John Wayne’s Rio Lobo accommodates a enjoyable easter egg callback to an underrated 1953 Western – despite the fact that its implications are reality-shaking. John Wayne fronted round 80 Westerns in his profession and was very fortunately typecast as a cowboy. That mentioned, he largely averted sequels all through his 50-year profession, with the unofficial Rio Bravo trilogy being certainly one of his uncommon franchises. The rationale this trilogy is “unofficial” is that as an alternative of being direct sequels, all three movies are riffs on Rio Bravo’s story.
Wayne and director Howard Hawks switched round character traits and themes, however each El Dorado and Rio Lobo are basically Rio Bravo Remixed. Sadly, the latter is the worst of the trio, with Hawks later dismissing it as “that rattling piece of junk;” even Tarantino acknowledged Rio Lobo was the movie that satisfied him to retire early, as he did not need to finish his profession on a drained observe. There’s nonetheless some enjoyable available with 1970 Western, together with a pleasant meta gag for easter egg hunters.
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Rio Lobo’s Hondo Easter Egg References John Wayne’s Acclaimed 1953 Western
Rio Lobo’s shock easter egg comes at across the 40-minute mark
Rio Lobo’s story entails Wayne’s Colonel McNally searching down two traitors, along with his quest taking him to the titular lawless city. Whereas on the path, he stops within the city of Blackthorne to satisfy with the sheriff, and whereas the 2 outdated friends are chatting, a wished poster for “Hondo Lane” will be seen within the background. Followers of Wayne will know the Hondo character from the 1953 Western of the identical identify (which sits at 90% on Rotten Tomatoes), which can be notable for being the actor’s sole 3D film.
Hondo concerned Wayne’s Military dispatch rider changing into concerned with a homesteading household and options one of many star’s extra understated performances. The movie meant loads to Wayne too, because it was one of many first motion pictures produced by way of manufacturing firm Batjac, and he was closely concerned in producing it. Whereas John Farrow was credited as the one director, John Ford did uncredited work on Hondo when Farrow needed to exit the Western earlier than it wrapped.
Hondo Current In Rio Lobo Is A Enjoyable John Wayne Paradox
Hondo vs McNally feels like a greater film than Rio Lobo
Anyone watching Rio Lobo would should be well-versed in Wayne’s filmography to even catch the Hondo reference, however it’s a pleasant sight gag. Nonetheless, the truth that Hondo Lane and McNally exist in the identical world creates one thing of a paradox. In any case, if two males shared John Wayne’s face, drawl and distinctive stroll, that would not have gone unnoticed, even again within the 1860s. The truth is, it isn’t an incredible signal that McNally’s sheriff pal Pat (Invoice Williams) did not discover his resemblance to Hondo from the wished poster.
The Hondo easter egg additionally means that Lane lived an thrilling life earlier than the occasions of the 1953 movie. Since Rio Lobo is ready in the direction of the tip of the Civil Battle in 1865 and Hondo takes place in 1870, it seems he had troubles with the regulation earlier than his time within the Military. After all, the wished poster was meant as a throwaway sight gag, and it is uncertain anyone concerned with the movie thought of all of it that deeply about its implications. Nonetheless, McNally searching down Hondo feels like a extra rousing story than the one Rio Lobo instructed.
Hondo
was later was a TV sequence in 1967, with Ralph Taeger taking on the title position from John Wayne; the present solely ran for one season.
Supply: Rotten Tomatoes
Rio Lobo, directed by Howard Hawks, stars John Wayne as a former Union officer main a seek for the traitor who betrayed his unit throughout the Civil Battle. Alongside Jorge Rivero and Jennifer O’Neill, the search takes them to Rio Lobo, a city beneath siege, the place they confront the villain chargeable for the betrayal. This movie is the ultimate installment in Hawks’ trio of Westerns that includes Wayne.
- Director
- Howard Hawks
- Launch Date
- December 18, 1970
- Solid
- John Wayne , Jorge Rivero , Jennifer O’Neill , Jack Elam , Christopher Mitchum , Victor French , Susana Dosamantes , Sherry Lansing , David Huddleston , Mike Henry , Invoice Williams , Jim Davis , Dean Smith , Robert Donner , George Plimpton , Edward Faulkner , Peter Jason , Chuck Courtney , Robert Rothwell
