McLintock! and a bit more...

July 16th - Just another (hot) summer day in the USA!


In my last post, I promised to write more about John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in the 1963 “Wild West” version of “The Taming of the Shrew,” or, as its known by its official title: McLintock!

First though, I want to thank all of you who commented on my first post! It really means a lot to me that you took the time to respond.

I’ve revealed the answer to the first trivia question, and also posted a new question. Normally, I would like to have a question (with or without prizes) on each blog, unless it doesn’t go over well.
OK, back to McLintock!

Directed by Andrew McLaglen, the son of the 1935 Best Actor winner for The Informer, and outstanding character actor Victor McLaglen, with a screenplay by (who else in those days?) one of John Wayne's favorite Hollywood writers, James Edward Grant (who wrote, or collaborated on 12 of Duke's films - more than anyone else), and all of John Wayne's friends who were informally known (by some in the group) as the "John Wayne Stock Company."

As I detailed in my previous post, John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara seem to have been relegated to inferior status (if not blatantly ignored) by a lot of "critics" who, in their infinite "wisdom," want to put forth B2 (Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall), or Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn as the ultimate "examples" of what a movie couple is.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE watching Spencer Tracy and Katherine (who doesn't, really), but I honestly believe that for sheer sensual chemistry, it's a sin to ignore John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.

John Wayne plays George Washington McLintock (GW to his friends), a very successful rancher/businessman who is trying to run a household with his sidekick Drago, played by the veteran actor/singer Chill Wills, but without his estranged wife, the VERY lovely Katherine Gilhooley McLintock, played brilliantly by Maureen O'Hara.

There are SO many scenes to mention with regard to this film, but right from the first time we see her, the "Queen of Technicolor" simply takes one's breath away with her unparalleled beauty and grace. The next thing you notice is her intensity. Not just because of the role, which was designed to be intense based on the subject manner, of course, but what you could see in her eyes the entire film.

She is, of course, a woman on a mission. That being the "liberation" of their daughter Rebecca (played by Stephanie Powers), from the "not-so-Society-conscious" little hamlet of McLintock, to the upper-crust regions of the "blue-blood" areas in the East. To add to this, GW calls Power's character "Becky," much to Katherine's frustration.

In a number of westerns, the eastern US is portrayed as being far more "cultured and civilized" as the middle, and especially western portions of the country were during the 19th and early 20th centuries. To a point, that was mostly true, but the issue here is not really that at all, but then again, we knew that to begin with, right?!

As noted before, Duke loved to have his co-stars (especially the female variety), look right into his eyes when playing a scene with him. In some of his earlier movies (not naming names just yet!), he used to get really frustrated with "actresses" not looking directly at him. When he made Rio Grande with Maureen in 1950, that all changed. According to Harry Carey, Jr, Duke said that she was the first woman to "really LOOK at him" while playing a scene. As I indicated before, this was their first pairing, and movie goers fell in love with this "couple" at first sight.

In that regard, no matter the film, Maureen ALWAYS delivered. The result is very satisfying. When GW goes over to the hotel to meet her (she wanted to have him sign divorce papers, but not at the house), he says to her: "You women are always raising hell about one thing when it's something else you're really sore about. Don't you think it's about time you told me what put the burr under your saddle about me?"

She thinks he's been unfaithful. Was he, or wasn't he? That's something that is pretty much left to the interpretation of the viewer. I tend to think he might have been caught in some type of indelicate situation (he DID like to drink), but as far as cheating on her...I can't really buy it. Not because I don't think him capable of it, I just think the town's too small for him to be able to really get away with it. Again, that's just MY take.

When she helps him in the great mudslide scene (even using her hatpin to enormous effect), that begins to turn the tide toward reconciliation. She also has to set "Cuthbert" straight at the rodeo (another great scene of devotion). Contrary to what some might think, I honestly believe she's doing more than "keeping up appearances" by moving into "the house." I believe that she's decided to give GW a chance, that maybe she's been a bit "harsh" on him. Of course, circumstances being what they were with Mrs. Warren (the always beautiful Yvonne De Carlo), she felt (erroneously) that she needed to "set some ground rules!"

As usual, it all worked out in the end, and it was another shining example of what magic Wayne and O'Hara could achieve (if given the proper vehicle!). There are, as I said before, many scenes that make the movie great, but I will hold one up for further consideration: The scene where Katherine has discovered GW has gone to town with Drago, after she specifically advised she wished to speak with him. She arrives (after a harrowing buggy ride from Dev Ward, played by JW's son Patrick Wayne)to find him playing chess with Mr. Birnbaum (the always reliable Jack Kruschen), the owner of the general store.

As the night wears on, she goes to sleep, only to be woken up by being tickled on her nose with her own feather....um, from her hat! When she's given coffee, she asks for cream, and Birnbaum asks if canned milk is OK. She agrees, and he begins to reminisce about their first meeting some 18 years ago. Upon hearing this, her attitude noticeably changes, as does GW's. Birnbaum relates that Katherine (by this time agreeing to being called "Katie" again) came in carrying a bundle no bigger than herself (Becky), and "boy, was she (the baby) HUNGRY!"

It seems that GW was away "fighting indians," or something like it, and Katie had come several miles through a couple feet of snow (uphill BOTH ways!) to trade her father's Medal of Honor (Michael Gilhooley, from the late war) for a case of canned milk. As the camera focused on MO, you see the recognition in her face about that moment, and embarrassment at making a fool of herself in front of all their friends (more to come later on that). You also get a GREAT closeup of JW's face, which was FAR more expressive than most gave him credit for. Look really close. There are tears in his eyes. He actually appears to try to suppress choking up a bit.

Both of the great performers were transcending their roles as actors, and were living the characters they were portraying. VERY few people can do this, as witness to the enormous staying power possessed by JW, and the overwhelming affection shown though the years to MO by her legions of fans.

I have more to say, but I'll present it later. I know I promised you more info about B2 (Bogie & Bacall), but I got carried away. I'll cover them in my next post.

Goodbye, and good watching!


OK - The answer to Trivia question #1 - According to Maureen O'Hara, Andrew McLaglen, and Patrick Wayne (to name but a few), the ONLY interior shot filmed IN Ireland, is the one inside the church where Sean (John Wayne) comes walking down the aisle past the seated Kathleen (Maureen O'Hara). BTW - this was a PROTESTANT church that doubled for a Catholic church! They used the fount for the holy water from the Catholic church, and put it in front of this one!!!!

Trivia question #2 - Who was the singer/movie actor/TV star who took the place of Frank Sinatra in the Tommy Dorsey band immediately following "Ol' Blue Eyes" departure? The answer will surprise you, I promise.