U.S. General MacArthur Watched John Wayne’s She Wore A Yellow Ribbon Monthly
John Wayne gained fame by portraying characters in two distinct film categories: Westerns and war films. Notably, he played significant roles in contemporary war movies such as “Sands of Iwo Jima,” but his versatility extended to blending these genres, as seen in films set during conflicts in the Old West. For example, Wayne starred in “The Searchers” where he played a Confederate Civil War veteran. Additionally, Wayne directed and acted in a war film titled “The Alamo,” portraying Col. Davy Crockett. Moreover, Wayne was featured in a series of three films collectively known as the “Cavalry Trilogy.
In this set of films, you’ll find “Fort Apache” (1948), “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” (1949), and “Rio Grande” (1950). It so happened that the third film was made as a passion project for John Ford and John Wayne, known collectively as Duke, titled The Quiet Man. However, this trilogy holds a special place in Duke’s cinematic journey. One of these movies was held in such high regard that one of the most esteemed U.S. Army generals in history, General Douglas MacArthur, named it as his personal favorite and claimed to watch it monthly. It was “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” that earned this distinction from the general.
U.S. War General Douglas MacArthur Watched John Wayne’s She Wore A Yellow Ribbon Once A Month
MacArthur Called John Wayne & Ward Bond His Favorite Actors
Scott Allen Nollen mentioned in his book, “Three Bad Men: John Ford, John Wayne, Ward Bond,” that General Douglas MacArthur held a great admiration for John Wayne. This appreciation developed after John Ford, a close collaborator of Wayne’s, directed and distributed the 1951 U.S. propaganda film titled “This is Korea” following his oath of loyalty during the period of fear regarding Communism. MacArthur was taken by the impact of this propaganda movie and made comments expressing his appreciation towards Ford and Wayne.
In April 1951, after being relieved of his command by President Harry Truman, General Douglas MacArthur expressed his fondness for the film “This is Korea” and named John Wayne and Ward Bond as his favorite actors. He even went a step further, admitting that he watched the movie “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” once every month. This endorsement significantly boosted the popularity of John Ford and John Wayne among those who were fans of their military films at the time.
It was additionally a profound personal achievement for John Ford. Six years prior, Ford had directed the war film “They Were Expendable,” starring John Wayne. This film was inspired by Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three during World War II and showcased actor Robert Barrat in the role of General Douglas MacArthur.
What Makes She Wore A Yellow Ribbon A Classic John Wayne Western
The Second Movie In The Cavalry Trilogy Had John Wayne In A Unique Role
I’ve been a big fan of the collaborations between John Wayne and John Ford, and their Cavalry Trilogy is no exception. While Rio Grande is often lauded as the best of the three, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon truly deserves all the accolades it receives. Though it’s part of a trilogy, John Wayne played an entirely different character in Yellow Ribbon compared to Rio Grande – here, he portrayed Captain Brittles on the eve of his retirement. Yet, before he could hang up his boots, there was one last mission that needed addressing. This film can be categorized as a typical genre piece, but the way it unfolds and the depth of character development make it stand out.
His role is to prevent yet another violent conflict from erupting between the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes on the plains. Unlike typical Western movie heroes, Brittles doesn’t desire battle. Instead, he seeks to resolve disputes peacefully without inciting another nationwide war. This approach led to an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and a film that underscores John Wayne’s exceptional acting prowess in classic Westerns, particularly those involving war scenarios.
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2025-05-30 23:07