Classic Bike Ramblings John Wayne.....The Wild Goose and..........America
Well my 36 loyal readers someone recently asked me why my articles contain so many stories about music and the military, and no, I didn't take this as criticism or as a knock on my very un-motorcycle topics. I explained to my new friend that music and motorcycles have a very interesting and almost constant relationship with each other, and as we all know the military is a part of America's motorcycle history. Our m/c clubs and their popularity of use was directly influenced and created by the men and yes, the women who came back from the epic time that was World War II. These were also the people who kept America "the" greatest free democracy in the world, and then came the soldiers from the Korean War, the Vietnam war and our recent Middle East conflict's and so many men and women that served who make up the motorcycle community today. The biker community seems to be a very pro-American and very patriotic bunch as a whole, much more so than most of our populace seems to be today, and my new buddy nodded in agreement. That brought us to the topic of movies and politics and the roles they both played not only in America's history but also the militaries, and how the U.S. is perceived world wide through film and policy. And you know it occurred to me, Mr. 500, that I never write of politics though I often speak of them. Much like my writing "Idol" Ernest Hemingway, I never use my writings as a platform for my religious or political views or to futher commercial endeavors. As you all know I will be leaving my writing career to move on to being an international marimba star in a few months and I wouldn't change my writing style to try and influence you now my 91 loyal readers. But since we are on that "topic" I'd like to point out that in 5 months you will either "put up or shut up" you will get to exercise your right to vote. Suffice to say I believe anyone that could be my President: A) should have served in a military branch or have an amazing knowledge of its dynamics, B) should have a continuous track record of un-wavering votes, real convictions and a record of doing something before office and C) should surround themselves with the smartest, sharpest and best minds they can pull together. I personally will vote for the best candidate for the job of running the greatest superpower on earth (for now). But being true to not making this a "personal" rant I am going to tell you of my thoughts and views by introducing you to my favorite actor and maybe of our great nation (remember where we started!) One who has come to be known as a "super patriot" with very outspoken views, who did not serve but yet caused millions to "don" the uniform of the United States. As of 2012, this actor was named the top money making star ever with over 250 movies to his credit
of which 142 would be lead roles. Marion Mitchell Morrison born May 26,1907. A top box office star for thirty years who has become an American icon and a symbol of the true American hero both in films and off screen. Born in Winterset, Iowa his family would move to Los Angeles when "John Wayne" as he would become known as, was four. Wayne's father was a pharmacist in Glendale, Calif. and it would be there that young Marion would get his famous nickname "Duke" as he was always seen in the company of the families large Airdale Terrier "Duke" and he was often called "Lil Duke" by the local firefighters, preferring "Duke" to his given name Marion. The nickname would stick his entire life. In a very meaningful note he would apply to the U.S. Naval Academy but was not accepted, instead he chose the USC Trojans, majoring in pre-law. He would receive a full football scholarship as he excelled at the sport in High School. But Duke would injure himself in a surfing accident (breaking his collarbone) and lose his USC scholarship and have to leave school due to a lack of funds. A debt laden Duke would find a part time job in the prop room at Fox Movies and would then be shuffled into bit parts in "B" rated western films. It would be here that he would meet the director that he would forever be associated with and that would be John Ford. From 1926 through 1938 he would toil away in small roles and stunt work, but become well known for his dedicated work ethic. It would be during this period that the stage name "John Wayne" would be "invented" by Director Raoul Walsh. Duke himself was not even present for this decision. But it would be the John Ford movie "Stagecoach" (1939) that would put him on the "A" list of movie stars, and the rest my friends is history. Wayne would appear in more films then any other actor of the sound era and to this day he is the only actor to appear in every edition of the annual Harris Poll of Most Popular Film Actors and is the only actor appearing on the list after their death. He has been in the top ten of this poll for the entire 18 years since this award was created in 1994 (15 years after his passing). I'm not going to rehash all his great western roles, his amazing war movies or his other performances that made him a mega star, you my friends have your favorites. He was and still is according to numerous polls America's true hero. He taught right from wrong and good from evil both on the screen and off. Wayne was approached by Mel Brooks to play the part of the Waco Kid in the film "Blazing Saddles" after reading the script he said "I can't be in this picture it's too dirty....but I will be the first in line to see it" showing the sense of humor Wayne was famous for in his personal life. By the time of his last film "The Shootist" Wayne would still refuse to allow his character to shoot a man in the back as was originally