Related
Summary
Despite being a Brobdingnagian critical and commercial succeeder , John Wayne’sonly ocean monster movie is far from one of his best - known picture show . Although famous chiefly for headlining Westerns and war films , the Hollywood activity legend was n’t associated alone with those two musical style . At numerous points in his long career in Hollywood , Wayne bust away from his stock formula .
In addition to a throng of Westerns and war classic , Wayne also held lead roles in romantic comedies , adventure film , modern - twenty-four hour period dramas , and more . One of these period was in the early 1940s , even though he had recently made his first massive Western strike , Stagecoach , in 1939.John Wayne took fourth dimension to star in a numeral of non - Western , includingThe sheepman of the Hills , A Man Betrayed , and more . After starring opposite Joan Blondell in 1942’sLady for a Night , Wayne appear inReap the Wild Wind , which would go on to become a alone entry in his filmography .
Reap The Wild Wind Bucks 2 Massive John Wayne Movie Trends
Reap the Wild Windwas an strange film for Wayne for more than one reason . Taking place in the 19th century , the 1942 adventure epic featured an conclusion in which the primary characters battle a monstrosity - sized giant squid . Wayne play the part of Jack Stuart , a ship chieftain who twine up in a dearest triangle with the other two leads , Ray Milland ’s Steven Tolliver and Paullette Goddard ’s Loxi Claiborne . A dispute over what stimulate a orphic shipwreck - which Jack was taking the blame for - result in Jack and Steve team up to fight the 45 - foot - farseeing squid in the ocean inReap the Wild Wind’sending .
Legendary Western actor John Wayne had a major kick with a classic 1952 Western film , turning down the lead role because of ideological differences .
As if John Wayne fighting a sea ogre rather than a westerly outlaw is n’t surprising enough on its own , it ’s only part of what makesReap the Wild Windsuch a unusual movie for the actor . True to his " tough hombre " image , John Wayne fiber regularly get involve in gunfights and brawls , and allow that the fight is fairish , there ’s always an prospect for them to do out on top . However , that ’s not what happens inReap the Wild Wind , which play off Jack against Steve . Despite initially painting Jack as ' the hero ' of the story , it ’s actually Steve who acquire their fist fighting - and the one who terminate up with the two manpower ’s love interest at the oddment of the pic .
Why John Wayne Almost Turned Down His Reap The Wild Wind Role
Interestingly , Reap the Wild Windtaking such an unexpected direction witha John Wayne moviealmost ensue in the actor passing up the role . accord toEmpire of Dreams : The Epic Life of Cecil B. DeMilleby Scott Eymann , get Wayne to accept the part of Jack took some convincing , partially because of the fight his character was to recede to Steve . The playscript claims that after the director said that the role would n’t lead to any loss of self-worth , Wayne told DeMille that being beaten up by Ray Milland would " lose anybody their dignity . "
It ’s authoritative to keep in mind that although Wayne was not necessarily Hollywood ’s biggest wizard in 1942 and many of his large films were still yr off , Wayne was still considered a leading player by this compass point . Wayne had already madeStagecoachand was accustomed to engender top billing . InShooting Star : A Biography Of John Wayne , Maurice Zolotow revealed that Wayne expressed his business organisation to DeMille about play what he felt was a endure part . But as the book says , DeMille make do to sway Wayne through his persistence , say the histrion , " I want you very much . I give you my parole of honour that I will do you justice . "
How Reap The Wild Wind Helped John Wayne’s Career
Reap the Wild Windisn’t usually cite in the same breath as the likes ofRed River , Sands of Iwo Jiwa , Rio Bravo , orStagecoach , but even so , it remains an significant milestone in the Hollywood icon ’s life history . It received critical acclamation at the time , include three Academy Award nominations . The positive buzz it had earned at the time , unite with the prestigiousness that comes with starring a Cecil DeMille plastic film , facilitate improve Wayne ’s reputation and gather him extra interest from other studio .
