Considering their political views, and (as per the trivia section) Kate's earlier unwillingness to work with John, how did they get along during the making of the movie?
I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.
By all accounts, swimmingly. Wayne even kissed her melodramatically at the end of shooting, remarking "Now THAT's a woman!"
shareRichard Jordan (who played Hawk) thought Wayne was pretty rotten to Hepburn, but that she had so much class that she never let it get to her. Jordan came away from it admiring Hepburn a lot, "detesting" Wayne.
shareI don't know why Jordan would say that at all.
It's a well documented fact that JW & KH got along VERY well throughout the entire time they worked on the film. She was effusive in her praise and admiration for him, as he was about her.
It's funny how there aren't any negative comments from cast and crew to support Jordan's "claims."
Were these comments in a book somewhere? RJ supposedly burned several bridges during his time in Hollywood, but I never had any first hand knowledge of it.
To the contrary, I have spoken with several Hollywood insiders close to this and many other JW projects, and they stated that he and "Kate" acted like giddy school kids together off screen. They certainly had a lot to talk about, given their connection through the great John Ford.
It's certainly possible Jordan "despised" JW, but not for being rude or difficult with Katherine Hepburn...
I don't act...I react. John Wayne
I just read Jordan's comments in an interview somewhere. He was extraordinarily candid in his opinions in general. He was inclined to say exactly what he thought, positive or negative. Took after his grandfather that way. I always wondered why he never got a nose broken.
shareThanks for the reasoned response.
I've heard that about him as well. I touched base with someone I know (not a bosom buddy, mind you) who's worked with Marcia Cross (his lover) forever, and they said Marcia made the same statement as you just have about him stating his opinion no matter the outcome.
I also agree with you about the nose issue!
I don't act...I react. John Wayne
Thanks for the response.
I agree with you about the nose thing!
I don't act...I react. John Wayne
I suppose it's possible that Jordan perceived things differently than Duke and Kate themselves did.
"I shall tread uncommon wary and keep my pepperbox handy."
It's also possible that JW and KH, being products of the studio system, knew that the studio (in those days, anyway) liked it better if any difficulties on the set were smoothed over with big smiles in public.
I guess I'm inclined to give Jordan's read some credence, just because he was so reliably and brutally honest with his opinions. Cost him friends in high places (and low ones too, probably) but you didn't have to guess where he was coming from and you didn't have to suspect he was smiling at your face while stabbing you in the back. If he was going to stab you, he'd do it right up front, and if he smiled to you up front, you could be pretty sure he was smiling about you all the time.
Can anyone provide corroboration of Richard Jordan's nasty remarks about the Duke?
I met Jordan when I was 14 and was not impressed. He was very handsome but had an insufferable ego and was rude to the waitress serving him. I will never forget it.
Just because Richard Jordan liked to shoot his mouth off doesn't necessarily mean he was being more "brutally honest" than everyone else.
hkfilmnews.blogspot.com
porfle.blogspot.com
I don't know much about Richard Jordan, but I know that simply speaking up (or having a big mouth) does not intrinsically make one either honest or correct. We often confuse volume with honesty, and they're certainly not the same.
shareAnd in addition to that, I don't even recall any scenes that required Wayne, Hepburn, and Jordan to be together in the same shot. They certainly worked very little together if at all. As far as I remember, none of Duke and Kate's scenes together required Jordan's presence save perhaps a long shot or two.
hkfilmnews.blogspot.com
porfle.blogspot.com
I'd have to agree. I've read a number of accounts stating that Wayne and Hepburn were much taken with each other from the get-go and this is the first I've read to the contrary. It's interesting that Jordan is the lone dissenter.
shareI heard the same thing with Roscoe Lee Brown and John Wayne when they were working together in the movie The Cowboy regarding their political viewpoints. It seems that they just avoid talking to each other by mutual agreement about what was happening in the USA.
shareHepburn turned down Hondo because of Wayne's politics. In 1974, when Rooster Cogburn was shot, she may not have had as much choice. But certainly, Wayne was already familiar with Hepburn because as the story goes, she asked him why he was being so nice to her, and Duke responded with "I promised Jack Ford I would". He would have known about the Hepburn-Ford affair.
shareBut certainly, Wayne was already familiar with Hepburn because as the story goes, she asked him why he was being so nice to her, and Duke responded with "I promised Jack Ford I would".
