What I Found Interesting About "The Duke"

[Wyandot Jim]

Hey Guys,
I have been watching some of the old Westermans that John Wayne stared in. What I didn't realize was in some movies he draws and shoots right-handed and others he draws and shoots left-handed. Pretty cool ;) ;) ;) I think the reason he has his holster more to the rear is that way makes it a lot more comfortable sitting a horse.

 

[caryc]

Hey Guys,
I have been watching some of the old Westermans that John Wayne stared in. What I didn't realize was in some movies he draws and shoots right-handed and others he draws and shoots left-handed. Pretty cool ;) ;) ;) I think the reason he has his holster more to the rear is that way makes it a lot more comfortable sitting a horse.

I don't remember ever seeing him draw and shoot left handed. Was he wearing a holster on his left side or a cross draw holster?

 

[Fox Mike]

Here is proof he, at least, shot left handed. Found this bit of information: During one of the tackle stunts ( not in True Grit), Wayne injured his right arm and wore his arm in a sling when he wasn't in shots for filming. He learned how to throw and write left-handed during filming so his character in the film is left-handed when the Duke is really right-handed.

 

[Bob Wright]

I noticed in the closing scenes of "The Shootist" John Wayne loades his Single Action backwards. He inserts cartridges with his left hand while holding the gun in his right hand.

Bob Wright

 

[TestEngineer]

What I found interesting about the Duke is how tall he was. He was over 6 feet tall, and was usually the tallest guy in every scene.

But I saw a picture of him standing next to James Arness (Matt Dillon). James was probably at least 6 inches taller than John Wayne.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Here is proof he, at least, shot left handed. Found this bit of information: During one of the tackle stunts ( not in True Grit), Wayne injured his right arm and wore his arm in a sling when he wasn't in shots for filming. He learned how to throw and write left-handed during filming so his character in the film is left-handed when the Duke is really right-handed.

View attachment 56176

Was it the sequel to True Grit? ......Rooster Cogburn?

 

[caryc]

What I found interesting about the Duke is how tall he was. He was over 6 feet tall, and was usually the tallest guy in every scene.

But I saw a picture of him standing next to James Arness (Matt Dillon). James was probably at least 6 inches taller than John Wayne.

That is correct. Here is that picture. Dillon was no shrimp ! Notice the size of his shoulders compared to Wayne's.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Probably what landed him the role in The Thing.....

 

[arfmel]

If I remember right, Arness was 6’7”.

 

[Jeepnik]

Arness' size is what hat him the role as The Thing.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Arness' size is what hat him the role as The Thing.

Well that confirms post #8....(y)

 

[caryc]

Well that confirms post #8....(y)

I'm not sure. I'd like one more conformation. ;)

 

[Fox Mike]

Was it the sequel to True Grit? ......Rooster Cogburn?

Nope. In the field and he said "Fill your hand you SOB!" Then he was trapped under his horse

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Nope. In the field and he said "Fill your hand you SOB!" Then he was trapped under his horse

Ahhh. Got Rooster 1 and 2 mixed up......time to re-watch both very soon.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

1. • • Though identified as appearing in Westerns, Arness also acted in two science-fiction films, The Thing from Another World (in which he portrayed the titular character) and Them!. He became a close friend of John Wayne and appeared in supporting roles in Big Jim McLain, Hondo, Island in the Sky and The Sea Chase, all starring Wayne.

 

[caryc]

1. • • Though identified as appearing in Westerns, Arness also acted in two science-fiction films, The Thing from Another World (in which he portrayed the titular character) and Them!. He became a close friend of John Wayne and appeared in supporting roles in Big Jim McLain, Hondo, Island in the Sky and The Sea Chase, all starring Wayne.

Yep, both of those guys never had to beg for any roles. But after all those years watching Gunsmoke, I just could not picture John Wayne in that role. John Wayne had enough to handle in his own career. Neither one had to compete with the other.

 

[Bob Wright]

I remember James Arness in the movie "Carbine Williams, Hondo" and another movie with John Wayne about beign a deck hand on a small ship.

And further......... James Arness had his hair dyed darker for "Gunsmoke" as he was sort of blonde. (Nobody ever told blonde jokes around him.)



Bob Wright

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Here is a short that has Duke's holster is on the left. It is possible I think that the film could be reversed somehow. I have seen a couple of movies where he shot left-handed.

El Dorado 1966

Sorry, that didn't work

 

[Watertender]

I remember James Arness in the movie "Carbine Williams, Hondo" and another movie with John Wayne about beign a deck hand on a small ship.

And further......... James Arness had his hair dyed darker for "Gunsmoke" as he was sort of blonde. (Nobody ever told blonde jokes around him.)



Bob Wright

The movie with John Wayne and James Arness being sailors is "The Sea Chase"

 

[blume357]

Robert Duval had the second best line in the movie True Grit...

"That's mighty bold talk for a one eyed fat man!"

 

[steveodtw]

What I found interesting about the Duke is how tall he was. He was over 6 feet tall, and was usually the tallest guy in every scene.

But I saw a picture of him standing next to James Arness (Matt Dillon). James was probably at least 6 inches taller than John Wayne.

Remember, Arness was "The Thing." I think that's where he developed the Matt Dillon sweeping backhand, sending smaller folks flying across the room.

 

[Bob Wright]

The movie with John Wayne and James Arness being sailors is "The Sea Chase"

Thank you. The title escaped me.

Bob Wright

 

[el caminero]

I noticed in the closing scenes of "The Shootist" John Wayne loades his Single Action backwards. He inserts cartridges with his left hand while holding the gun in his right hand.

Bob Wright

Sam'l colt was lefthanded...

 

[Bob Wright]

Sam'l colt was lefthanded...

So far as I know, that has not been proved. But all Colts prior to that were for right handed cavalry troopers. The SAA followed suit.

The trooper held the Colt, and the reins, in the left hand, while the more desterious hand (the Wright hand) loaded cartridges or capped the nipples.

Bob Wright

 

[settup6]

Peter Graves from Mission Impossible and James Arness are brothers.

 

[Hondo44]

Wayne was 6’ 4”.

 

[caryc]

Remember, Arness was "The Thing." I think that's where he developed the Matt Dillon sweeping backhand, sending smaller folks flying across the room.

Dillon did a little different version of that in Gunsmoke. Dillon had no compunctions about smakin' someone in the puss with that long barreled sixgun of his !

 

[CHEVYINLINE6]

In the opening of the very first episode of Gunsmoke it started out with John Wayne telling us about the show and his friend James Arness.

CHEVYINLINE6.

 

[BearBiologist]

If I remember correctly, Wayne recommended Arness for the role in Gunsmoke (?).

 

[caryc]

This is a pic of Dillon before he became marshall of Dodge. This was back in his river boat gambler days.