American Icons: "Why I love" John Wayne

(Guitar music like “American Idiot” plays as James Faraci and Paulo Fonseca on guitars, Andrew Beach on Bass Guitar, and Nick Lopez on the Drums and the set is like the set of “American Idiot” except the colors are Patriotically Red, White, and Blue) 

James Faraci (Singing):
All year we’re cheering American Icons! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Twelve months of heroes of Cinema! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) From John Wayne to Rocky Balboa (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Oh, hell yeah, we’re talking about them all! (The tune continues) [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues.) We’re going to show off the hard work! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Even if it makes me look like a real jerk. (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Now everyone get ready to celebrate with us! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) And make sure you have a dose of common sense. (The tune continues) [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues with a guitar solo.) All year we’re cheering American Icons!  Twelve months of heroes of Cinema! Information about them will be a lot, you’re going to know whether you like or not [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues and concludes and the words “Americans Icons” are put up in different styles of text. The scene cuts to James as he tries to contact Todd In The Shadows. Cut to Todd In The Shadows) 

Todd In The Shadows:
Hello? (Cut to James) 

TLOTA:
Hey Todd, I could use some help. (Cut to Todd In The Shadows.) 

Todd In The Shadows:
Let me guess, you want to review a musical featuring John Wayne. Or if I know where one is? And before you ask, YES, I am aware of your three-month John Wayne bullshit and twelve months of propaganda about “Real Icons” of “American Cinema,” and all that bullshit. (Cut to James) 

TLOTA:
What I’m reviewing right now is an album BY John Wayne. Maybe you and I could team up? (Cut to Todd In The Shadows) 

Todd In The Shadows:
Give me a moment to listen through, in the meantime, do some research, and we’ll meet back in an hour or two from now. (Cut to James) 

TLOTA:
Okay. (Cut to a black screen and the words “Two Hours Later,” Cut to James as he contacts Todd In The Shadows. Cut to Todd In The Shadows laughing uproariously, even banging on his keyboard and falling out of frame. Cut to James) 

TLOTA:
Okay, so I am doing this alone. (Cut to clips and stills of John Wayne as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
In 1973, John Wayne recorded an album with him speaking poems written by John Mitchum, the brother of legendary actor Robert Mitchum. But does it deserve to be laughed at by EVERYONE who thinks that it’s no different than a William Shatner album? Or is it just something that must be heard to be understood? (Cut to James physically) 

TLOTA:
So let’s listen to the only album by John Wayne: “America, Why I Love Her.” (Cut to clips and stills of John Wayne as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
The year is 1970, and John Wayne is working on the movie “Chisum” and on a break with Forrest Tucker, when he overheard John Mitchum performing one of his poems. Forrest Tucker asked Mitchum to perform the poem to John Wayne and halfway through the performance John Wayne was in tears from what he heard, according to reports John Wayne told Mitchum that he was going to record an album of Mitchum's poetry. Billy Liebert sat behind the mixing board with an orchestra and a chorus backing John. In interviews for the album, Wayne explained that he liked the material and that he thinks and writes like he wishes he could, which could foster rapport among everyone in this country. (Cut to James Physically) 

