[iminime]-The Duke

[batfan08]

LOL


Not like the Duke. By the way, I would be first in line to buy an Iminime "Wild Thing" Ricky Vaughn.

Just out of curiosity, what exactly was so polarizing about The Duke, as he was quite a bit before my time. I know him mostly from his films, but the only semi-controversial things I'm aware of are his comments about Brando's Native American Oscar speech and that he was an alcoholic.

 

[Wake]

Hey guys. Trevor is pretty much booked solid these days. He's got two versions of gus fring, Felina Walt and season 1 Jesse to do. And that's just for Iminime.

 

[batfan08]

Just out of curiosity, where does that place Inspector Callahan? Also, in regards to The Duke this year, this is still pretty early on, in terms of interest, could the possibility be discussed for sometime next year, by any chance? Frankly, after seeing how everything else has turned out, I'd be happy with any one of IMINIME's team members sculpting it, really. My main thing is that I want to see this happen, and, if that means waiting to see if we can get someone like Trevor involved, then, by all means, I'm willing to wait.:lol

 

[karamazov80]

Just out of curiosity, what exactly was so polarizing about The Duke, as he was quite a bit before my time. I know him mostly from his films, but the only semi-controversial things I'm aware of are his comments about Brando's Native American Oscar speech and that he was an alcoholic.

Essentially, some see him as a representation of a tough, swaggering, moralistic, pro-traditional authority United States that they don't agree with in hindsight. It may be a simplification, and in fact, in some of his performances he wasn't portraying that kind of character at all, but that's what he seems to stand for as a cultural symbol. But I could be off base. Maybe it's just that people don't know much about him, or don't care about his acting abilities.

 

[Geronimo]

Just out of curiosity, what exactly was so polarizing about The Duke, as he was quite a bit before my time. I know him mostly from his films, but the only semi-controversial things I'm aware of are his comments about Brando's Native American Oscar speech and that he was an alcoholic.

Hey Batfan,

Actually, The Duke didn't really cause the polarization. He represented an American hero in an America that was changing and turbulent during the 60's. The image of Duke remained pretty consistent in all the years he made films, but America started to change. He was not a womanizer (unlike most of his peers) nor did he have (significant) drinking problems like alcoholism. Did he drink? Yep! The problem was that some wanted change, and Duke was in their way. They didn't even let him visit college campuses without protesting. What a shame, because he stood for freedom. His movies have stood the test of time though, and they can't take that away from him...

 

[batfan08]

Ah, I must've misinterpreted the claims that some of his directors said they liked to shoot all of his material before noon, as he was mean when he drank.:lol

 

[greatlakes6]

I think Wayne gets another strike against him in that he's a polarizing guy. He represents something about film, and culture that some aren't totally comfortable with. For that reason, I think even some who are familiar with his work aren't going to be as interested as they may for other actors, like Clint for instance.

I don't think John Wayne being a polarizing figure would keep any collector from buying a 1/6 of him. I really believe that it is more about what you were brought up with, film wise. Clint is sought after because he is still around and has continued to produce high end work and the younger crowd is more familiar with his work.

 

[Invictus Sol]

Just out of curiosity, what exactly was so polarizing about The Duke, as he was quite a bit before my time. I know him mostly from his films, but the only semi-controversial things I'm aware of are his comments about Brando's Native American Oscar speech and that he was an alcoholic.

For me John Wayne isn't "polarizing" but he's not, in any way, iconic (in the same sense Clint Eastwood is). Honestly, anytime I see a non-American express any interest in Wayne, I'm a bit surprised. He has no charisma, to me, at all.

 

[karamazov80]

I don't think John Wayne being a polarizing figure would keep any collector from buying a 1/6 of him. I really believe that it is more about what you were brought up with, film wise. Clint is sought after because he is still around and has continued to produce high end work and the younger crowd is more familiar with his work.

Well I guess my thought is that the idea behind what Wayne represented is polarizing, which affects what kinds of films folks are into. So, maybe an indirect relationship, but the cynical, edgy, often self-interested Eastwood characters and films are certainly going to appeal to different people than are some of the more traditional westerns of John Wayne.

I totally get what Sol is saying about non Americans, because Wayne represented an American ideal of sorts. I think he started his career pre-WWII, but it's a post-WWII conception as a righteous, morally justified voice of authority in the world. That was essentially the role of the U.S. as the global hegemon for a certain period of time.

 

[batfan08]

For me John Wayne isn't "polarizing" but he's not, in any way, iconic (in the same sense Clint Eastwood is). Honestly, anytime I see a non-American express any interest in Wayne, I'm a bit surprised. He has no charisma, to me, at all.

Are you saying he's not iconic to you, or just flat out "non-iconic?"

 

[Invictus Sol]

Are you saying he's not iconic to you, or just flat out "non-iconic?"

Flat-out un-iconic, unless you're American or long for those pre-WW II days. Clint is my kind of Yankee, but Wayne... meh. Don't like him at all, to be honest, and don't understand his appeal (outside of America).

 

[DEATHASYLUM]

This thread has taken a strange turn. The man is an icon whether you want to accept it or not. He has made some great movies, which have been lost on younger generations. You don't have to be a fan to appreciate his contribution to Hollywood.

 

[Invictus Sol]

Yes, perhaps "un-iconic" is not correct. Certainly John Wayne is an icon, just I question his appeal outside of America and outside of a certain generation of Americans.

 

[yodasan]

Yes, perhaps "un-iconic" is not correct. Certainly John Wayne is an icon, just I question his appeal outside of America and outside of a certain generation of Americans.

This is a much more understandable statement.

 

[DEATHASYLUM]

And that I totally understand. His movies are well known all over the world though and he still has a huge fan base. I think if you didn't grow up watching his films, then you won't get it. For those of us that did, this is a figure we want on the shelf. It has nothing to do with his political views, chain smoking, and boozing. It has to do with childhood memories and wanting a high end iminime Duke figure.

 

[Invictus Sol]

Yeah, for sure, and I hope you guys get a great representation of The Duke. You'll hear no more negativity from me on this score!

 

[DEATHASYLUM]

Thanks man. Now, back on track

 

[batfan08]

I've got to disagree with that. In fact, dare I say it, but I'd actually argue that John Wayne may be more iconic than Eastwood. Before you accuse me of blasphemy and tie me to the stakes (and you'd be well within your rights to do so :lol), hear me out. When you hear "Clint Eastwood," generally, two things come to mind: Dirty Harry and Blondie. With John Wayne, though, I'd say the man was bigger than any of his roles. That's not to say that Clint Eastwood's not iconic, he's probably one of my favorite actors of all time, but, take this hobby, for instance. When I think of who I'd want on my shelf, as far as Eastwood goes, I think "Blondie" and "Dirty Harry." That's not to say that his other films like Josie Wales or Hang 'Em High aren't iconic, but those two just "pop." With Wayne, though, when I think of "who would I want on my shelf?" I don't think "Rooster Cogburn, or "Ethan Edwards, or "John T. Chance." With the latter, I think "I want a 'John Wayne' figure."

I'll be honest with you, I like Clint Eastwood more than John Wayne, but, with that being said, I just don't know how anyone could objectively say that Wayne isn't iconic. Even if he's not as accessible to those who aren't American, being an "American" icon is still being an "icon."

 

[batfan08]

Damn, all that time spent on a reply and the battle's over.:lol It's a great discussion, though.

 

[Erik S]

Can you put me on the list for Ethan Edwards