Silent Film: Bardelys the Magnificent(1926).

Bardelys the Magnificent (1926). A Romantic silent film directed by King Vidor. Cast: John Gilbert and Eleanor Boardman. The film is based on a novel by Rafael Sabatini. It was the second film of the 19 year old John Wayne, who had a small role.

King Louis XIII sends Chatellerault to romance Roxalanne de Lavedan, hoping to keep the girl's fortune within the family. When Chatellerault says that Roxalanne is unapproachable, Bardelys, bets his entire estate that he will win her heart in three months time.

While traveling, Bardelys finds a dying man along the way and is given some letters with the name Lesperon, whose identity he uses as his own. Finding that Lesperon is a traitor, he looks for shelter in the Lavedan estate and he begins courting her.

Video: The river scene in the willows is romantic and beautiful.



 St. Eustache, warns her that Lesperon is engaged to Mademoiselle Mersac and Bardelys is arrested for treason. Will the king arrive in time to save him from execution?

John Gilbert and Eleanor Boardman make a wonderful on screen couple. Loved the the opening duel scene, the river seen among the willows and the great closeups of Gilbert as he swings on tapestries. I tried to find John Wayne as an extra, with no luck...

Eleanor Boardman (August 19, 1898 – December 12, 1991), was originally on stage but, after temporarily losing her voice, she acted in silent films.

After, Rupert Hughes saw her riding a horse, he gave her a part in a film and she quickly became popular.

She was Goldwyn Pictures "New Face of 1922." After many supporting roles, she played the lead in, Souls for Sale(1923).

Her best known film was, The Crowd(1928), which is recognized as one of the best performances in American silent films.

Unable to make the transition from silent to talking pictures, Boardman retired in 1935.

Boardman was married to the film director King Vidor, with whom she had two daughters, Antonia (born 1927) and Belinda (born 1930). Their marriage lasted from 1926 until 1931. Fellow actors John Gilbert and Greta Garbo had planned a double wedding with them, but Garbo broke off the plans at the last minute. Boardman's second husband was Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast to whom she was married from 1940 until his death in 1968.

Boardman died in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 93.

Summer Under The Stars: John Wayne.

TCM, is celebrating "A New Star" everyday in the month of August. It is a tradition I look forward to every year. This year, I plan on celebrating the actor/actress of the day with fun facts, pictures, videos and some new to me movie reviews. For the complete month line up please click on the "Summer Under The Stars" poster, located on the side bar. First actor up to bat is...

John Wayne's 1966 IH Travelall, was inspired by vehicles built for Hatari, filmed in 1962. The roof was raised six inches so that Wayne could pop out through a hatch and shoot at a comfortable height while hunting antelope. It has the International 460, a five-speed and a hydraulic clutch, medicine cabinet, heavy-duty shocks, spot-lamps, tubular roof rack and roll bars and extra spring leaves. Extended steel bumpers on both ends include a 10,000-pound winch in front and inside is air conditioning and an electric rear window. Wayne’s son Ethan, gave it the War Wagon name, another film reference.

Video: John Wayne's home movies...

Pre - Code: Baby Face(1933).

Baby Face (1933). A dramatic film directed by Alfred E. Green. Cast:  Barbara Stanwyck and George Brent. Based on a story by Darryl F. Zanuck. This Pre-Code Hollywood film is about an young woman who uses sex to advance herself socially and her career. The film's open discussion of sex made it one of the most notorious films of the Pre-Code Hollywood era.

The story begins when Lily Powers, the daughter of Nick Powers, a speakeasy owner, tries to keep her distance from men, who her father forces on her. It does not take long before Lily, decides to give in and use men to get what she wants.

She leaves town with her maid Chico and takes a job in a bank, where she seduces: Jimmy McCoy, his boss Brody and Ned Stevens, Brody's supervisor. Stevens, who has fallen under Lily spell sets her up in an elegant apartment, even though he is engaged to Ann Carter, the daughter of one of the bank's high power executives.

Out of jealousy, Stevens kills Carter, then himself, creating a scandal at the bank. The bank decides to send Lily Paris to stop the scandle.

