The incredibly racist John Wayne Oscars bit
Although John Wayne is remembered for being a legendary film icon, it is an undeniable reality that the actor harboured incredibly racist opinions. Beneath the cinematic persona existed a man whose beliefs frequently diverged from the ideals upheld in contemporary America. Wayne’s controversial positions on racial matters, notably regarding Black people and Native Americans, alongside his anti-communist views, cast a dark cloud over an otherwise celebrated career.
During an interview with Playboy in 1979, Wayne made his racist inclinations perfectly clear: “I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility,” he said. In the same interview, he continuously dismantled his own reputation to an extent that seemed irreversible, insisting that it’s equally challenging for a white man to succeed in the film industry, asserting Native Americans were selfishly attempting to retain their land, and advocating for profit-centric capitalism, citing that “some people just won’t carry their load”.
However, this incongruity between Wayne’s public persona and his private convictions came to the fore in a scarcely remembered incident at the Academy Awards. Footage from the event captures Wayne and comedian Bob Hope engaging in what was intended as light-hearted “banter” to amuse the prestigious audience. However, what was perceived as comedic repartee in that era is now viewed through a modern lens as a glaring instance of deeply troubling casual racism.
As Wayne was introduced, Hope and Wayne exchanged a couple of initial quips: “And now to present the award for the ‘Best Actress’; the rough, tough idol of a million feminine hearts. Two-gun, two-fisted Mr. John Wayne, right here,” Hope said. “Don’t you think you put it on a little thick?” Wayne then asked, to which Hope responded, “Well, actually, John, I wrote that introduction for myself, but the place is crawling with integrity. Where’ve you been lately, Long John?”
Hope then joked about Wayne’s recent activity in Japan, asking, “Isn’t that a little far West for a Western?” to which Wayne responded with: “We had no choice. They’ve used all the Indians. They’re all hired under television here.” The exchange continued, poking fun at cultural stereotypes, culminating in Hope’s jest about “two rustlers hijacking a stagecoach full of wonton soup?”
Watching the clip shows Wayne stumbling over his own ill-conceived words, botching the intended joke. Although meant as humour, these remarks underscore a deeper problem pervasive during Wayne’s time: the casual embrace of racial and ethnic stereotypes as disposable comedic fodder. Unfortunately, this Oscars episode serves to epitomise Hollywood’s perpetual stance toward diversity and representation during that era.
It’s instances like these that contribute to the persistence of Wayne’s problematic legacy. Undoubtedly, his impact on cinema is profound, carving a distinct place and becoming synonymous with the Western genre. However, his off-screen convictions, coupled with instances like the one at the Oscars, act as a stark reminder of a less inclusive period in Hollywood’s past.
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