Does anyone know of any famous stunts John Wayne did in his films. I was impressed that he actually did the jump over the four railed fence at the end of True Grit but what other famous and or impressive stunts did he do without the assistance of a stuntman.

B)

The modern "fight " scene was developed by Duke and Yak Caninutt.

Rick

Duke did most of the stunts in "McLintock!," like the mud fight, and the chase with Maureen O'Hara. He actually was in the fight and slid down the mud hill that was made up of bentonite at the bottom (This is a chalk derivative used in drilling oil wells and in chocolate syrup). What a gas!

Hondo :lol:

sorry but i dont think john did many of his own stunts even in mclintock you can clearly see his stunt double in a lot of the scenes this is coomon knowledge i am surprised you john wayne fans didnt know this

Welcome to the messageboard Big Jake but I seriously hope your wrong about Duke not doing many of his own stunts can anyone else help!!!!!!!!
:o

Big Jake

I know that in "McClintock!" he did do at least one stunt, the time when duke is chasing O'hara down the street and he jumps off the balcony into the wagon of straw. I saw documentary once that said that did many of his own stunts even a few late in his career. The show cited that one and said that the director was insisting that a double jump off the balcony so duke let it go and then as soon as the scene was over he let them pay the stunt man for the work and then made them reshoot it with him doing it because he just thought that it looked like fun, so he jumped.

Cheers,

Idaho

Thats impressive about that stunt in Mclintock Idaho but all I can state is that its disappointing that he did so little of his own stuntwork this is proven by the rather limited response to this question.

Big Jake

I really disagree with you on this so I decided to look into it. The IMDB states that Duke did all of his own stunts in Hatari I also read somewhere that when Duke made his comeback western the sons of Katie Elder that he refused to use a stuntman preffering to do all of his own stunts as he had in the past. Im sure that chester hondo and other Duke fans on this messageboard know of other stunts Duke did that they can elaborate on.

Hi!
Bumping this to the top because I'm new on this board and just read the discussion (hope I ain't crowdin you folks!). It's true, JW's stand-in for many years, Chuck Roberson, did a lot of standing in for the Duke which is sometimes painfully visible (at least for the fan who knows Duke's movements by heart). If you have the chance to watch a film on the big screen you can pick out Chuck even better (for example, riding the wagon with Dean Martin back to town after the ambush in "Katie Elder"). Chuck wrote a very fine book about being the Duke's stuntman for 20 or so years (try to get one on Amazon, it's full of anectode). Yet the reason for using Chuck in scenes which JW even in his elder years could have done without problem is not that he was frightend or lazy. Telling the audience that a star did his own stunts is only advertising the film. Wayne admired the stuntmen and had great respect for their art. There are lots of photos of Chuck Roberson, sometimes with Duke's other stuntman, Chuck Hayward, in the Wayne-costumes, and Wayne didn't mind that at all. He didn't hide them as many other stars did. When Roberson's grandson visited a set, admiring his grandpa, he asked Wayne what HE actually did in the picture. Wayne is reported to have said: "I just stand in for you grandpa in the close ups." Even back in the thirties, when Wayne did lots of stunts, the studio (not the star, the decision, after all, is not up to him) left the really dangerous ones to Yakima Cannut, and they joked about Yak's bold spot which really made it clear to the audience that it was somebody else falling off the horse (read Cannuts fine book "Stuntman").
So the reason why Roberson stood in for the Duke not only in the stunts but in a lot of long shots as well is simply: the star's time is worth a lot. If the audience can't tell in a long shot, then there's not reason to have the star do it. After all, Wayne was an actor. Not a stuntman. And no professional bronc buster either. Some guys made a living being Wayne's stand in even only once. When in Cong, Ireland, you'll most likely meet Wayne's Quiet Man stand in (he was in the long shots of the horse race and in the first scenes of the film, riding into town - they even taught him how to "walk like JW") who doesn't anything else in his old days but telling tourists how he worked in the film. And it's lots of fun listening to the guy! So: there is no disgrace in having a stand-in - that's strictly business. On the other hand Wayne is reported to have done a stunt in "Melody Ranch" (Gene Autry) - just for fun.
Roland

Hi ItDo

I think you are wrong when you state that John did none of his own stunts. I have just found out that on Hatari he did not just some but ALL of his own stunts, according to the John Wayne scrapbook he did just about all of his own stunt driving in McQ and Brannigan and he also did all of his own stunts in Big Jake the Searchers and The Cowboys, can anyone else name any of Johns big stunts???

