The star who couldn’t stand working with John Wayne in 1960: “Arguing with the Duke”
Whether you’ve seen a John Wayne movie or not, you’ll surely be familiar with the Hollywood star, who became the most famous figure of the western genre, appearing in countless patriotic movies that would cement him as an American icon. Heralded by many, the actor appeared in some of the genre’s most popular titles, often partnering with John Ford.
After an injury stopped him from pursuing a sports career, Wayne got work on film sets, manoeuvring props and sometimes appearing as an extra, eventually landing bigger roles that would kickstart his tenure as an actor. He received his first leading role in The Big Trail, released in 1930, but it would not succeed at the box office, resulting in Wayne’s career halting to a standstill.
It wasn’t until 1939’s Stagecoach, helmed by Ford, that the actor was praised widely. He gained recognition for his efforts, subsequently becoming a star. From The Searchers and Rio Grande to True Grit and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Wayne built up a reputation as one of the most familiar figures in Hollywood.
Alongside this reputation, he was also known for being quite outspoken and difficult, getting into feuds with people and openly expressing bigoted views, with the worst being his genuine belief in white supremacy. Wayne was incredibly patriotic and conservative, and he certainly didn’t get on with everyone.
That combative streak wasn’t confined to interviews or public appearances either—it often spilled directly onto film sets. Wayne’s unwavering confidence in his own instincts, paired with his rigid worldview, meant that collaboration could quickly turn into confrontation, especially when others challenged either his creative decisions or his personal beliefs.
In many ways, that tension became an unavoidable byproduct of his larger-than-life persona. While it helped cement his image as a commanding presence both on and off screen, it also created an atmosphere where disagreements were rarely smoothed over quietly, setting the stage for the kind of clashes that would come to define productions like The Alamo.
When it came to filming his directorial debut, The Alamo, in 1960, Wayne was rather stressed. He had a lot of work to do, including writing, producing, directing, and starring in the movie; he even financed much of the project with his own money. Yet, this stress was heightened when he clashed with one of his stars – Richard Widmark.
The director originally wanted Widmark in the starring role, but Wayne eventually took it on himself after he discovered it would help him secure more financing. Thus, Widmark, who had previously won a Golden Globe for his role in Kiss of Death, played Jim Bowie instead. While he was a great actor, he didn’t believe he was the right person for the role and tried to leave the production several days before filming began. He was threatened legally, so he remained in the film, much to his reluctance.
Widmark did not want to be there, and the fact that he found Wayne a terrible director only made his disdain for the project more intense. He believed that the western star didn’t have the necessary capabilities to be a competent director, but he stuck it out. Additionally, Widmark was a Democrat who did not agree with Wayne’s racist, pro-gun beliefs, which also added fuel to the fire. According to John Wayne: My Life with The Duke, Widmark “kept on arguing with Duke in front of the cast and crew.”
In the end, The Alamo received mixed reviews, with most people criticising Wayne’s directorial skills. It also didn’t make back the money that Wayne forked out to pay for it simply because the final budget used for the film ended up being rather extortionate. It certainly wasn’t one of Wayne’s greatest efforts, leaving fans with the belief that his acting skills were much stronger than his directorial skills.
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