As a seasoned film enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of cinema over the decades, I must say that the feud between John Wayne and Clint Eastwood is indeed a fascinating tale of generational clash. Being a child of the Golden Age of Hollywood, I can understand why John Wayne might have felt threatened by the rising star that was Eastwood, especially given their shared roots in the Western genre.
John Wayne and Clint Eastwood are always essential topics when discussing the genre of Westerns. John Wayne started off first, featuring in numerous B-movies during the 1930s without gaining mainstream recognition. However, things took a dramatic turn for him in 1938 when director John Ford (who would often work with him) cast him in his top-tier Western adventure, Stagecoach. Clint Eastwood’s career path mirrored this as well. He appeared in several Western films during the 1950s in supporting roles before achieving success with Sergio Leone’s A Fistful of Dollars.
It was expected that, due to Hollywood’s practice of pairing well-known actors in films, they would eventually collaborate. However, this never came to pass. Their careers were hindered by industry complications, rivalry, and divergent viewpoints, keeping them in a stalemate reminiscent of a Mexican standoff until Wayne succumbed to stomach cancer in 1979.
The Guard Was Changing… and So Were the Times
The one often suspected of initiating the conflict is John Wayne. As Eastwood gained prominence in the 1960s, Wayne’s dominance gradually diminished. Moreover, the movie industry was venturing into new cinematic landscapes, far removed from the traditional, rule-abiding, male-dominated realms of Hollywood’s Golden Era.
Wayne admired the rugged and resilient spirit found in Westerns from mid to late 20th century. He embodied the essence of the American spirit, combining strength, optimism, spirituality, practicality, and determination into a unique perspective on life.
Over time, the movies started to contain increasingly high levels of violence and immorality. Being a novice, Eastwood was content to follow the directors’ instructions, which ultimately made him a beloved gunslinger in America.
Despite the fact that Wayne held onto the reins of the head collar rope back in the ’60s and even won an Oscar for True Grit in 1970, his ability to match Eastwood’s diverse and productive career was impossible. Eastwood wasn’t just a talented actor and director; he could also effortlessly transition between film genres, making him highly sought-after by studio executives.
It’s not surprising that Wayne felt a touch of envy, considering Eastwood didn’t prioritize maintaining the genre’s authenticity and yet seemed to be receiving all the admiration. Essentially, it was this jealousy that served as the significant rift in the genre, causing it to tremble.
High Plains Drifter Made Wayne Angrier
Clint Eastwood made his directorial debut in the Western movie “High Plains Drifter,” where he also played the lead role. However, John Wayne was not a fan of this film at all. Filmed on location near Mono Lake, the Western has a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere that is heightened by the stunning cinematography of Bruce Surtees and the eerie music composition of Dee Barton. The story centers around a mysterious gunslinger named The Stranger (played by Eastwood). His journey begins when he is hired by the townspeople to defend them against three ruthless outlaws who are causing havoc in their homes and businesses.
From the initial moments alone, it’s evident why Wayne could find the movie frustrating. A stranger brutally attacks a woman at a bustling stable following her mockery, and then proceeds to mete out an unconventional form of retribution towards the bandits.
A conversation between Clint Eastwood and film critic Kenneth Turan is chronicled in the book “Ride, Boldly Ride: The Evolution of the American Western” by Mary Lea Bandy and Kevin Stoehr. This book details a letter written by Eastwood to his younger contemporary, expressing his displeasure about the movie “High Plains Drifter”. In this letter, Eastwood quotes a particular line that encapsulates John Wayne’s sentiments.
“What you’re describing doesn’t represent the true essence of the West or the character of the American populace who settled this land.”
In a surprising turn of events, two prominent figures in their field held contrasting opinions. Interestingly, John Wayne didn’t passively express his disagreement through a letter to Clint Eastwood. Instead, he was motivated by a proposal Eastwood made – a request for Wayne to join him in a new movie project.
Larry Cohen Tried to Bring the Two Stars Together
In the 1970s, famed author and filmmaker Larry Cohen penned a script for a movie he thought would be ideal for both Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. This film, titled “The Hostiles,” was said to center around a young gambler (Eastwood) who manages to claim half the wealth of an elderly tycoon (John Wayne). So enamored was Eastwood with this screenplay that he acquired it from Cohen and attempted to persuade John Wayne to agree to the deal.
Wayne initially declined, labeling the script as a mere extension of the monotonous spaghetti Western genre. Not the kind to give up, Eastwood rewrote the script and sent it to Wayne again. This time, the elderly actor became incensed, wondering why the younger actor dared to think he would ever work with him. That’s when he wrote the infamous letter, chastising Eastwood for getting too big for his britches.
It’s been whispered that Eastwood held the belief that the third time would be successful, so he dispatched another script personally by Wayne’s son, Mike. While sailing with his son, Wayne received the script and upon receiving it, he reportedly said, “Here’s more garbage,” before tossing the script into the water. Upon learning that his words were now floating on the sea, Eastwood decided to abandon the project.
In due course, the two actors would cross paths once more. This happened when John Wayne joined forces with Don Siegel, a regular collaborator of Clint Eastwood, for his swan song film titled “The Shootist“. It’s said that Eastwood dropped by the set at one point, and upon learning that they shared similar political leanings as rock-solid Republicans, Wayne extended his hand in greeting.
Who Was Right?
John Wayne may have had valid reasons for his hesitance towards Eastwood’s ambitions, despite the promising numbers. Today, Western films are often perceived as less prestigious, with only occasional exceptions that don’t typically enjoy significant box office success or awards recognition. The genre lacks the strength it once had, and the shift in tone might be contributing to its decline.
Besides films like “Unforgiven” and “Tombstone” from the ’90s, there aren’t many other iconic Westerns deserving of discussion. It seems that most moviegoers preferred consuming tales with heroes who saved the day, rather than those that challenged their moral beliefs. This isn’t surprising given that many action movies following the good guy-bad guy formula tend to be successful.
Yet, it’s worth noting that Wayne wasn’t without flaws himself. This means his critique of Eastwood might not have been entirely just, especially from a moral standpoint. His film, “The Conqueror,” faced accusations of racism, much like “The Searchers.” Moreover, Wayne’s image was tarnished by rumors of him having issues with many things.
He refused the main part in the 1949 movie “All the King’s Men,” stating that the script was not in keeping with American values, and in a 1971 Playboy interview, he characterized “High Noon” as “the most un-American thing I’ve ever witnessed,” primarily because the main character was afraid of the outlaws and ultimately depended on his wife to rescue him, a depiction he found problematic.
John Wayne’s disagreements with Clint Eastwood can essentially be seen as a clash between contrasting viewpoints shaped by different generations. In every profession, including music and acting, it’s common for veterans to safeguard tradition and eliminate contemporary influences that may seem impure or unwelcome.
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2024-09-01 18:32