When Men Were Men (post #1)

John Wayne is undeniably an American icon. His popularity, even long after his reign of stardom, is unparalleled by other actors. However, as Garry Wills points out, he is out of place as a cult icon that not only reinforces the establishment, but serves as its poster-child. Wayne became a symbol of American policy in Vietnam, a war hero who never entered the war, and a remnant of a bygone time, “when men were men.” His star power stemmed from his embodiment of traditional American mythologies of manifest destiny, self-reliance, and masculine power. Though it may seem that he finds his counterpart in the hyperfemininity of Marilyn Monroe, she differs from Wayne significantly in the public’s knowledge of her own personal faults and scandals. Wayne himself remains almost completely inextricable from his on-screen persona. It is this all-encompassing character that captivates America.

Knowing what the source of John Wayne’s star power is, it is still difficult to pinpoint who it is Wayne appeals to. Through Willis’ account, we know that various political figures, including Nixon idolized everything from Wayne’s masculine confidence and staunch defense of justice, to his famous walk. The question is that if most cult idols, including those as successful as Madonna and Michael Jackson, utilized youth counterculture as a way to gain popularity, how did John Wayne gain his notoriety? Velvet Goldmine illustrated the way young people use stars to form their own sense of identity and express rebellion in an acceptable way. It is difficult to come up with any modern stars that are able to capture the attention of young people by reinforcing rather than challenging traditional values, however, in recent times, stars like Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson have used virginity as a way to gain the support of a more conservative crowd, though we know that in both cases, this gimmick and the popularity that it triggered, did not last.

In a time when stars like Lady GaGa rule the airwaves and red carpets with shamelessly eye-catching music videos and clothing, I wonder if an actor in the style of John Wayne could still make such an impact. Perhaps this brand of conservatism is just waiting to make its reappearance. Like all genres and styles, this character type is likely to be re-circulated when the time is right. Though I agree with Willis’ recognition of the studios and directors being far more responsible for the fame of John Wayne than he was himself, I argue that a third element, timing, is the most important variable in the equation of stardom. Wayne was there when the country needed regain a sense of confidence in the face of crippling failure, and likely there will always be some embodiment of American values when ours begin to decay.

1) To what extent are stars simply products of studios? Could John Wayne’s role have been filled by another man?

2) To what segment of the population do you think John Wayne appealed to most?

3) In what ways does John Wayne encapsulate traditional American mythologies? How did he manage to maintain this appearance both on and off screen?