Never understood why that old turd is so overrated..... 
John Wayne became a national icon, a symbol of America. He represented a strong will and spirit. the likes of which built this great country from the ground up. While his real life may not have been a great example, his on screen persona was one of great character. A man's word was gold, a hand shake was better than a contract or the words theren on paper. Some say he was not a great actor, I say go rent or better yet go buy the "Searchers" watch "Red River"
The man always stood behind this country and the freedoms that it holds. He even made a cheesy albiet patriotic movie "The Green Berets" during the Vietnam war crisis. He was a real man, did not care for what others thought and went on about life on screen and off. He was a party animal a womanizer, a poker player, an experienced boatsman sailer yachter, sportfisherman, gun collector.
Most of all.........he was an on screen hero for many many generations and, idolized by millions around the world. I have many of his movies but hardly all, he appeared in nearly 200 films. His first in 1926 his last in 1976, pretty good run.
He stood 6'4 weighed 245, drove around in a car with a bubble in the roof so he could wear his cowboy hat while driving, gotta love this guy. He through parties all day and night on his converted Naval Mine sweeper yacht, drank whiskey like people breathed air smoked nearly 6 packs a day.
He caught cancer and was subject to many a surgery. Had one lung removed, was later gutted like a fish to save him. He later could no linger enjoy life and lost 100 pounds and died an unpleasent death do to his consumption.
All in all the man will always be remembered as an American hero and Icon. He was awarded a medal by the Congress posthumessly with the aid of Maureen Ohara in 1980 or 81. the medal has his likeness and simlpy says....."John Wayne.......American"
In 1976 I was to meet Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne at an airport. Ronald Reagan was running for president when he was govoner of California. My Mother was a reporter then, my father was really happy about this. His three heroes. Well we met them all but John Wayne. His cancer was making him sick and week so he cancelled this showing. Would have been really cool.
