John Wayne: The Man Behind the Myth by Michael Munn (PDF)

Description

A rare behind-the-scenes look at John Wayne: the legend, hero, and Hollywood icon of numerous epic Western films, including an Academy Award-winning performance in True Grit. No legend ever walked taller than “The Duke.” Now, author Michael Munn’s startling new biography of John Wayne sets the record straight on why Wayne didn’t serve in World War II, on director John Ford’s contribution to Wayne’s career, and the mega-star’s highs and lows: three failed marriages, and two desperate battles with cancer. Munn also discloses publicly, for the first time, Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s plot to assassinate Wayne because of his outspoken, potentially influential anti-Communist views. Drawing on time spent with Wayne on the set of Brannigan—and almost 100 interviews with those who knew him—Munn’s rare, behind-the-scenes look proves this “absolute all-time movie star” was as much a hero in real life as he ever was on-screen.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Told by those who were there at the time of various fim shooting, the book gives a personal look at the man who was revered by the majority

⭐Dear Duke,Yet another greenhorn (and a Limey to boot) has come forward with a biography of your life. I think you’ll like this one. At least it’s by someone you knew and considered a friend. You remember the kid you gave a list of all your friends with their phone numbers to when he interviewed you while making Brannigan? Michael Munn, the one who called you a living legend, that’s right. Well he did his home-work and came up with a terrific little book on you. He really admired you and you can tell from his writing. But it’s an honest look at your life and I don’t think he could have done it without some of that blunt honesty of yours having rubbed off on him during those few days you spent together. He was too much of a fan of yours to include such private and untoward moments in your life otherwise.He’s no Hemingway but he was able to put together a pretty good narrative out of the many anecdotes from your friends and even a number of Hollywood and Washington types you’ve butted heads with. Best of all, he did a great job of clearing up quite a few misconceptions about your personal beliefs and activities.I hope you’ll take time to read the book. It will give you peace because you’ll find out how folks really thought of you and it will also surprise you to see that your work is appreciated a lot more now than when you were still working.If I had to rate the book, I’d give it 3 stars for research, 1 more for its literary value and 1 more for a total of 5 because you told him to try and write a book about you and he did with your kind of honesty.Your friend and fan,RJPS: You were right about Clint Eastwood.PPS: They did a remake of True Grit with Lloyd’s boy, Jeff, in the lead. Don’t get mad when you see it. They were trying to follow the original novel, not re-invent you.

⭐a helluva book about a helluva Man. As a professional writer I can appreciate Munn’s work. Wonderfully written and superbly researched. Munn is careful to cite sources for all of his claims and sources

⭐I am a long-time fan of John Wayne so was hoping to really enjoy this book. I guess my biggest problem with it is the writing style. It did not flow that well for me and thus did not captivate my attention. I was hoping for a book that I would pick up and find hard to put down. Instead, I found it to be a book that I didn’t pick up first, nod when I did, would read a couple of chapters and then put it down. Maybe some pictures would have helped. Could be just me. Because of that I gave it 3 stars.Having said that, it is informative based on interviews of many people who knew and worked with the Duke, friends, family, and even some interviews with John Wayne himself, so we get insight into him as an actor, friend, husband, and father. He loved his craft and was probably better at it than the critics gave him credit. For sure, he loved his family and children, was a loyal friend, and an unquestionably loyal and patriotic American. As for his marriages…I think he probably chose to spend too much time with his guy pals when he should have been home; thus the relationships suffered. Something not unusual in Hollywood. He was a man’s man, in the movies and in real life. While this isn’t my favorite JW book, it definitely has a place on the shelf of avid fans. Buy and decide for yourselves.

⭐This is a very good breezy tour through the life and legend of John Wayne, with good coverage of both individual films and his personal life. Advantage here to the biographer because he both spoke with Wayne evidently at length on the set of “Brannigan” and also with many of his co-stars, co-workers and family members. My “but” comes from the various and hard-to-believe macho communist confrontations that seem to come directly from a bad movie script, particularly the part where the legendary Yakima Canutt and a bunch of stuntmen somehow throw a bunch of Russians out of the country single-handedly. The info on this story comes mainly from Canutt himself and some other sort of documentation/evidence/information might have been…helpful?? At times, it veers into Fox News insanity – but 90% of the book avoids this kind of stuff and focuses on real, researched information.

⭐if you love the Duke, you’ll love this book.

⭐This is a must for any John Wayne fan. The Author gives you a look behind the scenes in Wayne’s life, and every movie he ever made in chronological order. There are many interviews with people that The Duke worked with in each movie. His family and business life are explored. Many people will be fascinated with the Communist plot on his life and how the FBI foiled that plot right in John Wayne’s office. If you love John Wayne movies and like inside details, put this book in your lap during a John Wayne movie and see how they did it, what happened on the set, and what problems were going on.

⭐I really enjoyed the unabashed behind the scenes look at a legend and the film-making process. If possible, respect for Duke Wayne grew with each chapter.

⭐I have been a John Wayne fan for as long as I can remember, I watch the films over and over again, I couldn’t even say how many times I have watched The Alamo, probably his best filmBorn Marion Michael Morrison, John Wayne, the legend slowly begins his film career with bit parts in what could be descibed as B movies, being under contract to Replublic studios he was unable to enlist during the second world war but this was the time he had his first box office hit with The Fighting SeabeesVery outspoken on political affairs John Wayne openly spoke out against communism, Stalin had ordered his death in 1949 but was unable to follow through with the threatThe worst film he ever starred in was The Conquerer in fact because of nuclear missile testing nearby he blamed this for his discovery he had cancer, he also claims that half the cast went down with cancer related symptons due to a dust in the air they were all breathingJohn Waynes greatest wish was to make The Alamo and direct it but there were so many problems that the film almost made him bankrupt, but finished it was, its a shame that when shown on the Tv they usually cut it to death, I have seen the original version and I would estimate sometimes up to an hour can be cutWhat must be mentioned is his film the Green Berets, this film was made to explain to the Americans just what they were fighting for in Vietnam, a great film with a great sound track and he was to recieve another death threat this time from Mao Tse-tungWaynes last film was The Shootist, an ageing gunfighter dieing from cancer, in 1979 John Wayne died from cancer after making over 200 films at 79yrs oldAn interesting book, you will probably find quite a lot you didn’t know about this legend, worth a read

⭐Ideal for any John Wayne fan. Well packed and quick delivery.

⭐i have loads of jw dvds and videos so ive started on book collecting

⭐I gave the book as a gift. It was wholly enjoyed & kept the receivers attention all the way through

⭐Great

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