Many people think The Shootist was John Wayne’s last film but that really was not the case. The Shootist was his last theatrical release in 1976 – directed by Don Siegel and based on Glendon Swarthout’s 1975 novel of the same name. Home For The Seabees was a film for the US Navy and not a theatrical release. It was produced in 1977. It currently is being shown everyday at the Navy Historical Museum in Port Hueneme, California. Wayne agreed to do this movie because he admired the Seabees since he completed the movie, The Fighting Seabees in 1944. This is part seven, the final chapter of a seven part series.
The shooting was complete. John Wayne was great as usual with his fans. He signed as many autographs and posed for as many pictures as time allowed, including one with my son Randall.
For those he could not reach there were calling cards the Duke handed out with “Good Luck, John Wayne” on them. The autograph was a facsimile, but I know a few people who are still holding those cards from 1977.
He took care of virtually everyone…As he was leaving to go back to Newport in his motor home, he approached me and handed me a 2/3rds full bottle of Sauza Commemorativo Tequila, his favorite.
“Never carry alcohol in anything I’m riding in,” he said. I tried to tell him that he was sitting in the back or a motor home. “Never!” he responded. A great safety tip from the Duke himself.
My son still has that bottle, but the contents seem to have evaporated. As he left, John Wayne could not possibly know that his film Home For The Seabees is still shown at the Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme, California, every day that it is open.
PS: You can barely see me in the right of the photo, trying to sneak out of the shot…I didn’t make it!
If you missed any parts of this series, click on the titles below to catch up on what you missed …
Part One: “I’ll Do It For Ya!”
Part Two: The Movie is a Go!
Part Three: “It’s Impossible to be too Close to your Writers”
Part Four: Rewriting the Script for a Hollywood Legend
Part Five: “Who Better to Write for John Wayne than the Duke Himself”
Part Six: Walking the Last Mile
Part Seven: Wrapping Up Production: A Safety Tip From The Duke Himself
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Wayne was one of the “larger than life” celebrities from the Golden Age of Hollywood. It was my pleasure to work with “Mr. Wayne” (aso I called him) along with many other greats of that era. If you liked this story, you can read more about The Duke and many others I had the opportunity to interact with in my coffee table book Starcatcher: A True Life Hollywood Fantasy. At 83 years old, I decided to bring out the old typewriter and write my first book about my adventures. I found a great publisher who decided to make my book available to all of you! The fine folks at Robert Reed Publishers has the book on sale now with some great information and highlights.
