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With John Wayne's 100th birthday coming up, I thought I would talk about two new box sets that just arrived on DVD about two weeks ago. It features eight John Wayne films in two box sets. The first box set focuses on regular John Wayne films. The second box set focuses on his westerns. If you're a fan of "The Duke," you owe it to yourself to pick up both box sets.
The Quiet Man (1952)
While John Ford and John Wayne were known for their westerns, they also released some pretty good films that had nothing to do with the West. One of my favorite John Ford/John Wayne collaborations is The Quiet Man, which won two Academy Awards. The film features fantastic performances by Victor McLaglen, Barry Fitzgerald, and Ward Bond. John Ford loved to use a lot of the same actors in his films. He was big on having a family atmosphere on set. This is John Ford's passion project that was set in Ireland. It features fantastic cinematography that shows off Ireland in all its glory. John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara provide great chemistry in this romantic epic. It also provides John Wayne an outlet to show off his underrated acting skills.
Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)
John Wayne is at his best when he's portraying a character with a mission. He's done this to perfection in films such as John Ford's The Searchers and in Sands of Iwo Jima. He will stop at nothing to accomplish his mission. He'll battle through pain, suffering, and heartache. At the end of the day, he's going to accomplish his goal. John Wayne received an Oscar nomination for his stunning portrayal of Sgt. John M. Stryker. He's a rough and ready leader who will not settle for laziness. While John Wayne never did serve any time in the war, he's very commanding in Sands of Iwo Jima. This is a film that will make you proud to be an American. I think it's one of the best war movies ever made. This is a very underrated film.
Wake of the Red Witch (1948)
John Wayne stars alongside Gail Russell in a film about love and gold. It seems 
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like those two go together, don't they? John Wayne also battles a giant killer octopus in this film! Does it sound silly? Well, it is rather silly. This is basically a John Wayne popcorn movie. You get to see him battle underwater for hidden pearls. It's very entertaining to see John Wayne in such bizarre situations. Once again, Wayne shows off his romantic charm with Gail Russell. Wayne is not a method actor like Brando, but he knows how to get across a lot of emotions with his face. Wayne used to say: "I don't act, I react." This film is living proof of that statement.
Flying Tigers (1942)
Does anyone play a leader better than John Wayne? I think not! Wayne stars as Jim Gordon, a leader who commands a unit of the famed Flying Tigers. They are battling the Japanese in China right before World War 2. Needless to say, it's quite a chore. First of all, his men are greatly outnumbered. Not to mention, he also must deal with a lot of unique personalities. He must deal with Woody Jason, who is very skilled but also very troubled. He might end up getting them all killed. The only major problem with Flying Tigers is that the film is a bit racist and one dimensional. That being said, you must remember it's 1942. This film was nominated for 3 Oscars. It features amazing special effects for 1942. It's a lot of fun to watch and much better than Flyboys.
Rio Grande (1950)
Rio Grande was the film that ensured that John Ford and John Wayne could work on The Quiet Man. Nobody believed that The Quiet Man would make any money or be worthwhile on any level. Because of this, Republic Pictures wanted the duo to film Rio Grande to ensure a profit. They wanted to make a profit on Rio Grande to make up for the loss they would be taking on The Quiet Man. That being said, both films were very successful for Republic Pictures. John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara once again star in this John Ford classic. It's a classic Cowboys and Indians battle in Rio Grande. Nobody films a Western better than John 
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Ford. He knows how to show off the West in all its glory. This is a beautiful piece of film-making. It's an underrated John Wayne/John Ford Western.
A Lady Takes a Chance (1943)
John Wayne in a screwball comedy? Yes, it's true! John Wayne stars alongside Jean Arthur in a silly and romantic romp. For those of you expecting a John Wayne bloodbath, you've come to the wrong place. Jean Arthur plays a city girl on a bus tour of the West who encounters John Wayne. John Wayne does his best to help her forget about her past. Wayne is funny in this film without even knowing that he's funny. That's what makes it so hysterical. Phil Silvers also appears as the bus tour director. While this film is not a classic, it's interesting to see Wayne working alongside Jean Arthur in a comedy of all things. It's certainly different.
The Fighting Kentuckian (1949)
John Wayne appears in the wild frontier in this film. He leads a regiment of Kentucky riflemen through a settlement of French families. They are wealthy refugees of war. Wayne also makes time to flirt with the French general's daughter. Wayne must also battle a rich and powerful rival who also has his sights set on her. Before long, this leads to war! This film is seriously over-plotted and overstuffed. That being said, I loved every minute of it. Oliver Hardy makes an interesting and random appearance in this film as well. What's better than seeing Wayne and Hardy in the same film? I can't think of too many things better than that.
Dakota (1945)
John Wayne plays a gambler in this film. No, he doesn't play Kenny Rogers. He plays a gambler who helps Dakota wheat farmers save their land from swindling entrepreneurs. This is probably the cheesiest film out of the eight in the John Wayne Box Set. The cast also features Ward Bond, Walter Brennan, and Nick Stewart. John Wayne also gets a rather uninteresting love interest in Vera Ralston. Everybody basically phones it in with this film. I was expecting a lot more from this film.
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| Tony Farinella |
Tony is an Oak Lawn, IL based film reviewer and columnist looking to have fun and share his unique views on film with everyone. Tony also has an unhealthy obsession with Vanessa Lengies, but that is neither here nor there.
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