John Wayne had remade 1959’s Rio Bravo, a movie about a mayor who defends his office from outlaws, in 1966’s El Dorado. However, Howard Hawks, who directed both films, wanted to make the film for the third time in 1970’s Rio Lobo. When the director first approached Duke about the idea, the Hollywood star replied, “Can I play the drunk this time?”
Rio Lobo — which was set to be shot in Durango, Mexico for $5 million — was shot for an additional $1 million in Old Tucson, Arizona, since 1971. Lawman was already shooting south of the border. Hawks wanted El Dorado star Robert Mitcham to reprise his drunken sheriff, but he retired it. However, he was visiting the set because his son, Christopher, had a role the director had to fight the studio to get it listed. At this point in his career, the 62-year-old Wayne was in poor health having had a cancerous lung removed just a few years earlier. The star, who was 13 years older than Jack Elam’s old man character, struggled to get on and off his horse and was still recovering from torn ligaments in his shoulder when he shot The Undefeated in 1969.
Wayne’s fight scene with Victor French had to be shot very carefully, as most of the footage that was used was with his two wives. A lot of junk took place off camera, with only the sounds of scuffling being heard. Rio Lobo co-star Jennifer O’Neil recalled how Duke struggled to carry her up the stairs. Interviewed in the video below, she says, “He became completely drained, he really suffered through it.” However, despite his struggles, the 21-year-old recalled that Wayne was “the nicest guy in the world,” who went out of his way to help young actors trying to do better. However, she couldn’t say the same for Director Hawks.
O’Neal said Hooks’ punch hurt her after the director had intentionally hit her. The actress also claimed that he said he would make her a star if she signed up for three films, though Rio Lobo would be his last. Since she refused, the Director’s feelings towards her have changed and he has treated her badly. She even claimed Hawks said he would destroy her career.
During filming, the 21-year-old felt like the director’s mental faculties weren’t fully working, which could explain some of his bad behavior. O’Neal shot one scene wearing a fake mustache as a joke, which Hawks missed completely even after the scream cut. Speaking of dressing up as a gag, that’s exactly what the cast and crew did to celebrate Wayne’s Oscar win.
During a break from filming Rio Lobo, Wayne returned to Hollywood to pick up his first and only Best Actor Oscar after starring as Rooster Cogburn in 1969’s True Grit.
According to John Wayne of Randy Roberts: American: “[Duke] He walked out, laughing uproariously at first, then settling into a teary-eyed smile. Everyone, including the horses, was wearing an eyepatch, and the crowd was clapping and applauding congratulations to the best actor in the world.”
There’s no doubt that this was a special moment for the star who, aside from his health issues, lost his mother during filming and then his brother, Robert E. Morrison, just a month after the movie ended.
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