John Wayne endures because he is so common, because we see ourselves in him. He is a role model for young men and women wish the young men were more like John Wayne. The girls say where is my John Wayne? It’s in a song, she waits for a John Wayne and he never comes. They want someone like him because they want someone who is going to protect them and be true to them. There was a quote he once said, “You shouldn’t go to the movies unless you believe in heroes.”
by Cassandra Fournet
The following is a telephone interview between Brian Downes, the Executive Director of The John Wayne Birthplace, located in Winterset, Iowa, and Texas A&M journalism student, Cassandra Fournet. The questions asked, pertain to the facts and history of the life of American, movie actor, John Wayne.
Cassandra Fournet: How long have you worked at The John Wayne Birthplace?
Brian Downes: Since the spring of 2008.
CF: Why did you start working at The John Wayne Birthplace?
BD: I worked 35 years with the Chicago Tribune Newspaper and met John Wayne. We worked on a few newspaper articles together. He was against mandatory retirement and had an opinion about everything. His centennial celebration came along and I wanted to be a part of it. Then, a year later I was hired.
CF: Why do you like John Wayne?
BD: He always felt comfortable. He was like the rugged characters in my own life. It is like he was one of us. Even his neighbors liked him.
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