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
Oz (1976 film) investment. The money took six months to raise. Joy Dunstan was a singer and theatre actress who was cast after Lofven saw her singing at the Flying Trapeze cafe. It was her first movie. The film was shot in early 1976 over a five-week period near Melbourne. The film was a commercial disappointment on release despite receiving some excellent reviews. It may have been hurt by the fact the soundtrack was not ready before the film came out in July. However the movie was released in the US and has become a cult movie. Wilson, Gary Young and Wayne Burt