Eureka!Gold was discovered for John Wayne the minute Maureen O'Hara, as Kathleen Yorke, alighted from the wagon and gazed at John Wayne in their first film together in 1951, "Rio Grande." It was all uphill after that, with four subsequent films: "The Quiet Man," "Wings of Eagles," "McLintock" and finally "Big Jake." After that first glowing moment on screen together, things would never again be quite the same. The dynamic chemistry of Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne was born and their adoring fans took them to their hearts.On the screen Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne brought hours of entertainment and joy to their audience. In her film roles with Duke, Maureen's combination of femininity and strong independence made many women realize that they too could stand up to their man, and command equality and respect for their ideas and dreams. Likewise, men began to appreciate a woman with spunk and determination. As husband and wife on the screen Maureen and Duke fashioned a whole new concept of what couples could be. They could be themselves and still love and respect one another. In the film "Red Pony" (although not with Duke Wayne), Maureen had a beautiful line telling her son, Jody, why she loved his father, despite his faults: "I respect your father. I respect him for what he was, what he is, and for what he is going to be." This was the attitude that Duke and Maureen seemed to exchange when playing husband and wife on the big screen. Despite all of the problems they still had this moral fiber and intelligence, not only to respect one another, but to hold sacred the love that would always exist, no matter what.
The passion for one another was always there, even when saying things in the heat of argument that perhaps they didn't really mean.In each of their five films together they played man and wife, usually in conflict, but with reasonably happy endings. Although their characters were penned by the rich imagination of script writers, Maureen and Duke could bring them to life on the screen and enhance them to larger than life eloquence and realism. They would take those characters and make them even more energetic, passionate and believable.
The picture above is from the "Allstar Tribute to John Wayne" a 1976 TV party fund raiser by Variety Clubs International. Maureen came to Hollywood from St. Croix, Virgin Islands to totally surprise Duke. Serenading Duke with the appropriate song "I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face," Maureen managed to captivate the entire audience. In those few moments, every movie they ever made and their enduring friendship came together again; there wasn't a dry eye in the house, including Duke. In my opinion, no other couple in film history, could say so much by a simple steady gaze than Maureen and Duke. Wisely, their scripts seemed to be written to allow them the freedom for some major rebellion and intensity. This duo, however, was definitely not of fairy tale proportions. John Wayne was no Prince Charming whispering sweet nothings in his true love's ear while she swooned at his feet. In fact Duke and Maureen behaved more like a real-life couple in any given situation of conflict, with words and temper displayed, but not to a point where they ever stopped loving one another.
My observation is that "AO" (After O'Hara) Duke's other leading ladies( fine and beautiful actresses that they were) just couldn't give Wayne that sexuality that was projected with Maureen. She wasn't just a 'tough act to follow' she was an "impossible act to follow." I think that is why Maureen's very brief appearance in "Big Jake" left fans rather deflated. They wanted to to see more of her...of them... together. It had been 9 years since they had appeared together on the screen. However, when Big Jake said "Let's go home" at the end of the film to his sons and grandson, I think we all pictured Martha McCandles waiting in front of the ranch house for her men with open arms.
In real life, as most of you know, Duke and Maureen were dear friends and enjoyed a brother-sister type relationship. Her real love was, of course, her beloved late husband Charles Blair, but John Wayne remains one of the dearest men in her life.
Together, John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara projected a new dimension of strength, respect and love, that was punctuated with a fantastic sensuality. Their kind of chemistry provided a fantasy for their audiences that will live on for many generations to come in their videos and films.
SO IF YOU ARE IN THE MOOD FOR A LIVELY ROMANTIC FILM - PUT ON A VIDEO STARRING "THE DUKE AND HIS REDHEAD!"...and sit back knowing the best is yet to come.
Duke & Maureen Features Maureen & Duke Take another look at the on screen chemistry
of Maureen and Duke
article from the 1950's by Maureen on one of her favorite subjects - Duke
Wayne)
Another later article/ interview with Maureen about Duke - probably early
1970's
Monday, May 21, 1979 - John Wayne Gold Medal
"......to talk about Duke, I talk from my heart. I could go on forever and ever."(click above to skip short essay below)
The Films of Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne Duke Wayne was the target for this "tomato toss"
"Rio Grande"
1950
"The Quiet Man"
1951
"Wings of Eagles"
1957
"McLintock"
1963(animation skills courtesy of Jerry Hirsch)
"Big Jake"
1972
Links to John Wayne Websites
(click on banner to visit Jason's comprehensive site on Duke Wayne)
A Tribute
L. Wood's John Wayne 
Leroy has assembled numerous John Wayne Links on this site
Newt's John Wayne Site
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