TLOTA:
And yeah, for those who are my nieces and great nieces’ generation, who don’t think in any way about John Wayne, that would sound like a good thing for us to come together instead of acting like we do now. When it was released, it was a success, reaching the Billboard Charts for 16 weeks, peaking at 66 on the pop charts and 13 on the country charts. The critical response was mixed and leaning towards positive, with some having this reaction. (Cut to Todd In The Shadows as he continues to laugh out of control. Cut to James.)  But it earned John a Grammy Nomination for best spoken word album. (Cut to clips and stills of John Wayne as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
Let’s start with the title track, "Why I Love Her.” (Cut to clips of John Wayne as audio of “Why I Love Her.” plays over the clips of John Wayne. Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA:
There are patriotic tones in the word, but it wasn’t like someone who I will not mention, and the fact that he talked about the great sights that I think we take for granted, and for those wondering what the chorus is singing, it’s called “America The Beautiful” or at least the chorus of the song.  The next track is called "The Hyphen,” and it talks about what the hyphen can mean both positively and negatively (Cut to clips of John Wayne as audio of “The Hyphen" as clips of John Wayne play. Cut to James physically.) This really does have thought-provoking tones about what the hyphen can mean both positively and negatively, and keep in mind that we were in the depths of the tail end of the Cold War, we had just gotten demoralized with Vietnam, and the glory days of the 1950s were decades behind us. The hyphen itself should be a bridge to connect us. Next up is “Mis Raices Estan Aqui (My Roots Are Buried Here).” (Cut to clips of John Wayne as audio of “Mis Raices Estan Aqui (My Roots Are Buried Here)” plays over clips of John Wayne.) It is a story about the last of a family in Mexico deciding to stay because it’s a part of his history and how he has lived in peace and how it is his heritage that he has protected, and that is something to be proud of, to live in peace and ready to stand up to defend it if it had to happen. If only we could be like that now. Next up, aside from the title track, is the other song John Wayne loved the most on the album, “The People.” While it mentions names like Louis Armstrong, Marion Anderson, Jack Dempsey, Fred Astaire, Sandy Koufax, Billy Graham, Jesse Owens, Merle Haggard, Bing Crosby, Charles Lindbergh, Willie Mays, Jonas Salk, Kate Smith, Irving Berlin, and Johnny Cash. (Cut to clips of John Wayne as audio of “The People” plays over the clips. Cut to James physically.) Before we continue, let me see if Todd In The Shadows is even okay at this point. (Static cuts to Nash Bozard.) 

Nash Bozard of “Radio Dead Air” and “WTFIWWY”:
Hello? (Cut to James) 

TLOTA:
Nash Bozard of WTFIWWY/Radio Dead Air? Where’s Todd In The Shadows? (Cut to Nash) 

Nash Bozard of “Radio Dead Air” and “WTFIWWY”:
Yeah, I piggybacked off his frequency when I decided to check on Todd when I saw him just laugh uncontrollably. Currently, he’s in a hospital for extreme dehydration and lack of oxygen, and loss of bowel function. Did you have something to do with it? (Cut to James) 

TLOTA:
All I did was ask if he would like to crossover with me. (Cut to Nash) 

Nash Bozard of “Radio Dead Air” and “WTFIWWY”:
What was the subject of the crossover? (Cut to James) 

TLOTA:
It’s an album called “America, Why I Love Her” by John Wayne. (Cut to Nash) 

Nash Bozard of “Radio Dead Air” and “WTFIWWY”:
John Wayne, the old racist and sexist cowboy actor, made an album called “America, Why I Love Her.” Well, I can see why Todd is currently in the hospital. Because that must be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my LIFE! (Nash begins to laugh uncontrollably and falls out of his chair! Cut to John Wayne clips as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
We’re halfway through as we head into “An American Boy Grows Up,” like “Mis Raices Estan Aqui (My Roots Are Buried Here)” is a story-based track. (Cut to clips of John Wayne as audio of “An American Boy Grows Up” plays over the clips. Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA:
You can tell this is a story about a father talking about his boy, who grew up to become a man who tried to be the best in both scholastics and athletics, and became a soldier who avoided the draft by enlisting and promising to return. This is a stark contrast to a song like “Billy Don’t Be A Hero,” which tells of a young man volunteering to join the Armed Forces on a mission. While serving, Poor Billy loses his life, and his family is heartbroken, and his fiancée just forgets he exists. Come to think about it, “America, Why I Love Her” came out just about the same time the song “Billy, Don’t Be A Hero” came out. Maybe it was a pre-emptive strike against “Billy, Don’t Be A Hero.” (Cut to John Wayne clips as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
Next up is “Face The Flag,” a song that has John play a father, possibly a grandfather, telling the current generation to face the flag and see that our history is held together by the thirteen stripes of red and white and the fifty stars on a blue patch. (Cut to clips of John Wayne as audio of “Face The Flag” plays over the clips. Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA:
It’s the most patriotic track on the album so far; it also shows that John understands what it was like at that time. John also understands that we need to understand the flag's history, its meaning, and what could happen if we forget what it means. (Cut to John Wayne clips as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
The next track on the album is called "The Good Things.” This track basically predicted what our news is now and reminds us of the good news that we don’t hear in the news. (Cut to clips of John Wayne as audio of “The Good Things" plays over the clips. Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA:
It’s a reminder that good things do happen, and life can move forward even when it looks like we’re all about to be taken down. Before I continue, let me check in on Nash and Todd, if they’re okay. (Static cuts to Rowdy.) 

