When somebody makes the misguided assertion that John Wayne had no vary or, worse, was really a foul actor, you will be certain they’ve by no means seen “The Searchers,” “Pink River” or “True Grit.” They most actually haven’t seen “She Wore a Pink Ribbon,” the conclusion to John Ford’s “Cavalry Trilogy” which boasts what would possibly very properly be the best efficiency of The Duke’s profession.To be truthful, Ford, Wayne’s most trusted collaborator, wasn’t totally offered on Wayne’s potential past his star energy till he noticed Howard Hawks’ “Pink River” in 1948. Upon seeing Hawks’ Western, Ford reportedly exclaimed, “I didn’t know the large son of a b**** may act.” Whereas it’s price noting that Ford had a penchant for razzing his frequent main man, Wayne’s portrayal of rancher Thomas Dunson is surprisingly shaded. Dunson is a tough, unyielding man on the outset, however an arduous cattle drive compounded by the battle along with his adopted son (Montgomery Clift) wears him down. Clift was one of many very first methodology actors, and he challenges The Duke each step of the best way.Now that the key of Wayne’s appearing capability was out, Ford had simply the function for him: Captain Nathan Brittles in “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.”A bittersweet glimpse of The Duke in winter
RKOBrittles was hardly tailor made for Wayne. He’s a 65-year-old, near-retirement chief of a small Military troop stationed at Fort Starke in Texas. The Duke was 42 on the time of his casting, so Brittles is a preview of the world weary cowboys the star would play within the Seventies — the distinction right here being that that is really an excellent movie. As with “Pink River,” “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” affords a portrayal of indigenous peoples that’s considerably nuanced in comparison with your common Golden Age oater. Wayne’s Brittles is pals along with his Cheyenne counterpart Chief Pony That Walks (Chief John Large Tree), and needs dearly to strike a peace treaty with him earlier than he cedes his submit. This dynamic isn’t just uncommon, however poignant, particularly when considered right now within the context of Wayne’s profession.
However it’s the age distinction and Brittles’ encroaching irrelevance that lends “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” its poignancy. In accordance with Scott Eyman’s biography “John Wayne: The Life and Legend,” The Duke understood this, and mentioned as a lot:
“‘She Wore a Yellow Ribbon’ turned out to be, I believe, the perfect appearing job I’ve carried out. As a matter of truth, it’s about the one image I’ve been in the place I may play a personality that was somewhat other than the picture that has developed for me over time on the display. I performed a 65 12 months previous man after I was 35 [actually, 42].’”
An Oscar dream deferred
RKOThough “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” was favorably acquired by critics, it solely acquired one Academy Award nomination (for Winton C. Hoch’s vibrant coloration cinematography, which it received). Wayne did obtain his first Oscar nod for Greatest Actor that 12 months, but it surely was for his dies-with-his-combat-boots-on efficiency in Allan Dwan’s sturdy, if unspectacular “Sands of Iwo Jima.”
It’s usually the case that actors by no means win for his or her greatest work (e.g. Al Pacino, Denzel Washington and Leonard DiCaprio), however for Wayne to not even be nominated for “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” (or “Pink River”) stays an egregious miscarriage of Oscar justice. Whereas he was entertainingly hammy because the eye-patched Rooster Cogburn in “True Grit,” maybe the favored perspective of Wayne’s performing skills could be totally different had he earned an Oscar for one of many performances that undeniably proved the son of a b**** may act.