By rooster_cogburn

May 10, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

Not only do I appreciate the film contribution (of course where I got my handle used in tribute to a man of “True Grit”), but the I also appreciate how he brought a more humane perspective to thinking about our Native Americans, shown clearly in McClintock. I also appreciated the atleticism he demonstrated (an athlete at USC), actually jumping a three rail fence on horseback (with one lung) in his only Oscar winning performance, as Rooster Cogburn in “True Grit”. Then, the saddness of the autobigraphical protrayal of a dying gunfighter in his last film “The Shootist”, always brings tears to my eyes. Yes, he was a great actor, but even a better American.

By susan

May 9, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

he was, and remains, the quintessential representation of the American ideal … unambiguously committed to principles of fairness, courage and decency that our nation embodied during those halcyon days after WWII. he was father, brother, son, uncle, friend, neighbor, commanding officer and sheriff all in one very appealing package. my favorite role of his was Colonel John Marlowe in “The Horse Soldiers.” His portrayal of the determined Union cavalry officer on a mission through the south was perfectly balanced against the cynical regimental surgeon who is sick of the butchery of war, played by William Holden. Holden’s post-modern portrayal has no chance against the romantic fantasy Wayne offers of a man who every woman would want and every man would like to be.