Rowdy:
Hey James, I just got a contact from Nash and Todd In The Shadows. They just wanted to let you know it took everything I knew about you to keep you in their good graces. Can I ask why that is? (Cut to James) 

TLOTA:
I needed a partner to review an album. (Cut to Rowdy) 

Rowdy:
What’s it called? (Cut to James) 

TLOTA:
It’s called “America, Why I Love Her” by John Wayne. (Cut to Rowdy laughing outrageously. Cut to clips of John Wayne as James does a voiceover after sighing.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
Next up on the album is “The Pledge Of Allegiance”. It, of course, has the Pledge of Allegiance, which I think the current generation has forgotten to have in school. If not, let me know in the comments section. It also has John’s understanding as to what every part of that means, and I understand what it means to be American and what it should mean for us. (Cut to clips of John Wayne as “The Pledge Of Allegiance” plays over the clips. Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA:
It does help you understand what the Pledge Of Allegiance means and what it should mean to us. (Cut to clips of John Wayne as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
We’re coming up on the homestretch as we continue this look with the track “Why are you marching, son?” It, of course, is about a soldier and what it means to serve the country with honor. And while yes, it never talks about the mentally unstable and doesn’t go into that. It didn’t need to. I understand that going through things like Vietnam, Desert Storm, and what happened in the Middle East, and the veterans from all these wars can cause people to have issues. I’m sure even John Wayne understood it, while yes he did apply to the Naval Academy when he was a kid and was rejected because of Poor grades, he wanted to enlist when World War II happened but was rejected because of his age and the fact he had a family, He asked John Ford to help him get into the army but Republic Studios threatened John with a costly Law Suit. He almost became the first celebrity member of what would be the C.I.A.! But because he couldn’t serve during that time, he thought he couldn’t understand what it was like. Which strengthened his patriotism, just to make up for his inability to serve. (Cut to clips of John Wayne as “Why are you marching, son?” plays over the clips. Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA:
One last track and maybe, just maybe, I can try to turn the laughs into open ears. (Cut to clips of John Wayne as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
The album ends with a piece called "Taps,” which does include that track, and it sets a solid end to what this album is about. It’s also the darkest piece on the album. It does tell what the cost of our freedom is and has been. It tells that the sacrifices of those who gave us the freedom this generation seems to squander, all because we follow the wrong path, and it also tells the story behind the song “TAPS.” (Cut to John Wayne as “TAPS” plays over the clips. Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA:
It ends the album with a patriotic yet melancholy feeling. As if for all John was trying to tell us, he tried to tell us this history, and now he must wonder if we heard what was said to us. (Cut to clips of John Wayne as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
So that was “America, Why I Love Her.” John Wayne’s first and only album, and despite the derision, I enjoyed this album. Its intent is not lost for those who feel patriotic. But for those who may have lost that spirit to find it again. It allows for conversation on what it means to be patriotic and American. If you are interested, it’s available on iTunes, Amazon Music, and other digital music selling sites, and free on YouTube Music. Give it a listen and try to keep an open mind for at least half of the way through the album. (Cut to James physically) 

TLOTA:
And while I may have been dealing with the derision from some of my associates during this review. (Static cuts to Todd In The Shadows.) 

Todd In The Shadows:
Uh, James, I just wanted to apologize for laughing. It was rude. I know you were trying in earnest to at least give me a chance to listen and review this album with you, and I wanted to apologize again. (Cut to Nash Bozard from WTFIWWY/ Radio Dead Air) 

Nash Bozard of “Radio Dead Air” and “WTFIWWY”:
Yeah, I need to apologize as well. I understand what it is you were trying to do, but that doesn’t mean I agree with your thoughts on John Wayne and this album.  (Cut to Rowdy) 

Rowdy:
And I need to apologize for laughing at you. I understand that, being 2026, this is the 250th anniversary of this country, and that someone should celebrate the things that once made it great. And someone out there calling themselves “The Last Of The Americans” needs to celebrate this country for all the good and bad. (Cut to James.) 

