ALL-STAR TRIBUTE TO JOHN WAYNE (TV)
Summary
This televised charity special, hosted by Frank Sinatra on Soundstage 2 at Burbank Studios, celebrates the long career of American actor John Wayne. Sinatra opens the program as Wayne makes a dramatic entrance, and Sinatra introduces Wayne's family members in the audience. Ron Howard, Wayne's co-star in "The Shootist" (1976), takes the stage and discusses Wayne's prolific career, and he then introduces the University of Southern California Chamber Singers, who musically list 67 of Wayne's film titles in an impressive one minute and fifty-three seconds. Angie Dickinson, Wayne's co-star in "Rio Bravo" (1959), then jokes about his habit of telling "whoppers" and reveals the origins of his famous nickname, "Duke," replacing his infamous given name, Marion. Lee Marvin, who appeared with Wayne in "Donovan's Reef" (1963) and "The Comancheros" (1961), then appears in a scene with comedian John Byner, who does a remarkable impression of Wayne as the two huddle around a campfire.
Bob Hope takes the stage with a couple of wisecracks about Wayne's distinctive walk and his many children and then briefly performs "Thanks for the Memories." Sinatra introduces actress Totie Fields, followed by Charles Bronson, who previews a short film clip of Wayne's attendance at a ship-christening ceremony and then discusses the true meaning of the word "macho," so often used to describe Wayne's many characters and real-life demeanor. Glen Campbell sings the title song from "True Grit" (1969), for which Wayne won his first Academy Award. Dan Rowan and Dick Martin take the stage and, after a few jokes at Wayne's expense, present him with a large photograph of his famous bunny-suited 1969 appearance on "Laugh-In."
Sinatra introduces Wayne's five-time co-star Maureen O'Hara, who notes that "I've Grown Accustomed to His Face." Claire Trevor, Wayne's co-star in "Stagecoach" (1939), unveils a bronze sculpture of Wayne, created by artist George Montgomery, and then welcomes Jimmy Stewart and Sammy Davis Jr., who perform the poem "Code of the Cow Country." Monty Hall, president of Variety Clubs International, takes the stage to discuss the charitable efforts afforded by the evening's festivities, including a new children's hospital wing founded in Wayne's name, and Sinatra performs "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." Finally, Henry Winkler takes the stage with a few comments about Wayne's profound effect on younger actors, and Wayne offers some words of gratitude to close the evening. Includes commercials for Sears.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: November 30, 1999 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:51:49
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:45288
- GENRE: Music/Variety
- SUBJECT HEADING: Music/Variety; Specials; Tributes; Actors
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1976
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Sears stores
CREDITS
- Paul W. Keyes … Producer, Writer
- Marc London … Co-Producer, Writer
- Joe Kay … Associate Producer
- Dick McDonough … Director
- Nelson Riddle … Conductor
- Frank Sinatra … Host, Performer
- John Wayne … Honoree
- University of Southern California Chamber Singers, The … Guest, Performer
- Lee Marvin … Guest, Performer
- John Byner … Guest, Performer
- Glen Campbell … Guest, Performer
- Maureen O'Hara … Guest, Performer
- James Stewart (see also: Jimmy Stewart) … Guest, Performer
- Sammy Davis Jr. … Guest, Performer
- Ron Howard … Guest
- Angie Dickinson … Guest
- Bob Hope … Guest
- Totie Fields … Guest
- Charles Bronson … Guest
- Dan Rowan … Guest
- Dick Martin … Guest
- Claire Trevor … Guest
- George Montgomery … Guest
- Monty Hall … Guest
- Henry Winkler … Guest