John Wayne Highlands, fierce fighters against communism, bestowed on Wayne a brass bracelet that he wore in the film and all subsequent films. Wayne finally won a Best Actor Oscar for "True Grit" (1969), two decades after his only other nomination. Wayne took on the role of the eponymous detective in the crime drama "McQ" (1974). His last film was "The Shootist" (1976), whose main character, J. B. Books, was dying of cancer—which Wayne himself succumbed to three years later. "The Shootist" (1976) contains numerous plot similarities to "The Gunfighter" of nearly thirty years before, a role which Wayne had wanted but
The Last Command (1955 film) son as a vehicle for the studio's biggest star, John Wayne. In 1950 it was announced Wayne would produce, direct and star in the film.. The project was going to be filmed after Wayne did "The Quiet Man" for Republic; Paul Fix and James Edward Grant had reworked the script. "I've always wanted to direct ever since I came into pictures," said Wayne, who had just begun producing with "The Bullfighter and the Lady". He planned to make the film in Tuacana, Mexico. Robert Clarke was announced for a key role. However Republic Pictures head Herbert Yates and Wayne clashed.