The Shootist The Shootist The Shootist is a 1976 American western film directed by Don Siegel and based on Glendon Swarthout's 1975 novel of the same name. It marked John Wayne's final film role. The screenplay was written by Miles Hood Swarthout (the son of the author) and Scott Hale. The supporting cast includes Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, James Stewart, Richard Boone, Hugh O'Brian, Harry Morgan, John Carradine, Sheree North, and Scatman Crothers. In 1977, "The Shootist" received an Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction (Robert F. Boyle, Arthur Jeph Parker), a BAFTA Film Award nomination for Best Actress (Lauren Bacall),
The Shootist shouts a warning, but the bartender blasts Books in the back with both barrels. As he reloads, Gillom picks up Books' gun and shoots the bartender, then throws the gun across the barroom in disgust. Books smiles, nods approvingly, and dies. After covering Books reverently with his jacket, Gillom walks home with his mother. After producer Mike Frankovich announced that he had purchased the movie rights to Glendon Swarthout's novel "The Shootist", Wayne expressed a strong desire to play the title role, reportedly because of similarities to the character Jimmy Ringo in "The Gunfighter", a role he had turned down