I met John Wayne once. I was a film production manager for a daytime TV show on ABC. I had the oportunity to visit Mr. Wayne on his "Wild Goose II". The following picture was the result, while waiting for the film crew to set up for the interview.
John Wayne (http://www.tom-elliott-photography.com//DatelineHollywood_2/content/0013_35A_JOHNWAYNEBW_RGB_copy_2_300dpi_Edit_4_Edit _copy_large.html)

Hi Tom
I think your photograph captured JW in special moment, a very good shot, thanks for showing it here. Any more information how the interview went?
Roland

Hi tom thanks for the photos they are great, this is why this site is the best jw site,we can all share what we have on our hero look forward to more information that you may have and others may have ,thanks again
Chris Maude.

Many thanks for your kind comments.
I do remember that the interview went well and I got a sense that Mr. Wayne was some one you could depend on. Especially if you were in a tight spot. So that leads me to: where does the person end/begin and the characters he played begin/end. You could call it type casting, which in Mr. Waynes case would be a good trait. Now I did not know him on a one to one basis at that interview was the only time I was in his presense. That is also true of many of the actors I was able to photograph during the "DATELINE: Hollywood" series. I think one of the main reasons I was able to get these "candids" was that I was not out for exploitation. Only to show, hopfully a positive side or a "typical"/"icon" side of the actors. They all knew I was taking the photos and in the case of Dean Martin and Georg Raft my only instructions were not to move too much for the shutter speeds were 1/2 to 1/15 of a second hand held. I just loved doing the shots. Sometimes in my "commercial" assignments of people I can get these kind of shots but rarely. This was a very unique time of my life. :)

That picture is totally cool. I must say that it captures a side of Duke that is rarely seen. Loved that shot. You did an awesome shoot.

Hondo B)

Regarding personal photos I once seen two good ones of the Duke that if anyone has could they please post onto this web site as I think many people would like to see them I knwo I would.

This first is of John Wayne lieing on a sofa beside his brother and there is a little dog lieing sleeping on Dukes knee.

The second is simply of the Duke water skeing behind a speed boat.

Good and interesting photo Tom, you mentioned interviewing the Duke was it recorded and do you remember anyrhing interesting that he said.

Cheers

Dear Robbie,
My job on "DATELINE: Hollywood" was that of a film production manager. This show was the last show on ABC-TV that was in B&W. It was aired five days a week, 1/2 hour segments, Monday-Friday. The Co-hosts were Rona Barret and Joanna Barns. It was the for runner of the current entertainment shows you see now that gives you all the Hollywood gossip, premieres and private parties. The only time I did any interviewing was when the location director could did not show up. This was before cell phone and in some cases beepers. When the film/location director did not show I would ask the question off camera (most of the time the old Sound of film) and the star would answer in a manner that did not require a question to be asked. In the case of John Wayne, the director did show. As a film production manager my main job was to make sure everyone got what they needed to do their job: film for the cameraman, pad a pencil for the director, tums, chewing gum, sun glasses for the star, in other words a GoFUR - go for this, go for that. It only took me about two weeks to master the job (the main thing was to master working with the stars and the people who thought they were stars. So, I only remember my general feeling about John Wayne as a person - someone you could depend on. As to the content, I would have to get a copy of the segment. I wish I could do that. But I do not know where to get any copies of that series. It would be a kenescope more than likely.
All for now.
Yours,
Tom

Miamitom :rolleyes:

Welcome to this site :P Thank you for displaying such a wonderful shot of the Duke :rolleyes:

Monique ;)