When Courtland Trenholm, is transferred to Paris, he too falls in love with Lily and marries her. Trenholm signs over all his money to Lily and when the bank falls into bankruptcy, Lily refuses to help him. Feeling helpless Trenholm decides to shoot himself, will Lily arrive in time to save his life?

Barbara Stanwyck, is wonderful as the bad girl, who knows how to work all the men in her life.

John Wayne, is a unsuccessful suitor for Stanwyck. This would be the only time these two performers appeared together on screen.

Margaret Lindsay (September 19, 1910 - May 9, 1981). After some minor roles in Pre-Code films such as Christopher Strong and Baby Face, Lindsay was cast in the film, Cavalcade. Her performance in, Cavalcade earned her a contract at Warner Bros.

Lindsay played Edith Harris, a doomed English bride whose honeymoon voyage takes place on the Titanic. 

Lindsay was cast four times as the love interest of James Cagney, from 1933-1935 in the classic films: Frisco Kid, Devil Dogs of the Air, G-Men and Lady Killer.

Lindsay co-starred with Bette Davis in four films: 1934's Fog Over Frisco, 1935's Dangerous, Bordertown, Jezebel(1938), The Law in Her Hands (1936). Author Roger Dooley identified the film as "being the only film of the 1930's to have a pair of female legal partners".

Made after the Motion Picture Production Code came into effect. Lindsay's favorite film role may have been, The House of the Seven Gables(1940).

Her 1940's film series included the Crime Doctor series, as well as her continuing role as Nikki Porter in, Columbia's Ellery Queen series from 1940-1942.

Lindsay performed in a supporting role in the 1942 film, The Spoilers, starring John Wayne and in Fritz Lang's, Scarlet Street(1945).

After performing in Cass Timberlane with Spencer Tracy, her film career began to fade.

Her last film was, Tammy and the Doctor (1963).

Early in her career, Lindsay lived with her sister Helen in Hollywood.

Later in life, she lived with her youngest sister Mickie. Margaret Lindsay's sister, Jane Kies (1909–1985), was also an actress named, Jane Gilbert.

In 1940, Jane married the son of Hedda Hopper, actor William Hopper, best known for his role as Paul Drake in the Perry Mason television series.

Lindsay's niece Peggy Kenline and great-nephew Brad Yates were also actors.

Pawsome Pet Pictures: John Wayne

John Wayne with his wife and their two little doggies..

Happy Birthday: John Wayne!

John Wayne(May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979) was a film actor, director and producer. He is famous for his distinctive voice, walk and height.

His last film was The Shootist (1976), whose main character, J. B. Books, was dying of cancer—the illness to which Wayne himself succumbed 3 years later. It was based on the 1975 novel of the same name by Glendon Swarthout Scott Hale and Miles Hood Swarthout (son of the author) wrote the screenplay. Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard and James Stewart co-starred and Don Siegel directed.

The movie begins with a clip montage of some of John Wayne's earlier western movies, showing the life of the "shootist" John Bernard (J. B.) Books.

Books arrives in Carson City, Nevada on January 22, 1901, looking for the medical opinion E. W. "Doc" Hostetler. Hostetler confirms a Colorado doctor's prognosis of cancer, so Books rents a room from the widow Bond Rogers and her son Gillom.

Marshal Walter Thibido, hot on his heels, visits the house to tell him to leave town. Books tells him about his cancer. The Marshal then tells him, "Don't take too long to die."

Old enemies and glory seekers come looking for him. Mike Sweeney wants to avenge a brother's death. A newspaperman wants the story of his life. Books is forced to shoot two strangers who try to ambush him in his sleep. Gillom is impressed, but his mother does not want him in her home.

Serepta, a girlfriend from his past also shows up to ask Books to marry her. He is not to happy when he learns that she wants to use his name to make money.

Books and Bond, begin to become friends and she seems to be truly upset when he tells her that he has little time left. Gillom, sells Books horse to give back to his mother the money she lost.

Later, Book asks Gillom to tell three bad men, Mike Sweeney, Jack Pulford and Jay Cobb, that they can find him in the morning at the Metropole saloon. In the shootout, will Books kill all of his opponents before he dies himself?

Fun Facts:

To add a sense of realism to John Wayne's character, archive footage from several of his westerns was used to introduce J.B. Books after the beginning credits. Included was footage from Red River (1948), Hondo (1953), Rio Bravo (1959) and El Dorado (1966).

When J.B. Books (John Wayne) arrives at Dr. E.W. Hostetler's (James Stewart) office, Hostetler mentions that it has been 15 years since they last saw each other. The inside joke is that Wayne and Stewart last worked together on The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), 15 years before.

John Wayne liked working with Lauren Bacall in their first film, Blood Alley (1955) so much that he hand-picked her as his leading lady for this film.




Please click here to learn more about John Wayne.

Great On Screen Couples: John Wayne & Maureen O'Hara

John Wayne made a lot of films. Something like 142 in which he was the lead. And he starred with a host of actresses, but his best on screen partner had to be Maureen O'Hara. They made five films together between 1950 and 1972: Rio Grande, The Quiet Man, The Wings Of Eagles, McLintock! and Big Jake. They made four really good films and one all time classic (The Quiet Man). The fiery O'Hara was the perfect sparring partner for the rough and tumble Wayne. Their first pairing came with the 1950 western Rio Grande, which was the third film of director John Ford's calvary trilogy (the other two being Fort Apache and She Wore A Yellow Ribbon). This would be the first of Maureen's westerns with Wayne. The other two were Big Jake and the rambunctious McLintock! (which is one of my all time favorites). They switched gears for the military drama The Wings Of Eagles, which was directed by Ford. But the pair's crowning achievement came with the sentimental The Quiet Man, which is beloved by so many fans around the world. This film perfectly captures the love/hate on screen relationship of Wayne and O'Hara. And while the film would lose the Oscar for Best Picture that year, John Ford did take one home for directing. So 5 films and the wonderful chemistry of Big John and the fiery red-headed Maureen provided movie lovers with great cinema and lasting memories.

The Sea Chase(1955)

The Sea Chase (1955) World War II film. Cast John Wayne and Lana Turner. Director: John Farrow. Written by James Warner Bellah. The story is a about Wayne's character who is determined to get his German freighter home, while being chased by British and Australian naval ships.

In the beginning of World War II, at Australia's Sydney Harbor, Commander Jeffrey Napier of the British Navy stops by to see an old family friend, Karl Ehrlich, the German captain of the freighter Ergenstrasse. Even though he does not support the war, Karl remains loyal to his homeland and shows Jeff his beloved German flag.

The Nazis have just invaded Poland and war is about to begin, Jeff discusses with Karl that the British are taking over the Ergenstrasse. Jeff then introduces Karl to his fiancee, Elsa Keller, unaware that they already know each other. When they are alone, Karl tells Elsa to leave Jeff alone or he will tell him about her past. She makes a promise to get even with Karl. Even with shortage of fuel and supplies, Karl is determined to hide from the British and return the Ergenstrasse to Germany. As Karl is leaving, the German General exposes Elsa as a secret agent and orders him to take her with him. You have to watch this cat and mouse game to see what happens next. :)

Video: Movie trailer.



What got me to watch the film Sea Chase, was out of pure curiosity of the two lead characters, John Wayne and Lana Turner, in a film together. I remember thinking.."Are you kidding me? I have got to see this." For me, it turned out to be a very thought-provoking war film and ladies... Lana Turners wardrobe was fabulous.

Paul's favorite John Wayne(non western films)

I've been putting off doing this but Dawn's post on Miss Day has forced my hand.
So here are my favorites in no order.

The Quiet Man

Hatari

Island In The Sky

The High And The Mighty.

They Were Expendable

In Harms Way

The Longest Day

Mc Q

The Wings Of Eagles

Cast a Giant Shadow

Jet Pilot

The Sands Of Iwo Jima

Blood Alley

The Long Voyage Home

Operation Pacific

Back To Bataan

The Sea Chase.

John Wayne Collector's Edition Monopoly.

John Wayne Collector's Edition Monopoly:

The Duke and Monopoly...together at last!
Created with fans in mind!
Features exclusive game components!
This John Wayne Collector's Edition Monopoly game features locations significant to the American icon's personal and professional life. The Classic and The Legend Cards replace classic Community Chest and Chance Cards. Includes 6 collectible John Wayne-themed tokens: Cowboy Hat, Belt Buckle, Cowboy Boot, Director's Chair, Duke the Dog and Stagecoach.

