the quiet man

the year: 1952

the genre: drama


the cast: John Wayne (Sean Thornton); Maureen O'Hara (Mary Kate Danaher); Barry Fitzgerald (Michaleen Oge Flynn); Ward Bond (Father Peter Lonergan); Victor McLaglen (Squire "Red" Will Danner); Mildred Natwick (The Widow Sarah Tillane)


the plot: After fatally knocking out his opponent in the ring, boxer Sean Thornton returns to the place of his birth in Ireland. Seeking a life of quiet and rest, Sean plans to buy his family's old cottage, and keep his boxing identity a secret. En route to Innisfree, Sean catches sight of Mary Kate Danaher and is captivated by her beauty, but finds he has to deal with her brother "Red" Will Danaher, an ill-mannered bully.


don't miss: Michaleen the Matchmaker. And his horse.



did you know: anytime John Wayne lights up a cigarette in this movie he takes exactly two puffs before pitching it away.



extra bonus points: if you know which other film had John Wayne playing a character with the last name of Thornton.



listen for: "He'll regret it till his dying day, if ever he lives that long."



also listen for: "Mind you, I'm fresh as a daisy!" "You look more like a black-eyed Susan to me."



And check out a jim dandy of a fight scene here.

el dorado

the year: 1966

the genre: western


the cast: John Wayne (Cole Thornton); Robert Mitchum (J.P. Harrah); James Caan (Alan Bourdillion Traherne ['Mississippi']); Ed Asner (Bart Jason)


the plot: Hired gunman Cole Thornton turns down a job with Bart Jason since it would mean having to fight his old friend, J.P. Harrah - sheriff of El Dorado. When Cole finds out the lawman is on the bottle and a top gunfighter is heading his way to help Bart, he returns to help the sheriff help a local ranching family, the MacDonalds, fight Bart, who is trying to steal their water rights. Along for the ride is the green gambler Mississippi, handy with a knife and armed with an impressive shotgun.


listen for: "Don't you think I could know a girl?"

don't miss: Johnny Diamond's "kill or cure" for drinking.

watch for: the montage of paintings that depict various scenes of cowboy life in the opening credits. The artist was Olaf Wieghorst, who appears in the film as the Gunsmith, Swede Larsen.



did you know: Oliver, the bartender shot by Sheriff J.P. Harrah is played by Robert Mitchum's brother John.

extra bonus points if you can name the author of the poem "El Dorado" that is quoted by Mississippi.