Core Response #2

            I thought the whole idea of creation and preservation of the legend that is John Wayne in the article, "John Wayne's America," was highly fascinating—especially in the fact that John Wayne was basically shaped to be "John Wayne" by directors, primarily John Ford.  It was interesting to consider the argument talked about at the beginning of the article surrounding the lasting image of John Wayne in comparison to how Clint Eastwood (someone who found themselves with equally high income and star power) might last after he has passed.  And while I feel that Eastwood will have a highly comparable image once he has died, I understand what the article was implying: That there are very few actors who remain prevalent through time based on their sheer identity (not on their ability to break the status quo or how many criminal offenses they rack up).

            While reading the part about John Ford’s hand in creating the image of John Wayne, it made me think of John Ford as an auteur, specifically in regards to Wayne.  Wayne was a staple of Ford's works.  Considering that Ford created some of the most iconic Westerns ever produced, and that the majority star Wayne, it seems like a you-scratch-my-back-I-scratch-yours kind of situation.  If Ford didn’t shape Wayne into the all-American hero, his films might not be as iconic as they are.  And if Wayne did not take Ford’s guidance, he would not have been as cherished in the American system as he is.   In other words, they relied on each other. 

            I tried hard to think of any present celebrity, or even any that died recently, that might have thing same type of star quality: One that is remembered in such high regards (I mean, he was considered to have been the reason for the Vietnam war for crying out loud).  In thinking of any celebrities that do have such a strong presence (Miley Cyrus comes to mind instantly), I find myself treading water, as these stars tend to create their persona through madness or scandal.  We also live in an age where social media is probably the most prevalent aspect of a star’s persona—an aspect that didn’t exist in Wayne’s time.  So again, he made a name of himself so large through the mere distribution of films, not in any other way--a feat that can not be done in today's age of media and technology.  That’s actually insane when you think about it.  Go Wayne!