One film in John Wayne’s extensive oeuvre stands out above the rest. McLintock is the title of that film! Which included Wayne and Maureen O’Hara as leads. McLintock! is a Western loosely based on William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, in which John played cattle, timber, and mining mogul George Washington “G.W.” McLintock. Maureen portrayed his estranged wife, Katherine, who relocates to the East after suspecting G.W. of cheating on her. However, she returns to his town, and the two become entangled in a series of messes. The couple’s daughter Becky is also featured in the film, played by Stefanie Powers.
About the Film: McClintock
McLintock! is a 1963 comedy film directed by Andrew V. McLaglen and starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Patrick Wayne, Jack, Chill, and Yvonne DeCarlo appear in the picture (billed as a special guest stars). The project, loosely based on William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, was shot in Technicolor and Panavision and produced by Wayne’s Batjac Productions. Because the claimants did not renew their copyright registration in the 28th year following publication, the film entered the public domain in the United States in 1991.
How does the Plot Begin?
George Washington “G.W.” McLintock (John Wayne), the town’s namesake, is living a solitary life. He is estranged from Katherine, who divorced him two years ago after accusing him of adultery. She has been living like a socialite in the East while their daughter Rebecca finishes college. G.W. travels to town to meet with newly arrived homesteaders, informing them that they cannot farm on this land since it is used for cattle ranching and is too high an elevation. Devlin Warren, a needy young man, needing a job to support his widowed mother and sister, approaches G.W. three times and is turned down each time. He lashes out at G.W. when he has to beg, who admires his strength and hires him.
How does the Plot End?
Meanwhile, local bum Bunny sneaks into an Army train car during the party and hands over guns to the Comanche, who rides through town, pursued by the cavalry. Katherine is covered in molasses after a barrel is shot up and falls into a bundle of feathers during the chaos. G.W. She storms out to get cleaned up after laughing at her appearance. He decides to follow her to her hotel to find out why she left him and to abduct Rebecca. She loses her clothing in the ensuing chase and falls into a horse trough wearing only her corset and bloomers. Finally, G.W. spanks her at the blacksmiths before riding away. Devlin and Rebecca eventually get engaged.
Story Changing Plot:
Rebecca “Becky” McLintock returns to town, accompanied by a college admirer, “Junior” Douglas, whom G.W. dislikes, but Katherine approves. Four newly released Comanche chiefs are also on the train, having been brought to town for a hearing about transferring their tribe from McLintock to a reserve near Fort Sill, Oklahoma. They beg G.W. to represent them at the upcoming court, and he accepts. Devlin helps Rebecca decorate for her homecoming party at the ranch, but when he rescues her from falling, she accuses him of molesting her. He sternly admonishes her, which appears to impress her. Later, at the celebration, Devlin gets into a fistfight with another ranch employee, and his boxing skills impress G.W. and Rebecca.
McClintock Cast:
John Wayne plays George Washington “G.W.” McLintock. Maureen O’Hara plays Katherine McLintock. Patrick Wayne plays Devlin Warren. Stefanie Powers play Becky McLintock. Jack Kruschen plays Jake Birnbaum. Chill Wills plays Drago. Yvonne De Carlo plays Louise Warren. Matt Douglas Jr. is played by Jerry Van Dyke. Edgar Buchanan plays Bunny Dull. Perry Lopez plays Davey Elk. Strother Martin plays Agard. Gordon Jones plays Matt Douglas. John Wayne wrote the script to show his displeasure with how Westerners portray Native Americans, his views on marital violence, and his dissatisfaction with governmental corruption from either party. In contrast to earlier films in which Wayne starred but had limited creative influence, this picture is intentionally set in the past.
The film was shot at Tucson Studio in Tucson, Arizona, San Rafael Ranch House – San Rafael State Natural Area in Patagonia, Arizona, and Nogales, Arizona. Although the name of the territory is never spoken, and the Mesa Verde region where the film is set is primarily in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, the flag of Arizona is displayed alongside the U.S. flag in the court scene, even though the flag of Arizona was not made until 1917. Many actors and crew members had previously worked with Wayne on projects, including Andrew McLaglen, William H. Clothier, Bruce Cabot, Chill Wills, Edward Faulkner, Hank Worden, Strother Martin, and Maureen O’Hara.
