Newt's John Wayne Site


New John Wayne DVD & Blu-Ray Releases



During the last several months there have been several releases of John Wayne films on DVD and Blu-Ray. Due to personal problems and a death in the family I haven't been as up on this information and dispensing it to you. I hope to get back into swing of things with this update of these releases and I am planning a trivia contest soon, stay tuned.

This summer that were two releases that came out with a DVD copy plus a Blu-Ray copy in the case. First was a new remastered issue of The Big Trail.


Big Trail DVD & Blu-Ray
Click here for larger view

John Wayne delivers a charismatic performance as Breck Coleman, a courageous young scout leading a wagon train of pioneers on the perilous Oregon Trail. Along the way, Coleman finds himself charmed by the lovely and vulnerable young settler Ruth (Marguerite Churchill). But he must defend her and his fellow travelers against untold dangers...Indian attacks, buffalo stampedes and a treacherous wagon boss (Tyrone Power Sr).

Disc 1: Blu-Ray Disc Special Features:


Disc 2: DVD Special Features:


The second dual format release is the long sought-after The Barbarian and the Geisha. This film has not been released in the U.S. on home video until now.


The Barbarian and the Geisha DVD & Blu-Ray
Click here for larger view

In 1856, an American diplomat embarks on a trade mission to negotiate with the hostile Japanese government. Neither threats, discomfort, nor even a beautiful geisha can stand in his way as he goes about his formidable task. Directed by John Huston, The Barbarian and the Geisha is finely crafted tale of adventure, intrigue and romance set against a fascinating historical backdrop. (NOTE: This film is also available in a 10 film boxed set The John Wayne Film Collection released by Fox Home Entertainment on May 8, 2012.)

Disc 1: Blu-Ray Disc Special Features:


Disc 2: DVD Special Features:



Hondo (1953) Blu-Ray Disc
Click here for larger view

On June 5, 2012 Paramount Home Video released on Blu-Ray Hondo (1953). Boasting a superb acting performance by Geraldine Page as strong-willed Angie Lowe, an isolated female rancher caught between warring Native American tribes. When Cavalry rider Hondo Lane (John Wayne) comes upon Angie and her son, he becomes their designated protector and finds himself embroiled in Angie�s personal drama, as well as the growing danger from the nearby Apache. Meanwhile, Angie grows more and more captivated by Hondo�a man hardened by experience but still capable of sympathy, kindness and love. Besides great acting by the two leads, spectacular scenery and a powerfully compelling story, Hondo is an unforgettable cinematic experience.

You can see an extended review page for this Hondo Blu-Ray release with special features and video of this release and un-boxing by Film Fan Pete.



On August 7, 2012 Olive Films released new Blu-Ray (left image) and DVD (right image) versions of Rio Grande. The is the third of the so-called cavalry trilogy directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne.

Rio Grande Blu-Ray
Click here for larger view 		Rio Grande DVD
Click here for larger view
The last of John Ford's famous cavalry trilogy (following Fort Apache and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon), Rio Grande nonetheless has an interesting continuity about the gentlemanly rules of military conduct. Here the focus is on the family. While creating a heated controversy over his handling of the Apache war, John Wayne must also contend with disgruntled wife Maureen O'Hara and estranged son Claude Jarman Jr., a new recruit trying to earn his father's love and respect. Ford seems to suggest that there are two conflicting codes of honor in every cavalry officer's life, the personal as well as the professional, and that it takes an act of heroism to maintain both. It's fascinating to observe Wayne's progression throughout the trilogy, as his personal stakes intensify. Also, this is the first of five onscreen appearances between the Duke and O'Hara, each filled with a competitive spirit and stormy sexuality.




On October 2, 2012 Olive Films released four of the John Wayne starring 3 Mesquiteers films. These films are released separately in Blu-Ray (left image) and DVD (right image). The Three Mesquiteers was the umbrella title for a series of fifty-one B-westerns released between 1936 and 1943. The films featured the characters Stony Brooke, Tucson Smith and Lullaby Joslin or Rusty Joslin as the threesome; played by many B-western stars of that era. In 1938, John Wayne took over for Robert Livingston as Stony Brooke and starred in eight Mesquiteers films between 1938 and 1939, he was joined by Ray Corrigan as Tucson Smith and Max Terhune as Lullaby Joslin for the first six and Raymond Hatton as Rusty Joslin for the last two... all eight films were directed by George Sherman (Big Jake). John Ford's Stagecoach was perfectly sandwiched between the eight films and John Wayne portrayal of the outlaw gunfighter made him a superstar and ended Wayne's Stony Brooke run... Livingston was rehired as Brooke and went on to make fourteen more Mesquiteers films, for an incredible total of twenty-nine.

Overland Stage Raiders Blu-Ray
Click here for larger view 		Overland Stage Raiders DVD
Click here for larger view
Overland Stage Raiders (the second of eight Wayne Mesquiteers films) co-stars silent film icon, Louise Brooks (in her final film performance) and Anthony Marsh as siblings who partner up with the three amigos to save their struggling airline, standing in their way is an evil business man and his band of outlaws.

Red River Range Blu-Ray
Click here for larger view 		Red River Range DVD
Click here for larger view
In Red River Range (the fourth of eight Wayne Mesquiteers films), The Cattlemen's Association has called in the three amigos to find a gang of cattle rustlers, their friend Tex Riley (Kirby Grant, best known as TVs Sky King in the 1950s) poses as Stony, so the real Stony can go undercover as an outlaw to infiltrate the gang. Featuring Polly Moran and Lorna Gray.

Night Riders Blu-Ray
Click here for larger view 		Night Riders DVD
Click here for larger view
In The Night Riders (the fifth of eight Wayne Mesquiteers films), a crooked gambler (George Douglas), impersonating Don Luis de Serrano, establishes himself as a dictator within the United States with a phony land grant dating back to Phillip of Spain. With an army of hired gunmen he evicts all the townspeople off his "land" who fail to meet his tax demands. After their appeal to President James Garfield in turned down, our evicted heroes become the masked avengers nicknamed The Night Riders; modern-day Robin Hoods, stealing from the land baron's goons and giving back to the oppressed farmers. Featuring Doreen McKay and Ruth Rogers.

Three Texas Steers Blu-Ray
Click here for larger view 		Three Texas Steers DVD
Click here for larger view
Three Texas Steers (the sixth of eight Wayne Mesquiteers films) co-stars Carole Landis as Nancy Evans, a lovely circus owner whose crooked manager, George Ward (Ralph Graves) sabotages her circus with a series of mysterious incidents, so she has no choice, but to sell the ranch her grandfather left her in Mesquite County. Bankrupted and broke, Nancy and her band of carnies decide to move to Mesquite and live on the ranch until they're back on their feet. Ward and his cohorts vow to drive Nancy off her ranch, but standing in their way are Nancy's new neighbors, The Three Mesquiteers. This was Max Terhune's twenty-first and final appearance as Lullaby Joslin.



John Wayne Store


John Wayne lives at www.jwaynefan.com