminine
side", to "dialogue" with the bad guy, or have a panic attack.
They also didn't apologize for their manly nature or their
way of dealing with difficulty, for fear of alienating anyone's
"sensibilities" (a/k/a "hurting one's feelings"). They all did
what they had to do to get the job done. And they invariably
succeeded, political correctness and related nonsense be
damned!

These qualities in Wayne's screen characters were not only
what made him a sensation with moviegoers over several
decades, they were much like the man himself. In many
interviews Wayne told of how he took on roles in which he
portrayed men that shared his mindset, his outlook, ethos,
values, and parts of his personality. He truly put some of
himself into every role he played; what we saw was what
we got. And we loved it! In recent years those of us who
are his fans, along with people tired of weak, effete, wimpy
males have come to admire and appreciate John Wayne
all the more, especially Wayne's political views and love
for our country, neither of which he would tone down
in order to get along in ever-liberal Hollywood. And
what do you know: fellow actors, directors, movie moguls
and entertainment reporters who despised Wayne's
politics and outspokenness loved him for his courage to
speak out, and they certainly loved the revenue that his
films brought in to their studios. They knew and appreciated
box office magic! And for the aforementioned reasons his
films are still wildly popular today, with people renting
or buying John Wayne movies, watching them on TV,
going to libraries showing his films, and forming/joining
fan clubs to honor their hero of screen and real life.

Born in America's heartland --- Winterset, Iowa to be
precise, growing up there and in Glendale, California,
playing football at the University of Southern California
after unsuccessfully applying to enroll at the Unites States
Naval Academy, entertaining our troops in three wars,
always showing them in a positive, patriotic light
in his films, and involving himself in campaigns waged
by conservative office seekers (one of which was his long-
time friend, fellow actor and fellow conservative activist
Ronald Reagan), as well as charitable activities, these
are among the reasons why John Wayne is as popular
today as he was in his lifetime, and why forty years
after his death he remains a favorite with movie fans
(he is STILL one of the top ten draws among film actors
today, even though he has been deceased all these years)
as well as with people like Wayne who love and cherish
our country, along with the freedoms it offers to native-
born and immigrant alike. A man from the heart of America,
with a heart as big as America. The recipient of the Presidential
Medal of Freedom for his presenting the best in America
in his work, regardless of whatever heat he would receive
from the sour, sorry, vapid industry that he labored in.
The embodiment of what it means to be an American, both
on and off the silver screen, with neither apologies nor regrets.
A patriot who talked up our great country instead of trashing
or apologizing for it in an industry and a city filled with
sissified ingrates, radical chic sycophants, mindless drones,
and spineless suck-ups who long have done so, and sadly
new generations of them now do. But their ilk will continue
to come and go; John Wayne will always be the iconic symbol
of the goodness and greatness of the United States, her people,
and her way of life, for countless generations to come.


MEM