When John Wayne became a real-life hero on set: “I was the one who handled the situation”
Even after all these years following his demise, the reputation of John Wayne still precedes him. More than the on-screen achievements, it is his political controversies and ultranationalism that have come to define his posthumous legacy, inevitably colouring the perspectives of younger generations of audiences who eventually decide to venture into his extensive body of work.
As the face of not just Hollywood but a representation of American culture on an international scale, it shouldn’t be surprising that Wayne elicited a wide range of associations in the minds of audiences across several demographics. Although his dangerous and harmful contributions during the McCarthy era permanently damaged many of his colleagues’ lives, his immense cultural impact is simply undeniable.
Wayne’s image as the quintessential cowboy who rides in to save the day became a cornerstone of American cinematic culture, which was imitated and parodied by filmmakers all around the world. However, on one particular occasion, he actually got the chance to play the hero on set when it looked like things were on the verge of spinning out of control.
This happened during the production of The Barbarian and the Geisha, John Huston’s 1958 adventure flick, which featured Wayne as an American Consul General in Japan. Forced to navigate the complicated relationships that the Japanese have with foreigners, Wayne’s character steadily strengthens community ties while trying to meet the country’s chief military leader.
According to Michael Munn’s book John Wayne: The Man Behind the Myth, one scene where Wayne was required to set a village on fire and put dead bodies on boats resulted in a mishap, leading to multiple local boats blowing up. Seen as an act of aggression, the residents attacked the Japanese crew members, and it looked like the conflict was only going to get worse before Wayne stepped in.
Recalling the incident, Wayne said: “When I saw the riot begin, I ran down to the docks and began waving my hands and shouting for everyone to calm down. The rioters saw me, and I guess they liked John Wayne enough to stop the riot. I promised all the fishermen that I would make good their losses out of my own pocket if the studio wouldn’t.”
The actor also criticised Huston’s cowardice: “Well, when Huston saw and heard this, he just walked away and never said a word. He couldn’t bear the fact that he’d goofed badly and that I was the one who handled the situation.”
The Barbarian and the Geisha has now become a forgettable part of both Wayne and Huston’s illustrious filmographies, not only marked by such an arduous production but also complicated by studio directives as well as Wayne’s strange performance.
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