Without Reservations (1946).

Without Reservations (1946). Comedy. Director: Mervyn LeRoy, and adapted by Andrew Solt from the novel "Thanks, God! I'll Take It From Here" by Jane Allen and Mae Livingston. Cast: Claudette Colbert and John Wyane.

The story begins when Kit an author travels by train to L.A. to work on the film adaptation of her book. On the way, she finds a Marine, who she believes would be perfect to play the film character. Kit lies about her who she really is when she hears Rusty and his friend, Lieutenant Dink Watson, putting down her book, Here Is Tomorrow. She quickly comes up with the name Kit Klotch and defends the book. While waiting for connecting train to Chicago, Kit receives a telegram from Baldwin, he orders her to keep track of Rusty and Dink. They both decide to leave the station in to buy some rationed whiskey, and Kit ends up missing her train while trying to keep up with them. To avoid revealing who she really is, Kit pretends that she has lost her ticket and has to travel in coach. When Consuela Callahan, a flirt whom Dink and Rusty call a "beetle," accuses Kit of stealing her orchid and Kit is thrown off the train the next morning. As they continue with their travels they come across many comedic and dramatic problems. When Rusty finds out Kit really is a famous writer, he thinks that she has been using him . Will she convince him otherwise?


I'm a huge fan of John Wayne and Claudette Colbert. This is such a cute, fun and romantic comedy. It reminds me of "It happened One Night" with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.

Dona Drake (November 15, 1914 – June 20, 1989) was an American singer, dancer and film actress in the 1930s and 1940s. Because of her dark hair and Latin-looking features, Drake generally played Latin or other "ethnic" types. She is probably best known for playing the American Indian maid of Bette Davis in, Beyond the Forest. She also appeared as an Arab girl opposite Bob Hope in, Road to Morocco (1942). Her biggest "non-ethnic" role was the second female lead in the 1949 comedy, The Girl from Jones Beach(1949).

The Quiet Man (1952).

The Quiet Man(1952). Romantic/drama. Director: John Ford. Cast: John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen and Barry Fitzgerald. It was based on a 1933 Saturday Evening Post short story by Maurice Walsh. The film is known for its beautiful photography of the Irish countryside and the semi-comic fist fight between Wayne and McLaglen.

Sean Thornton, an Irish-American, returns to his Ireland family's farm in Inisfree. He meets and falls in love with Mary Kate Danaher, the spinster sister of Will Danaher. Danaher, angry that Sean outbid him for the Thornton land, refuses to give permission for his sister marriage to Sean. Until the priest tricks him into believing that the wealthy Widow Tillane also wants to marry him. After learning the truth on Sean and Mary Kate's wedding day, Will refuses to give his sister her full dowry. Sean, knowing nothing in Irish customs, does not care about the dowry. Mary Kate wants her dowry because it represents her pride. Shamed by Sean's refusal to confront her brother she calls him a coward. They become estranged as husband and wife. Soon, Mary Kate boards a train leaving Castletown and headed for Dublin. Sean arrives to the train station and drags her off the train, followed by the townspeople. He forces her to walk the five miles to Will Danaher's farm. Will Sean demand that Will hand over her dowry and regain Mary Kate's love and respect?

For me The Quiet Man, is one of my favorite John Ford films. Amazing scenery and beautiful music by Victor Young make this movie classic as wonderful as it is.. The romance between Wayne and Maureen O'Hara is magical and very believable.
The Quiet Man Movie Trailer.

FUN FACTS:

John Ford first read the story in 1933 and bought the film rights for $10. It took him another 12 years to find financing, and another 10 years to get the film made.

This is one of the few Hollywood films in which you can hear Gaelic, the national language of Ireland.

The last line of the wedding toast was censored by Republic Pictures. It should have said, "May their days be long and full of happiness. May their children be many and full of health. And may they live in peace and national freedom". After the film was completed, Republic Pictures decided "national freedom" in Ireland was too controversial a concept.

Green, the national color of Ireland, can be seen in every shot in this film, but not on any of the actors' costumes except for Maureen O'Hara green floral dress in the cemetery scene.

Second of five movies that paired John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.