TLOTA:
I accept your apologies. Next up, what happens when John Wayne tries to star, produce, and direct a movie, come back March 6th on the 190th anniversary of the event that the movie is about! (Cut to Rowdy as he puts on a card dealer’s hat) 

Rowdy:
Okay everyone, it’s betting time, How long will it take for James to see if John Wayne is going to make a Western version of “The Room.”  The under is before the halfway point of the review, and the over is at the point where he gives his thoughts on the movie! (Cut to various internet reviewers and James’s team who are saying how much it will be for the under and over. Cut to James physically as the audio is that of everyone betting the over or under.) 

TLOTA:
See everyone on March 6th, I’m James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and you know the rest!  

American Icons: John Wayne: A "Quiet" Romantic "Man

(Guitar music like “American Idiot” plays as James Faraci and Paulo Fonseca on guitars, Andrew Beach on Bass Guitar, and Nick Lopez on the Drums and the set is like the set of “American Idiot” except the colors are Patriotically Red, White, and Blue) 

James Faraci (Singing):
All year we’re cheering American Icons! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Twelve months of heroes of Cinema! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) From John Wayne to Rocky Balboa (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Oh, hell yeah, we’re talking about them all! (The tune continues) [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues.) We’re going to show off the hard work! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Even if it makes me look like a real jerk. (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Now everyone get ready to celebrate with us! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) And make sure you have a dose of common sense. (The tune continues) [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues with a guitar solo.) All year we’re cheering American Icons!  Twelve months of heroes of Cinema! Information about them will be a lot, you’re going to know whether you like or not [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play, and the music continues and concludes, and the words “American Icons” are put up in different styles of text. The scene cuts to James in his office.) 

TLOTA: 
I’m James Faraci The Last Of The Americans, the views that I’m about to express are that of my own and some of yours. Let it never be said that John Wayne didn’t have his romantic side (Cut to the title card of “The Quiet Man” then to clips of the movie as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
Considered one of the greatest love stories of the cinema, “The Quiet Man” sees another collaboration with John Ford and John Wayne, but it also began one of the longest-running partnerships between John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. But does the romance still hold up and does this show John in a different light? 

TLOTA:
And with this coming out just in time for Valentine’s Day, we’ll see if The Duke can be romantically open with “The Quiet Man”! (Cut to "The Quiet Man” as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
The movie opens in a train station in Ireland as we’re introduced to Sean “Trooper Thorn” Thornton, played by John Wayne, a retired boxer who has decided to go back home to Innisfree, Ireland, to settle down and buy his family’s farm. When he arrives, the locals try to give him the best directions they can. (Cut to the clip of the locals trying to give him directions. Cut to James.) 

TLOTA:
He’s going to be stuck there for a while. (Cut to “The Quiet Man” as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
He grabs a cart driven by Michaeleen Flynn, played by Barry Fitzgerald, to Innisfree and makes his way to the town. Eyeing the cottage in his homeland, Sean asks who is in his home and is told that the Widow Tillane, played by Mildred Natwick, has it. The ride continues as he meets with Father Lonergan, played by Ward Bond. Making it to the fields, he meets with Mary Kate Danaher, played by the only woman to be a long-time leading lady with the Duke, Maureen O’Hara. (Cut to James physically) 

