The cinema is well-loved by people around the world. However, no one seems to love the movies more than dictators. While they love the storylines, dictators also recognize the power that movies and their messages hold over the masses.
Many dictators have made their own such as Kim Jon-Il and Saddam Hussien, and no one can forget Hilter's movies filled with Nazi propaganda. Joseph Stalin was in awe of the power they held and wanted to use film to spread Communism to the entire world.
Communist Threat
For him, though, a single actor posed a massive threat to his plan, John Wayne. The Duke was a huge voice in the anti-Communism movement, large enough that Stalin felt that he could ruin his mission even all the way in America.
Stalin ordered a hit on the famous actor, sending multiple groups to do the job. However, according to the book John Wayne-The Man Behind The Myth, Wayne was warned that the dictator was awaiting his demise.
Sergei Gerasimov, a Soviet filmmaker, warned him that the KGB was after him in 1949. In true fashion, Wayne was unphased by the news.
Hit Squad
Allegedly, when the KGB came after the actor, he and Jimmy Grant, a scriptwriter, captured them and hauled the KGB operatives down to the beach and faked an execution.
While there is no record of what happened to those KGB agents, rumor has it they went to work for the FBI. But the book says that the hit was not an isolated incident.
In 1953, KGB agents allegedly tried to take Wayne out in Mexico on the set of Hondo. Chairman Mao allegedly tried to take Wayne out too. When a sniper was captured in Vietnam, he said he was sent to take out Wayne.
After Stalin died in 1953, Nikita Krushchev met with Wayne in 1958 and told him there would no longer be any hits. He had rescinded the order.
Wayne never accepted help from the FBI throughout the whole ordeal and never told his family. He relocated to home with a massive wall around it, and that was the end of it. However, stuntmen in Hollywood found out and began to expose various plots against the Duke to keep him safe.
My man....John Wayne! American!
I don’t know about the rest of you guys, however - “IN GOD I TRUST”!!!!!
Better Dead Than Red.
Are you old enough to remember this phrase ?
God Bless America.
Back when Americans had heroic examples for kids growing up , now days we have gender police . vaccine police and , offensive speech police--------
Wait a minute. Each of these people ordering the assassinations were Democrat idols.
:] You noticed that, too. :]
Makes sence, as they also tried rumors avout him being a communist. Threats at both ends. First i heard of this now thoughs rumors make perfect sence.
I was honored and priveledged years ago to spend some incredible private time with the DUKE, He was at a neighbors ranch shopping for Prize Bulls for his ranch. While chit chatting with him I found him to be extremely polite and cordial and answered all my questions. The Duke was obviously extremely right wing and spoke freely about his Political endeavors. I could go on and on but all I can say is the DUKE was a all american as apple pie, I will never forget my incredible visit with this TRUE AMERICAN HERO
Fodder for a TMZ story or E Entertainment or for TCM alone to make, docustory
Radical if true
One of the GREATS that was loved for his movies and his actions.............They just don't make them like that in Hollyweird anymore........
We need a lot more men like John Wayne! What a great man!
the duke was the man