Eye Opener
The Duke in the docks
In the years following the Second World War, America’s
entertainment industry boomed and with that came a new
troop of press photographers seeking candid moments of
silver screen superstars. This subset of celebrity
photographers aimed to establish a collective memory that
encapsulated something raw and unshielded about the
people behind the public image. Among them was François
Gragnon, who captured this image of John Wayne in June- It was the same month that western classic
El Dorado was released, in which Wayne, true to form, plays
the crafty gunslinger Cole Thornton.
However, this photo reveals a side of “the Duke” that is
somewhat antithetical to his folksy Americana roles. It’s
Wayne in his element – in Newport, California, where his
yacht, Wild Goose, would moor at Lido Peninsula. He
acquired the former minesweeper in 1962 to replace his
smaller boat, 23 metre Norwester. Wayne presumed a larger
vessel would make it easier to enjoy time spent with family
and friends. And for years, the 45 metre Wild Goose
successfully served this purpose, becoming an essential facet
of Wayne’s private life. His son, Ethan Wayne, described the
days spent on board as “when my father was happiest”. The
Duke eventually sold the yacht just a few weeks before his
death in 1979. Still, its legacy remains. Now owned by
Hornblower Cruises & Events, Wild Goose is available for
charter for events in Newport Beach, letting guests revive the
zeitgeist of old school Hollywood.
Photography – François GragnonWords – Sanchita SivaramanPHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES