Interesting article by Frank Page on meeting John Wayne

http://www.hofmag.com/content/view/862/30/


Mike

Thanks for the story. I'm not sure how to take it, but that didn't seem to be the John Wayne I am accustomed to when recieving visitors. What is Frank Page's opinion of Duke personally?

Cheers :cool:

Keep in mind Dukes health was getting worse, and that can certainly put you in a foul mood, or do we really know Mr. Pace's political persuasion and if he is truly happy that John Wayne is still loved by millions and still in the top 10?

Chester :newyear:

I liked the article and I don't think Frank Pace meant to cast any kind of a negative light on our Hero. To me it sounds more like regret, which is why he may have called the article "My Shot With John Wayne". Here he had this chance to meet an American Icon and a Hero of his fathers and some insipid twit ruined it by telling a man of his stature what do in his own home.

He should have thrown her stupid a** in the pool.

Reminds me of being in the Marine Corps and getting some fresh young Lt. straight out of R.O.T.C., thinks they know everything, when in reality they would get you killed 5 minutes into a firefight. Not enough common sense to actually defer to someone with more experience.

Reading both Pilar's and Pat Stacy's books, they both tell how short of temper Duke became the last year of his life. He was always able to do anything he wanted to do untill the illness made it difficult for him. Frustration leads to anger. He always regretted any blow-ups after the fact. So, knowing that...I think the meeting probably took place on one of his bad days. The writer of the article didn't build on the negative, he just told how the meeting went. So I don't think he had any ulterior motives. Just my take on it.

Mark

I thought it was a super article! I don't think the guy was grinding any axes. If he'da had any to grind, he would have told his dad what really happened.

I would interpret the title of the article to the author's effort to salvage the photo session and his shot with John Wayne was his trying to get the Duke back out after the dumb gal shot her mouth off. Wonder if she ever worked again after that?

Thanks for posting it!

I think the article is fair and honest. You have to remember that John Wayne was flesh & blood like the rest of us. He treated fans and the general public with extreme courtesy even when some of them deserved a kick up the backside for the demands and ignorance they displayed to him and his family.

He was in considerable pain towards the end of his life which accounts for his short temper and he expected the same professionalism he displayed when making films from his dealings with people in the media and film industry.


Mike

I found it a great story and actually quite funny. How stupid was that lady to suggest to Duke where to take a picture? Especially in his own home, its not like you are dealing with some young actor who doesn't know any better!! In fact I might go so far as to say that this might have played out this way even if it had taken place 10 years before that day.

Thanks for the article.

I understand what you all said about his failing health and moody due to his illness. I guess if he said the reason why he acted that way, it would have made more sense. I interpreted that he was always that way. And yes I did read that he made a positive comment to his dad about meeting Duke. I thought that was more out of respect to his dad about his favorite actor. But reading your comments, I agree with what you said. And Viper I agree with you about that stupid woman. She had nerve. Must have been a Jane Fonda fan :ohmy: !

Cheers :cool:

P.S. Hope I didn't touch any nerves.

I found a computer that they would let me use, and this was something I could not pass up. I put the complete Story up over on Duke Stories but this will tell you why Duke would have those Bad Mood Changes and His Grouchiness.
:evilgrin:


On the Last Trip to Catalina on the Wild Goose He showed this ! Duke had spent most of the time in His State Room on the trip over, and then came out to talk the Guests after the Goose Was Anchored, and Duke told them. "The Witches Brew of the Drugs that Doctors were Giving Him, Made Him to have Very Abrupt Shifts in Mood." Then He Said " Those Damm Drugs will turn a Sunday School Teacher in to a Son-Of-A-Bitch !" Then Duke Apologized.
:yeaahh:


Chilibill
:cowboy:

Well said William. Pat Stacy's book on John Wayne gives an in depth account of Duke's last years and what pain and suffering he so bravely encountered before his death.

Mike

I have not read the Pat Stacy book. I don't have that one, so I need to get it. I do have the Pilar Wayne and the Assia Wayne book. I will get the the book.

Cheers :cool: Hondo

Well, I went back and re-read the article, and I think you guys are right - the author probably didn't have any ulterior motives.

The Mrs. read Pat Stacy's book two summers ago, and she says the last few chapters, chronicling Duke's last year, were a hard read. You felt like you were right alongside him, the way she wrote it, and it was grueling . . . :cry2:, especially because you KNEW what the ending was going to be.

Chester :newyear:

It sounds like the author related the facts without editorializing. Duke was apparently very frustrated with his condition and did not suffer fools gladly. He was only human.
Cheers - Jay:beer:

I think Jay is Correct, But Duke was Very Sick, and He Still tried Very Hard to Put His Best Face Forward !
Bill
:cowboy:

I think Jay is Correct, But Duke was Very Sick, and He Still tried Very Hard to Put His Best Face Forward !



Bill


:cowboy:


Dakota and I are pretty much in the same boat and I sure he'll agree from personal experience that chronic pain can make anybody an ass from time to time, Throw in the fact that you know you are dying as well and I think you are pretty much entitled to have a bad day.

I can understand what Duke meant about the meds, I have so many sometimes I can't keep track of whether or not I have taken them, but hey better life through chemistry:hyper:

My wife can attest to the mood swings I have on my medications. One day I can wake up feeling great and after I take my meds I want to tear the head off of anyone that crosses my path. Then my next set of meds usually make me real fatigued or put me to sleep . Depending on my pain level and the amount of narcotics I have to take, they usually nauseate me and that sets off my temper or bad mood. I don't believe in alternative methods, modern medicine is the only thing that's kept me alive for the last 16 years. My heart rate is usually in the 40's and my blood pressure is typically under 100/60 but I'm alive.

From what I've read about Duke's conditions he had to have been in excruciating pain at times to the point it probably drove him into fits of anger but it also sounded like he had as much control as anyone could have in that situation. I almost think we were better off dying younger than all this stuff that keeps us alive so much longer.

E-P and Dakoda
I have Not been there YET, but My Wife and Sweetheart for over 50 Years went thu this for 5 Years before She Past On, and the last year was Hell and Her Moods changed all the time, Just like Duke Did because of All the Drugs !
:yeaahh:
She was on just about everything they could think about. After 5 years it had cost over $1,200,000.00, But thank God I had Her for 5 Years More !
:stunned:


You Two Live Your Life Every Day To The Fullest Because as Duke would always Say "We all Have To Go Sometime !"
:cry2:


Who knows, I Might Spin-In and Buy The Farm on this Flying Trip on Monday?


Bill
:cowboy:

Who knows, I Might Spin-In and Buy The Farm on this Flying Trip on Monday?


Bill



Bill, Don't be talking like that, keep her on the strait and narrow, and keep safe,
and take good care of Flydo.....

Chester :newyear:

Bill

I'm not to concerned for myself, and only you can speak for you, but since they always say only the good die young, I'm pretty sure I'm good to go for a while yet:hyper: