You can't sum up a great man's life in under an hour, and for this rare biography, he got a 90 minute profile that really gives a strong and Fair view of his life and impact in the movie industry. things of course weren't easy for Wayne growing up, and by the time he became a big movie star in 1930 with a huge budget Western "The Big Trail", he was reduced to poverty row b Western thanks for the onslaught of the depression. is 55-minute oaters kept him busy for a decade, but a fluke casting by John Ford in "Stagecoach" up to the top echelon of movie stars, being extremely popular on screen for the next four decades. different locations in several marriages ended in divorce, one truly tempestuous, his conservative image conflicted with his sordid personal life.
The war years confirm his status as the most beloved male star in westerns and war pictures, and over the next decade, his association with John Ford has featured him in many films that are now considered classics. But there were failures along the way, controversial political revelations, yes he finds success in a third marriage that has him as an aging but proud new papa. Interviews with co-stars like Anna Lee, Angie Dickinson and Ron Howard friends like Charlton Heston and his third wife Pilar give an indication as to his true persona, as well as financial trouble in the early 1960's, and show that what appeared to be a perfect life to his fans had a lot of issues. Surprisingly missing is oft co-star Maureen O'Hara, tucked away back in Ireland.
By the time that he's an Academy award-winning elder statesman, Hollywood has greatly changed, and the conservative politics that had seemed more liberal 20 years before now make him seem out of touch. Still, he's dominating a list of top 10 box-office stars right up to the end, and his bout with cancer leads to a shocking final public appearance. Lots of film clips give a nice overview of his best work, and it is easy to see why he has stood the test of time.
The war years confirm his status as the most beloved male star in westerns and war pictures, and over the next decade, his association with John Ford has featured him in many films that are now considered classics. But there were failures along the way, controversial political revelations, yes he finds success in a third marriage that has him as an aging but proud new papa. Interviews with co-stars like Anna Lee, Angie Dickinson and Ron Howard friends like Charlton Heston and his third wife Pilar give an indication as to his true persona, as well as financial trouble in the early 1960's, and show that what appeared to be a perfect life to his fans had a lot of issues. Surprisingly missing is oft co-star Maureen O'Hara, tucked away back in Ireland.
By the time that he's an Academy award-winning elder statesman, Hollywood has greatly changed, and the conservative politics that had seemed more liberal 20 years before now make him seem out of touch. Still, he's dominating a list of top 10 box-office stars right up to the end, and his bout with cancer leads to a shocking final public appearance. Lots of film clips give a nice overview of his best work, and it is easy to see why he has stood the test of time.
