Presented is an iconic 11×14 image from the 1953 film “Hondo”. It shows the central character Hondo Lane (played by John Wayne) and his dog walking with saddle in hand out in the wild, wild west. Most graciously, John Wayne signed the image along the right side in blue ballpoint (“9-10”) with a lengthy notation, “Dean – It was great working with you – Hope it happens again soon – Duke John Wayne 1963”.
The plot of the film showcases Hondo Lane, a despatch rider for the cavalry, encounters Angie Lowe, a woman living alone with her young son in the midst of hostile Apache territory. She presumes she is safe because the Apaches, under their chief Vittorio, have always left them alone. Later Lane has a run-in with Angie’s reprobate husband and is forced to kill him, not knowing who he is. Vittorio captures Lane and to save his life, Angie tells the Apache chief that Lane is her husband, unaware that Lane has killed her real husband.
Captions are provided by our contributors.
As a boy living in Glendale, California John Wayne delivered medicine for his father, the local pharmacist. His best friend was his dog “Duke”, providing his later-life epithet, and his name was Marion Morrison. If you haven’t figured it out by now, we’re referring to John Wayne. While attending USC, he got his start in movies from Tom Mix. Mix hired the “Duke” as a prop man in return for football tickets. Director, John Ford, gave him his first break, with a role in the 1930 movie “Men Without Women.” After innumerable low-budget films he achieved star status with the 1939 film “Stagecoach.”
Authentication: JSA Full Letter
John Wayne Signed Photo
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