B)

Hi Robbie
I didn't say Wayne wasn't capable of doing his own stunt, quite the contrary - among stuntmen he was regarded as someone who didn't back out when the going was rough. What I did state though is that a stand-in is quite usual to have. There was a Wayne-double on the set even on Hatari when it is visible that it's Wayne himself in the dangerous scenes (this was reported by the stuntman himself in one of Tim Lilley's interviews). It was advertised that the actors all did their own stunts yet in one shot it becomes clear that there are doubles at work for Valentin de Vargas and others (however, this is on the big screen, not quite visible on TV, I have the oppurtunity to screen Hatari). And even in Big Jake, there's good ol' Chuck Roberson riding for him in a Long Shot. Again: that doesn't mean Wayne would not have been capable of doing it himself - that's the whole point. If it's not necessary to use the star's time. These are shots that are taken by the 2nd Unit while the stars and director work in the 1st unit at the same time. I've seen pictures of a British stuntdriver doing the dangerous stuff in Brannigan. But look at that great shot in Hurricane Express where it's actually Wayne jumping from Bike to train in full speed! Other great Wayne stunts? He climbed atop the Stagecoach at the beginning of the chase (and nearly caused the producer a heartattack when he saw it - actually Yak Cannut did the jumping on the horses for him later on). He crashed through a table (which shouldn't have crashed) in the first fight scene of Donovan's Reef (concerned director John Ford jumped out of his seat). A great stunt in The Alamo when he stops a Mexican rider cold, knocking out his horse. He did the fine stunt in The Conqueror when a rider tries to lance him and he breaks the lance in two with his body (a similar stunt was filmed with Wayne-Crockett in The Alamo, but Wayne didn't use the shot in the final print). So there are lots of scenes to watch Wayne doing his own stunt. OK?
Roland

Hi Roland

Thanks for your last message it provided some great information, with regard to Brannigan I still think most of the stunt Driving was done by the Duke its plain to see in the outside shots and I have even watched it on a video clip on the Internet which I frezed framed to prove. Also all of fighting in the barroom in that same movie was done by duke. In the Alamo where did Duke knock out the horse and where did you learn that he cut out a similar scene in the Alamo. In Donovans reef though J Ford as a joke replace a stunt table with a real one Duke was supposed to crash through it but rolled right over it , in the film you can see the look of shock on his face.

P.s. Duke fans keep posting some of Johns other stunts that he did as I find it very interesting.

B)

Hi Robbie
that great stunt in The Alamo takes places when a Mexican rides up the flag post. The stunt Wayne cut out of the final print can be seen in the documentary (on laserdisc and DVD), it's a 8mm film that proves the stunt was filmed (in the book about the Making of The Alamo the author speculates that Wayne cut it because he believed he devoted to much action to himself).
There's other great stunts that come to mind (great topic, Robbie!): the underwater action in "Wake of the Red Witch" and "Reap the Wild Wind" that JW did himself.
And there's the spectacular shot in "Back to Bataan" where he literally gets blown out of his bomb shelter (it is said he refused to use a double because he was disgusted with the director whom he believed to be a Commie - so he wanted to show him that the Duke ain't no sissy).
I think JW did fall off his horse in "Allegheny Uprising" by himself (judging by the movement), a backward fall, certainly not so easy to do.
And then of course there's that fire sequence in "Circus World" in which he kept acting when the crew already had left because the fire got out of control. In the same film, when he climbs up the sinking ship it certainly doesn't look like rear projection but the real thing.

