John Wayne once revealed why an actor’s hate for a director turned to love at the 1975 Academy Awards
John Wayne gave a speech at the 1975 Academy Awards in which he detailed what makes an actor’s feelings for a director go from hate to love. His speech certainly tries to relate to the actors in the room, but it’s also a great testament to the power of a talented director. Wayne gave an impressive speech at the 1975 Oscars in honor of Howard Hawks’ honorary award.
Shirley MacLaine provides a thoughtful but funny introduction to John Wayne
Shirley MacLaine took the stage at the 1975 Oscars to introduce Wayne to the stage as shown in the Oscar’s YouTube Channel. It’s a wonderful introduction for the actor, but it also reflects the ever-evolving influence actors have on audiences around the world.
“Movie stars have been influential babysitters ever since parents started dropping their kids off at the Saturday matinee while shopping,” MacLaine said. “On the way home, all the little boys wanted to be Douglas Fairbanks, all the little girls wanted to be Mary Pickford. Or Tom Mix and Lillian Gish.”
MacLaine continued, “After the movies started talking, every little boy wanted to be Gary Cooper and every girl wanted to be Clara Bow. Or William Powell and Myrna Loy. A few years later the boys wanted to be Clark Gable and the girls wanted to be Jean Harlow. Back then the boys wanted to be John Wayne and the girls wanted to be Betty Grable. Then the boys wanted to be John Wayne and the girls wanted to be Marilyn Monroe.”
The actor concluded: “Then the boys wanted to be John Wayne and the girls, Grace Kelly. Eventually things changed a bit. The boys still want to be John Wayne, but the girls also want to be John Wayne.”
MacLaine ended the introduction with a laugh and got a lot of laughter from the crowd.
John Wayne revealed why an actor’s hate for a director turns to love in an honorary speech to Howard Hawks
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Wayne took the stage at the 1975 Oscars to deliver his speech. He has worked with Hawks on a number of films, making him an excellent choice to talk about the director before bringing him on stage.
“I’m here to give an honorary award to a film director,” Wayne said. “Actors hate directors. They hate them because when actors have given their all, directors want more. Boy do they hate that.”
Wayne continued, “But when they see themselves up there scratching the old black and white, I go back so far, our glorious Technicolor at 20 feet, better than they ever thought possible doing things they.” never thought you could do it, you don’t hate the director anymore. They love it. That’s how I feel about this man, Howard Hawks.”
Wayne realized at the 1975 Academy Awards that there was a special bond between the two men. He also spoke about some of the filmmaker’s biggest titles and how he earned this honorable mention.
“If you think there’s anything between us, then there is,” Wayne said. “Four images: red river, Rio Bravo, Hatariand Eldorado. I don’t think they’re the only reason the Academy Board of Governors gave him an honorary award.”
Wayne rattled off a collection of Hawks films including The Dawn Patrol, scarface, raise baby, Sergeant York, The crowd roars, viva villa!, His girl Friday, To have and not to have, I was a male war brideand The Big Sleep.
Wayne concluded, “Now he’s made a lot of actors jump up, so it’s about time we got him to do the same. Tonight he’s not the director – it’s me. Hawks, we’re ready to go! Get your meager Whatchamacallit out of here!”
The actor made his last appearance at the 1979 Oscars
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Wayne made several appearances at the Academy Awards, although he wasn’t nominated himself. He enjoyed the opportunity to see his industry peers, celebrate the year’s films and thank the cinema audiences who make the industry possible. However, Wayne had the extraordinary opportunity of presenting a honor to a friend at the 1975 Oscars.
The western actor received two awards through nominations, but his own big win came at the 1970 Oscars. Wayne eventually picked up the Best Actor Oscar for his career-defining performance in True grit. His last public appearance, however, was at the 1979 Oscars, where he delivered another powerful speech.
TIED TOGETHER: “Red River”: John Wayne accused Montgomery Clift of not receiving an Oscar nomination
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