TLOTA:
That’s right, John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara worked together for so long that people couldn’t think of one without the other when they worked together. Not too shabby. (Cut to "The Quiet Man” as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
Sean makes it to town, and the locals are rather inquisitive. Sean makes it to church services as he settles in and doesn’t know what it is like now in the town where he was born nowadays. Soon enough, Sean and The Widow Tillane talk about the land with Squire “Red” Will Danaher, played by Victor McLaglen, and The Widow Tillane gives the land to Sean for a Thousand Pounds. Surprised at this, Squire Will Danaher forbids Mary Kate from even considering marrying Sean, let alone even thinking of being near her. His first night in town after settling in, he goes to the pub and pays for a round of drinks as the locals celebrate their drinks and Sean. However, Sean makes it clear that he wanted to be there peacefully, but Danaher is out for one thing to put Sean out of the town to gain the town. (Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA:
Why do I have a feeling that these two are going to scrap over Sean’s cottage and Mary Kate? (Cut to “The Quiet Man” as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
As Sean settles in, we see that he is haunted by something, but he and Mary Kate meet in all earnest, and the two begin a relationship, though they are getting some assistance from locals, including Michaeleen, the father, and the other members of the local clergy, also to help Will lose the Cottage to Sean. However, Mary Kate is not interested in Sean, even though there is interest, and as for Will, he’s not interested in Sean, but Sean’s threat makes it clear that he will not be threatened by Will, then proceeds to shoot himself in the foot with Mary Kate, for now. Sean then says he doesn't want a dowry for the marriage to Mary Kate. However, Mary Kate tells Sean that the Dowry is her value to the community and is meant to validate the marriage. 

TLOTA:
Seems kind of outdated to me, but since married life and I seem to be like Nitroglycerin and C4 Plastique, who am I to say or judge? (Cut to “The Quiet Man” as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
The villagers force Will to release the furniture but not the money. Sean then goes to confession so as to not fight Will, as we find out that Sean was a boxer and, in a fight gone wrong, Sean killed his opponent, who happened to be married, and the guilt left him wanting to get out of the country and vowed never to raise his fists. Mary Kate eventually tells that she has a part in the brewing of bad feelings in both Sean and Will. After getting reamed out by Father Lonergan, Sean and Mary Kate have partly reconciled and have been sharing the bedroom together since the wedding. The next morning, Mary Kate gets out of there and on a train to Dublin, hoping it will get Sean back into action. It does motivate Sean to get Mary Kate and himself to the Danaher farm to get the money. Will says no and delivers Mary Kate with the abidance of the Irish tradition of “No Money, No Marriage.” (Cut to James physically) 

TLOTA:
Okay, it’s sensible, but I still think Dowries are outdated in terms of weddings. (Cut to “The Quiet Man” as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
Will and Mary Kate head over to Sean’s and Will begrudgingly hands the money and Mary Kate over to Sean. Mary Kate and Sean decide to put the money in the boiler and burns it. (Cut to James physically) 

TLOTA:
Which means that the free-for-all I foresaw coming will happen in five, four, three, two... (Show Will trying to punch only for Sean to knock Will down with a defensive punch and a fight breaks out. Cut to James physically.) A little early. (Cut to “The Quiet Man” as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
So Yeah, Will and Sean get into a fight that evolves into a Marquess of Queensbury’s Rules fisticuffs that gets everybody’s attention, the only time they stop beating each other senselessly when they decide, let’s grab a pint or ten at the bar until the two admit they have respect for one another. Whether alcohol has a part in it or not and whether they like it or not, they are family. However, there is one last argument between the two and that is who's paying the tab! (Show Will tossing a drink on to Sean, and Sean punching Will sending him out the bar’s door and rendering him unconscious. Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA:
Well that answers that question, it’s Will! (Cut to “The Quiet Man” as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
Will and Sean stagger back and reconcile, making Mary Kate happy, and just in time for dinner. The movie ends with Will and The Widow Tillane beginning their courtship through town in a jaunting car driven by Michaeleen, while Sean and Mary Kate playfully chase each other home. (Cut to James physically) 

TLOTA:
So that was “The Quiet Man.” It was romantic, hysterically funny, and, without a doubt, one of John Wayne’s greatest movies. (Cut to clips of “The Quiet Man” as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
A lot of the ideas about the relationship and the romantic aspects are outdated in my mind and some of the aspects don’t age well either. But the acting, the writing, the fighting choreography, comedy and drama work the best. I absolutely love the chemistry between Maureen and John, and the fact that it lasts past this movie and into several more movies including their brief time together in the movie “Big Jake” which is one of my favorite John Wayne movies is a plus in my book. In fact, Maureen was even instrumental in making sure that John Wayne received a Congressional Gold Metal in 1979 before his death. If you haven’t seen it, then either check it out this Valentine’s or St. Patrick’s Day and see the romantic side of John Wayne and know that the luck of the Irish is on your side. (Cut to James physically) 

TLOTA:
And now we move forward with John Wayne with the only album he made. (Derisive laughing is heard out of frame as James sits there with a put-upon face.) Just come back soon and know that it’s not a joke, and John Wayne is not the same as William Shatner when he makes an album. I’m James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and that’s my opinion.  

