Expert: Mel Priddle - 5/17/2008

Question
Could you please tell me if John Wayne used throwing things in his movies as a trade mark move?  My father noticed that in many of his movies he threw things, coffee cups, spam cans etc. when it did not always seem like a logical thing to do.
Thank you,
Kate

Answer
Hello Kate,

Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a "trade mark", but he certainly used that particular gesture as a sign of anger in several films. One particular scene that comes to mind is when, having just been told that the invasion of Europe is about to get under way, he violently throws his metal coffee cup down in "The Longest Day". I always thought that the gesture was a little overdone and not really necessary in the context of the scene.

Glad to be of help. Cheers.........Mel.