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John Wayne’s Rio Grande: Set Challenges and On-Set Tragedy Claims
In 1950, cinema icon John Wayne headlined in Rio Grande, the third installment of his renowned Cavalry Trilogy with acclaimed director John Ford, following Fort Apache and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. This classic Western film faced numerous production hurdles, including extreme heat and alleged on-set fatalities.
Grueling Filming Conditions in Utah
The cast and crew of Rio Grande endured arduous conditions on location in Utah. The scorching temperatures presented significant challenges as they constructed sets and stages in the demanding environment. Adding to the discomfort, the actors were required to wear heavy, authentic 19th-century costumes throughout the shoot.
Wayne’s Toupee and O’Hara’s First of Five Films
To portray Lieutenant Colonel Kirby Yorke, John Wayne, affectionately known as Duke, donned a smaller toupee. Rio Grande also marked the first of five cinematic collaborations between Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. O’Hara later recounted a set tragedy from the film’s production in her autobiography.
Maureen O’Hara’s Controversial Account of Stuntmen Deaths
In her memoir, Tis Herself, Maureen O’Hara detailed a grim incident during the Rio Grande filming. The actress, who also famously recalled being spanked by Wayne on the set of McLintock!, claimed that two stunt performers tragically died during the movie’s production.
Unverified Drowning Incident
O’Hara stated that the stuntmen reportedly fell from their horses and drowned in a muddy river during a scene. She asserted that their bodies were never recovered due to poor visibility and the thick mud. However, the veracity of this account has been widely disputed.
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Lack of Evidence and Conflicting Accounts
Michael F Blake’s book, The Cavalry Trilogy, contests O’Hara’s claims, citing the absence of corroborating evidence in newspaper archives or film production records. Blake reportedly consulted Harry Carey Jr. prior to his death, who refuted O’Hara’s narrative. Carey Jr. maintained that while stuntman Chuck Hayward sustained injuries on set, no fatalities occurred during filming.
John Ford’s Prank on Hollywood Executives
Regardless of the alleged tragedy, director John Ford, known for his strong will, reportedly orchestrated a practical joke targeting visiting Hollywood producers during the Rio Grande production.
Ford’s Dislike of Studio Interference
Ford was famously intolerant of studio executive interference while directing. He became particularly incensed when producer Herbert J Yates and Republic executive Rudy Ralston arrived on set, pressuring him to expedite filming despite the morning hour.
The “French Waiter” Prank
According to accounts, Ford responded to their demands with a curt dismissal before devising a prank at dinner. He enlisted actor Alberto Morin to impersonate a French waiter with limited English proficiency. During the meal, Morin feigned clumsiness, “accidentally” dropping dishes and spilling soup on the unsuspecting studio executives, who remained oblivious to the orchestrated jest.