Travis Simpkins

Blue Steel (1934): John Wayne

Written and directed by Robert N. Bradbury, Blue Steel (1934) was an early John Wayne production made for Monogram Pictures. The story is typical Hollywood Western… an undercover lawman joins the pursuit of a bandit. The action is fast-paced and enjoyable. John Wayne is great in the lead role. The rest of the cast is good as well, including George "Gabby" Hayes and Eleanor Hunt.

Blue Steel. 1934: John Wayne

The Quiet Man (1952): John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara and John Ford in Ireland

Directed by John Ford, The Quiet Man (1952) captured the beauty of Ireland on film… and presented an another side of John Wayne. The story concerns an Irish-American boxer, retired after killing another fighter in the ring, who returns to his hometown in Ireland to reclaim his family's land. The Oscar-winning cinematography is brilliant, presenting the green Irish countryside in vibrant hues. John Wayne delivers one of his great non-Western performances. Maureen O'Hara is lovely. The supporting cast is great as well, including Victor McLaglen and Ward Bond.

The Quiet Man. 1952: John Wayne

The Quiet Man. 1952: Maureen O'Hara

The Quiet Man. 1952: John Wayne and Victor McLaglen

The Quiet Man. 1952: Maureen O'Hara

The Quiet Man. 1952: John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara

The Quiet Man. 1952: Maureen O'Hara

The Quiet Man. 1952: John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara

The Quiet Man. 1952: Victor McLaglen and John Wayne

"The Quiet Man"- movie trailer

Red River (1948): Howard Hawks, John Wayne and Montgomery Clift

Directed by Howard Hawks, based on a story by Borden Chase, Red River (1948) is one of the true great Western Cowboy films. The story spans 14 years in the mid 19th Century, and concerns a rancher and his adopted son driving cattle to market 1,000 miles away… and the inevitable conflicts and troubles that arise. John Wayne delivers one of his all time best performances. Montgomery Clift, Walter Brennan and Joanne Dru are great in supporting roles. Dimitri Tiomkin scores the music.