American Icons: "Coach"ing the "Stage" for John Wayne

 (Guitar music like “American Idiot” plays as James Faraci and Paulo Fonseca on guitars, Andrew Beach on Bass Guitar, and Nick Lopez on the Drums and the set is like the set of “American Idiot” except the colors are Patriotically Red, White, and Blue) 

James Faraci (Singing): 
All year we’re cheering American Icons! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Twelve months of heroes of Cinema! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) From John Wayne to Rocky Balboa (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Oh, hell yeah, we’re talking about them all! (The tune continues) [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues.) We’re going to show off the hard work! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Even if it makes me look like a real jerk. (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Now everyone get ready to celebrate with us! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) And make sure you have a dose of common sense. (The tune continues) [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues with a guitar solo.) All year we’re cheering American Icons!  Twelve months of heroes of Cinema! Information about them will be a lot, you’re going to know whether you like or not [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues and concludes and the words “Americans Icons” are put up in different styles of text. The scene cuts to everyone in a Stagecoach as they look at James wanting to beat the hell out of him.) 

TLOTA: 
Okay, what did you expect? (Cut to Nick Lopez and Jessica Lopez-Barkl) 

Nick Lopez: 
Well, I’m glad you had suits that were era accurate and the driver and the one riding shotgun were willing to accommodate us all, I just wish we could have more room for all of us to sit, let alone breathe! 

Jessica Lopez-Barkl: 
I wish I could reach my liquor supply; I would break a bottle and kill you, James. (Cut to Rebecca and Nick Yaun) 

Rebecca Yaun: 
Relax, this isn’t the first time; we had to do research on Beethoven, and we saved him from some wholly unbelievable stuff. 

Nick Yaun: 
And that is scratching the surface. (Cut to Paulo and Brenda Fonseca, and Crosslyn Castillo) 

Paulo Fonseca: 
Speaking of scratching, these clothes itchy 

Brenda Fonseca: 
Would you like to wear this corset? It really sucks.  

Crosslyn Costillo: 
Tell me about it. I’ve been in mermaid tails that have hurt less. (Cut to James) 

TLOTA: 
Well now we know what it was like to ride in one of these, the second the ride is over, we’ll head back to the studio and... (Cut to everyone in the studio looking like hell) NEVER SPEAK OF THIS MOMENT AGAIN! (Cut to Doug Yaun standing with a bandage over his butt cheeks) 

Doug Yaun: 
I never thought I would have been dragged by my ass through a patch of cacti. (Cut to Andrew Beach, Olivia Horvath, Renee Miller and Eric Kurtzke) 

Andrew Beach: 
Several of us were hypnotized by an AI and had worked for what felt like an eternity and that more fun than that ride! 

Renee Miller: 
I appreciated the fact that you were willing to take a lot of heat for some things but the fact that the others had me ride outside of the coach, and I was somewhere between freezing and roasting alive. 

Eric Kurtzke: 
We were attacked by the first nation people who found us unfriendly. There is a scar over the center of my scalp from an arrow. 

Olivia Horvath: 
And if it weren’t for the fact that I decided to hold a gun, I would’ve been either shot by the one person who shouldn’t be there or by the unfriendly first nation’s people. (Cut to James) 

TLOTA: 
Okay! Okay! Okay! I got it, but now we have the experience and now I can do the review properly! (Cut to everyone else) 

Everyone else (In Unison): 
What review? (Cut to the screen card of “Stagecoach” then to James having just run into his office.) 