Hi Roland you certainly know your stuff I have learnt some brilliant information from your messages, I have become even more interested now and if you know of any more stunts please state them. If you had to pick the best stunt that John did himself which would you pick.

You aslo answered one of my earlier messages about the Alamo, I though thats Johns scenes at the end were scant but you have informed me that that was because he didnt want to devote too much time to himself even though he had the scenes filmed. Cheers

B)

John Wayne's best stunt? I really never thought about that (always listing in "favourite scenes" or "favourite movies"), that takes some thinking on my part to make up my mind. I guess that would be the climax of The Alamo, where he manages to get himself blown up (hey, that's a stunt, too, isn't it?) Maybe others might want to name their favourite stunt?

Yo Roland

I dont know if you can really count that as a personal stunt, its more a good action sequence do you have any other favourite stunts/action scenes that Duke personally did.

P.s. has anyone seen the War Wagon did Duke actually jump on that horse when he is getting away from the bandits( Please say yes)

B)

Hmmm. Maybe we should look at another scene from that picture: the saloon fight. Falling backwards over a table at age 60! Did you know that Wayne did the punching in the scene where Denver Pyle enters the saloon, just because he was the best puncher in the business? He also threw the chair that misses Kirk Douglas. And he's not even visible in those scenes (that's in the featurette, available on Video).

Roland you really do surpas all expectations each time you come on to this messageboard with your brilliant trivian and I have no idea where you get all this information from. Did John Wayne also do the punching of the man who tries to enter the bar in Brannigan.

B)

some interesting stuff but im still not convinced he did may big stunts would this be right itdo

Just bringing this topic back to the top to hopefully get some fresh inpuit from soem of the newer members or even the older ones in case they have learnt soemthing new latley which may be relevant to this topic.

Cheers

Originally posted by itdo@May 21 2003, 09:44 AM
Hmmm. Maybe we should look at another scene from that picture: the saloon fight. Falling backwards over a table at age 60! Did you know that Wayne did the punching in the scene where Denver Pyle enters the saloon, just because he was the best puncher in the business? He also threw the chair that misses Kirk Douglas. And he's not even visible in those scenes (that's in the featurette, available on Video).
913


Hi Roland

Does that featurette you reffered to actually show the Duke puching the guy who walks into the bar.

:agent:

Originally posted by Robbie@May 14 2003, 12:30 PM
I have just found out that on Hatari he did not just some but ALL of his own stunts, according to the John Wayne scrapbook he did just about all of his own stunt driving in McQ and Brannigan and he also did all of his own stunts in Big Jake the Searchers and The Cowboys, can anyone else name any of Johns big stunts???
B)
820

Bringing this back from ancient times -
Robbie - you're correct about Hatari. I just recently read where JW did all his stunts in this movie, including the capture of the rhino (supposedly, seven different rhinos were captured on film prior to editing the picture into shape) and the other various animals. I wonder how much footage landed on the cutting room floor?
Cheers - Jay ^_^

Robbie - you're correct about Hatari. I just recently read where JW did all his stunts in this movie, including the capture of the rhino (supposedly, seven different rhinos were captured on film prior to editing the picture into shape) and the other various animals. I wonder how much footage landed on the cutting room floor?


Jay, Hatari, as you could tell ;) Is one of my all time favorite John Wayne films. It would be very interesting to see what was "cut" from the film. Chances are rather slim that we would be able to see it though.

Question on Hatari..

IS this the movie that has a song I think is called: Baby Elephant Walk? which I think was by henry Mancini??? It's been many years since I last saw the movie in full and im kinda gettin' in the mood for watching it next time it's on.

Hi Ringo -
You hit the nail on the head. "Baby Elephant Walk" was composed by Mancini for "Hatari." "Your Father's Feathers" was another musical segment backing the ostrich scenes that became popular. Would you believe I still have the LP (we're talking ancient technology here) album of this music?
Cheers - Jay :D

Ahh "Baby Elephant Walk". Very catchy toon!!!