Old post, but I have to reply. Actually, I won't: Miss Hepburn's own words will:
Katharine Hepburn on John Wayne:
"From head to toe he is all of a piece. Big head. Wide blue eyes. Sandy hair. Rugged skin – lined by living and fun and character. Not by just rotting away. A nose not too big, not too small. Good teeth. A face alive with humor. Good humor I should say, and a sharp wit. Dangerous when roused. His shoulders are broad – very. His chest massive – very. When I leaned against him (which I did as often as possible, I must confess – I am reduced to such innocent pleasures), thrilling. It was like leaning against a great tree. His hands are big. Mine, which are big too, seemed to disappear. Good legs. No seat. A real man’s body.
And the base of this incredible creation. A pair of small sensitive feet. Carrying his huge frame as though it were a feather. Light of tread. Springy. Dancing. Pretty feet.
Very observing. Very aware. Listens. Concentrates. Witty slant. Ready to laugh. To be laughed at. To answer. To stick his neck out. Funny. Outrageous. Spoiled. Self-indulgent. Tough. Full of charm. Knows it. Uses it. Disregards it. With an alarming accuracy. Not much gets past him.
He was always on time. Always knew the scene. Always full of notions about what should be done. Tough on a director who had not done his homework. Considerate to his fellow actors. Very impatient with anyone who was inefficient. And did not bother to cover it up….
Life has dealt Wayne some severe blows. He can take them. He has shown it. He doesn’t lack self-discipline. He dares to walk by himself. Run. Dance. Skip. Walk. Crawl through life. He has done it all. Don’t pity me, please.
And with all this he has a most gentle and respectful gratitude toward people who he feels have contributed very firmly to his success. His admirers. He is meticulous in answering fan mail. Realistic in allowing the press to come to the set. Uncomplicated in his reaction to praise and admiration. Delighted to be the recipient of this or that award – reward. A simple man. None of that complicated Self-Self-Self which seems to torment myself and others who shall be nameless when they are confronted with the Prize for good performance. I often wonder whether we behave so ungraciously because we really think that we should have been given a prize for every performance. And are therefore sort of sore to begin with. Well, as I began – he is a simple and decent man. Considerate to the people who rush him in a sort of wild enthusiasm. Simple in his enjoyment of his own success. Like Bogie. He really appreciates the praise heaped upon him. A wonderful childlike, naive open spirit.
As an actor, he has an extraordinary gift. A unique naturalness. Developed by movie actors who just happen to become actors. Gary Cooper had it. An unselfconsciousness. An ability to think and feel. Seeming to woo the camera. A very subtle capacity to think and express and caress the camera – the audience. With no apparent effort. A secret between them … Wayne has a wonderful gift of natural speed. Of arrested motion. Of going suddenly off on a new tack. Try something totally unrehearsed with him. He takes the ball and runs and throws with a freedom and wit and gaiety which is great fun. As powerful as is his personality, so too is his acting capacity powerful. He is a very very good actor in the most highbrow sense of the word. You don’t catch him at it."
Sounds like she admired him greatly.
..Joe
Sounds like she admired him greatly.
In George Takai's memoir he talked about getting to know John Wayne when they were making "The Green Berets". You can't get much further left than Takai, but George liked the Duke and got on well with him. They talked about politics and Wayne listened to and respected Takai's views. By the many accounts I've read by those who knew him, the Duke was an intelligent, decent man.
share