TLOTA:  
I told them I was doing John Wayne a couple of weeks ago, from now until the end of March! (Cut to clips of “Stagecoach” directed by John Ford as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.): 
Released in 1939, Directed by John Ford, and starring the likes of John Carradine, George Bancroft, Claire Trevor and of course The Duke himself John Wayne. “Stagecoach” was the first big success for the Icon, but also the first collaboration between The Duke and John Ford. But after all these years does this movie hold up? (Cut to James physically as everyone else in unison shouts “NO!”) 

TLOTA: 
Well let me at least try to see if it does! This is “Stagecoach”! (Cut to “Stagecoach” directed by John Ford as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.): 
The movie opens in June of 1880 in Tonto in the Arizona territory as we go to a Calvary outpost, and we get a warning from a Cheyanne that Geronimo is on the warpath. We then meet Buck, played by Andy Devine as those in his coach including alcoholic doctor Boone, played by Thomas Mitchell, Sam Peacock, a whiskey salesman, played by Donald Meek, Dallas, a retired woman of ill repute, played by Claire Trevor and Lucy Mallory, a calvary officer’s pregnant wife, played by Louise Platt. While at one stop our group is joined Gatewood, a crooked bank owner, played by Berton Churchill and a former confederate army officer turned gambler Hatfield, played by John Carradine on their way to Lordsburg, New Mexico. In the rest, Buck is met by Marshal Curley Wilcox, played by George Bancroft. Curley tells Buck about “The Ringo Kid” having just busted out of jail and is after the men who claimed “The Ringo Kid” murdered their foreman and is out for justice and the leader of the people who put “The Ringo Kid” away Luke Plummer is in Lordsburg doing as he well wanted to, just as Lt. Blanchard, played by Tim Holt tells the Marshall and Buck that Geronimo and the Apache are on the warpath. Blanchard and his troops will provide some protection to a stop on the way to a place on the trail called Dry Fork. Buck tells the passengers that Geronimo and the Apache are out there and there is most likely that not everyone will make it out alive and offers them the opportunity to stick around until it’s safe to ride out but Buck’s coach must hit the trail to stay on schedule. They all decide to join them. (Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA: 
Well, for as much as I like the western genre of cinema, one thing is consistent no matter what it’s like for people, They don’t make the best decisions for their longevity. (Cut to  “Stagecoach” directed by John Ford as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):  
As our group makes their way to Lordsburg, our group is joined by The Ringo Kid himself played by The Duke himself, John Wayne. Henry AKA “The Ringo Kid” tells his side of the story between him and the Plummers. While Curley and Ringo are friends, Curley must put “Ringo” under his custody. On a stop called Dry Fork, the new detachment of calvary riders has been reassigned to the Apache Wells station. Their current Calvary garrison exhausted decides to return to Tonto. The others decide to soldier forward. (Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA: 
Okay the line between bravery and stupidity is going from paper thin to half that thickness. I would’ve stayed at Dry Fork until Geronimo was captured or joined the Calvary back to Tonto. But if everyone says we’re moving forward, then I might as well face my end eventually; it must happen just saying. (Cut to “Stagecoach” directed by John Ford as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.): 
As their journey continues, with the Calvary now gone the others see that “Ringo” and Dallas are starting to get to bond and become romantic and that Mrs. Mallory’s father and Hatfield were once in the same regiment and Mrs. Mallory’s father is the reason that Hatfield is a gambler. The gang make it to the Apache Wells and it appears that everyone who was there was either killed, taken, or wounded, one of the wounded being Mrs. Mallory’s husband and having been taken to Lordsburg. Fearing the worse, she goes into labor. After forcibly sobering the drunk doctor, the baby is born healthy and with Dallas assisting. Later that night Ringo asks Dallas if she would like join him in a ranch in Mexico. Dallas worried if Ringo discovered her past; he’d leave her in a heartbeat! (Cut to James physically) 

TLOTA: 
And with my dating history, someone who is of ill repute would be the least problematic of issues I’d have. (Cut to “Stagecoach” directed by John Ford as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.): 
The next morning after some encouragement by Boone, Dallas and Ringo decide to head to that ranch, when they come to Apache territory and see smoke signals and return to the others to help. Reaching a ferry crossing, everyone is armed; the stagecoach is lashed with logs to float it across the river, and then the Apache begins their attack. Many of the group are wounded and it looks like... WAIT A SECOND!?! (Needle scratches and it cuts to James.) 