I'm sure as most of us are, Duke did indeed do lots of his own stunts, obviously helped throughout his career by Yak, the two Cliffs and one or two others.!
Remember in SANDS, when he dived into the mud pool, which at the time was freezing, he had to do it several times, he was not impressed!
THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER- it's documented in most books, that even coming back straight after his operation, and indeed needing oxygen, to even be in that film, it was he who was flapping about in the water!

Wayne had a stuntman on HATARI, as well as the other cast members. You must think about it in terms of logistics. There was a second unit crew, headed by Paul Helmick (see his book CUT! THAT'S A WRAP) who shot improvised scenes just whenever they could get the animals to "participate". The teams were miles apart. Then Hawks would come in with the main actors, and, animals still willing, filled in what he needed to complete the shot.

Tim Lilley interviewed Wayne's stuntman on Hatari! - the name escapes me right now, it's the same man who doubled him in Rio Bravo (jumping into the barn, falling down the stairs, riding down main street). They had an argument because he told the press he was doubling Wayne in this one. He also was one of the henchmen, the guy Dean Martin gets his gun from in the "now you can just buy what you want, Chance" scene. It was clearly publicity - and obviously it works until today - to say there weren't any stuntmen on Hatari! Of course, it's obvious that Wayne and cast did a hell of a lot of things themselves! But remember, this is make-believe. You don't put a million-dollar-cast in harm's way if you can use a stand-in in long-shot.

Duke was sometimes critisised for is supposed inability to manage a stage team, I watched a documentary recently showing Duke doubling for the lead and taking control of an high speed stagecoach.

:agent:

I checked the interview I was talking about, it's an the Campfire Conversations book by Tim Lilley, the stuntman's name is Ted White.

In Hatari!, two people got killed.
Elsa Martinelli's double was killed by a lion.
One of the white hunters they hired for the production was killed in a jeep accident.
Of course, things like that didn't end up in the publicity campaign book.

Hi

If you're in the mood for the music from Hatari catch the RCA CD recording by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra SGAE BIEM 74321611222
Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol 1998 BMG Music Spain

Songs Include

Theme From Hatari
Baby Elephant Walk
Just For tonight
Your Father's Feathers
Night Side
Big Band Bwana
The Sound of Hatari
The Soft Touch
Crocodile Go Home


Regards

Arthur

Some good stuff in this topic in which Itdo introduced himself to the board.

I was watching Big Jake recently and noticed that Duke performed the stunt in which he falls backwards over a table after being punched.

Does anyone know what Dukes last stunt was?

:agent:

I guess I missed the first resurrection of this thread - what a gem!

You ask a good question (what was JW's last stunt?),one for which I do not have an answer. Where's itdo when we need him?? Although I may be underestimating the other members of this board, and if that is the case, I apologize in advance :rolleyes: .

Chester :newyear:

Hi,

I would have thought, even in ill health,
You can bet Duke did at least one of his own stunts,
in The Shootist !!!

Hi Keith

I thought that to but the only stunt in the Shootist was the dive over the bar and Duke falling after being shot but both were performed by a stuntman.

What about McQ when Duke dives behind a series of bins prior to being shot at by Paddy Samuels.

:agent:

Although I can't really say exactly what Duke's last film stunt was, I would still have to say that his last stunt, at least in the terms of doing something physically taxing, and not allowing someone to take his place when the act of doing it himself would have caused him extreme pain and discomfort, was his walk down the stairs at the Academy Awards when he made his last appearance on TV. I think, in spite of the great amount of pain he was in, and the considerable effort it took for him to make that walk and stand up in front of everyone, he wouldn't have missed it for the world. And I think it just goes to show what a great man he was, and a great talent. God how I miss him.

Sorry to get all maudlin on ya'll. Gotta go. I'm makin' myself all teary eyed.

Colorado Bob