John Wayne’s Hatred for ‘High Noon’ and the Impact on Western Films

John Wayne, the legendary star of western films, is known for leaving his mark on the genre. However, there was one movie he despised with a passion, despite being the first actor offered the lead role. His complicated relationship with this film, ‘High Noon’, became a point of contention over the years.

Full Review

Released in 1952, ‘High Noon’ stars Gary Cooper as a sheriff whose life is turned upside down when he learns that a criminal he had once captured is on his way back to seek revenge. Desperate for help, he tries to rally support from the townspeople, but no one is willing to stand by his side.

The film, directed by Fred Zinnemann, is considered one of the greatest westerns of all time. However, Wayne’s disdain for it stemmed from his belief that the screenplay by Carl Foreman was a critique of the blacklisting happening in Hollywood during the McCarthy era. He also felt that ‘High Noon’ challenged American values.

Cooper eventually took on the role and received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Sheriff Will Kane, earning an Oscar for Best Actor. Unable to attend the ceremony as he was filming in Europe, Cooper asked Wayne to accept the award on his behalf. Wayne, setting aside his animosity towards the film, graciously delivered the following statement:

“I’m glad to see it go to a man who not only deserves it but has conducted himself in our business in a way that we can all be proud of. Now that I’ve finished displaying my sportsmanship, I’ll go find my business manager and agent and see why I didn’t get ‘High Noon’ instead of Cooper.”

This humorous remark masked Wayne’s true feelings about the movie. It wasn’t until years later, in a 1971 interview with Playboy, that he openly criticized ‘High Noon’:

“Everyone says ‘High Noon’ is a great movie because Tiomkin composed great music and because Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly starred in it. So it has everything going for it. In that movie, four men come to kill the sheriff. He goes to the church and asks for help, and the men say, ‘Oh, well, oh gosh.’ And the women stand up and say, ‘You’re all yellow. You’re yellow. You’re yellow.’ So Cooper goes it alone. It’s the most un-American thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life. The last thing you see is Coop putting the sheriff’s badge under his foot and stepping on it. I’ll never regret having helped run Foreman out of this country.”

Wayne’s involvement in the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, which collaborated with McCarthy on the blacklists, further solidified his stance against ‘High Noon’. Foreman, the screenwriter, was blacklisted for six years and had to move to the UK to continue his career.

Furthermore, Wayne’s distaste for ‘High Noon’ influenced director Howard Hawks, who shared his view on the film’s portrayal of heroism. This led to their collaboration on ‘Rio Bravo’ in 1959, another acclaimed western that embodied their belief in a true American hero.

Conclusion

Despite the cinematic brilliance of ‘High Noon’, the controversies surrounding the film and its impact on the industry cannot be ignored. The clash of ideologies between Wayne and the filmmakers sheds light on the complexities of Hollywood during that era.

FAQs

1. What year was ‘High Noon’ released?

‘High Noon’ was released in 1952.

2. Who starred in the lead role in ‘High Noon’?

Gary Cooper portrayed the sheriff in ‘High Noon’.

3. Why did John Wayne dislike ‘High Noon’?

Wayne believed the film’s message was anti-American and critical of Hollywood blacklisting.

4. Who accepted Gary Cooper’s Oscar for ‘High Noon’?

John Wayne accepted Cooper’s Oscar for Best Actor on his behalf.

5. What organization was John Wayne a part of that collaborated with McCarthy?

Wayne was involved in the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals.

6. How did John Wayne’s criticism of ‘High Noon’ influence ‘Rio Bravo’?

Wayne’s views on heroism in ‘High Noon’ inspired the direction of ‘Rio Bravo’ with director Howard Hawks.

7. Who was the screenwriter of ‘High Noon’ and what happened to him?

Carl Foreman wrote ‘High Noon’ and was blacklisted for six years in Hollywood.

8. What was the main theme of ‘High Noon’ according to John Wayne?

Wayne believed the film portrayed an un-American depiction of heroism.

9. How did ‘High Noon’ impact the western film genre?

The controversies surrounding ‘High Noon’ influenced future western films and the portrayal of heroism in the genre.

10. What was the significance of ‘High Noon’ in Hollywood history?

‘High Noon’ remains a classic in western cinema, showcasing the tensions and ideologies of its time.

Tags

John Wayne, High Noon, Western Films, Gary Cooper, Hollywood, Blacklisting