TLOTA: 
HATFIELD?! WHAT THE HELL?!?! YOU TELL MRS. MALLORY THAT YOU AND HER FATHER ARE FRIENDS, AND THAT YOU’D DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT HER A... A... AND NOW YOU’RE GOING TO SHOOT HER?! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?! (Cut to the moment that Hatfield is shot dead. Cut to James.) Well, I guess you gambled poorly and lost Hatfield. (Cut to “Stagecoach” directed by John Ford as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.): 
The stagecoach is saved by the 6th Calvary and Hatfield tries to justify what he did with his last breath, makes it to Lordsburg where Gatewood is arrested for absconding his own Bank’s funds. Mrs. Mallory is relieved to know her husband will survive, thanks Dallas for being there and Dallas gifts Mallory with a shawl, Peacock invited Dallas to his home in Kansas City, but Ringo decides to take Dallas to her fellow women of ill repute. Discovering that, Ringo holds onto one thing; he wants to marry Dallas! (Cut to James physically) 

TLOTA: 
Either Ringo doesn’t care about Dallas’ past, or he’s willing to try and do a Pretty Woman a good century before Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. Either way is good for him. (Cut to “Stagecoach” directed by John Ford as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.): 
While in Lordsburg, Luke Plummer and his brothers are playing poker when they hear about Ringo being in town. The final showdown goes down as Luke and his brothers meet up with the business end of Ringo’s rifle. Surrenders to Curley and asks Dallas to join him as they ride out of town on the buckboard, Curley and Boone stampede the horses and the movie ends with Ringo and Dallas riding off into the sunset. (Cut to James physically.) 

TLOTA: 
So that was “Stagecoach”, It was great. (Cut to clips of “Stagecoach” directed by John Ford as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.): 
I see why the movie is a classic, the writing is awesome, the acting including that of John Wayne is amazing. You can see from the beginning that this has all the makings of career making work for many including that of John Ford and John Wayne. I recommend you check it out to see the rise of John Wayne and as much as I have praised the movie and I do think that it is iconic and amazing, believe it or not this isn’t my favorite iteration of the movie. 

(Cut to clips of “Stagecoach” starring Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and their son John Carter Cash, Waylon Jennings, John Schneider, Tony Franciosa, Anthony Newley, and Mary Crosby, as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.): 
I know this sounds crazy but the one that was produced in 1986, directed by Ted Post (who directed “Beneath The Planet Of The Apes”) is my favorite version and I like some of the changes, especially to the fact that Hatfield wasn’t going to kill Mrs. Mallory and that he owed Mrs. Mallory’s father a debt and he planned to do right by protecting Mrs. Mallory and the baby and not killing them, they prove Ringo played by Kris Kristofferson was innocent and while Dallas and Ringo ride off to Mexico like it did in the original and instead of just Ringo taking down the Plummers after making it to Lordsburg, The Marshal, Hatfield and Doc join Ringo in dropping the Plummers like a bad habit. If you can find it, I guarantee you it will be as entertaining and as great as the original. So yeah, the first time that I recommend a remake and its original as great entertainment. (Cut to James physically) 

TLOTA: 
And next time we meet with The Duke, we’re going to see him in his more romantic era, and then we'll see if he can hit the top of the Billboard charts with an Album and then two of his greatest movies to round out our look at John Wayne. But the American Icons will continue for the rest of the year in one way or another. I’m James Faraci The Last Of The Americans, and that’s my opinion. (James walks away and meets the rest of the team.)  

TLOTA: 
Ow, where did this box come from? “Do Not open until March.” Uh, Guys where did... (Cut to everyone as they laugh hysterically.) What’s so funny? (Cut to Jessica Lopez-Barkl) 

Jessica Lopez-Barkl (Talking while laughing): 
We monitored your review, An Album by John Wayne?! (Laughing continues as it cuts to Nick Lopez) 

Nick Lopez: 
I heard some things in the past, but this doesn't just take the cake, it takes it and goes at lightspeed! (Laughing continues as it cuts to James standing with a put-upon look on his face.) 

TLOTA: 
2026 is going to be one of those years, James. Just get through it.