The Shootist Jack Pulford was shot in the back by Books, and Books, in turn, was shot by Gillom; Wayne maintained that over his entire film career, he had never shot an adversary in the back, and would not do so now. He also objected to his character being shot by Gillom, and suggested that the bartender do it, because "no one could ever take John Wayne in a fair fight". Wayne was also responsible for many casting decisions. Several friends and past co-stars, including Bacall, Stewart, Boone, and Carradine, were cast at his request. Stewart had not worked in films for
El Dorado (1966 film) and was actually filmed before "The War Wagon", but its release was delayed so that Paramount's "Nevada Smith" with Steve McQueen would not have to compete with a John Wayne film at the box office. "El Dorado" finally reached the theatres in June 1967, a month after "The War Wagon" had opened. Film footage from "El Dorado" was later incorporated into the opening montage of Wayne's final film, "The Shootist", to illustrate the backstory of Wayne's character. Director Don Siegel used no scenes from any film shot before 1948 in "The Shootist"s frontispiece even though Wayne's career as a leading