Ron Howard says working on John Wayne’s final movie gave him more than a memorable acting credit. It also gave him an early lesson in how tension between a star and director can shape an entire set.
Entertainment Weekly reported that Howard discussed his experience on the 1976 Western The Shootist during Ben Mankiewicz’s Talking Pictures podcast.
BroadwayWorld also noted that the episode explored Howard’s career anxieties, influences and the mentors who shaped him as a filmmaker.
Howard Was Caught Between Two Strong Personalities
Howard played Gillom Rogers opposite Wayne’s aging gunfighter J.B. Books in The Shootist, which was directed by Don Siegel. Looking back, Howard said Wayne and Siegel did not get along, while he found himself able to connect with each of them separately.
That made the set uncomfortable in a way that stayed with him. Howard was 22, still widely known from The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days, but he was also studying filmmaking and paying close attention to how a major production handled conflict.
Howard said he learned from Siegel as a director, but also learned “in a rather uncomfortable way” because of the feud between Siegel and Wayne.
Wayne Trusted Howard Enough to Run Lines
Howard said Wayne liked his professionalism, and that gave the younger actor a way into Wayne’s tightly controlled working space. He remembered asking Wayne if he wanted to run lines, something few people seemed willing to do between setups.
The answer was yes, and Howard said the two had many dialogue-heavy scenes together. Watching Wayne shape material into a John Wayne performance became its own lesson in movie-star craft, even as tension with the director remained in the background.
Howard also said Wayne spoke to him about his frustrations with Siegel and the way the movie was being shot.
The Conflict Became a Directing Lesson
Howard said Siegel also explained the hard reality of directing a major star. According to Howard, Siegel told him that once a production is far enough along, a director can be easier to replace than the star because the studio cannot afford to reshoot everything.
He said the better approach is to go directly into a disagreement, talk it through and keep it from becoming petty or emotional when the original issue may be creative, personal or rooted in insecurity.
The Film Still Holds a Special Place
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The Shootist became Wayne’s final film role before his death in 1979 from complications of cancer. The movie also featured Lauren Bacall, James Stewart, Richard Boone, John Carradine and Scatman Crothers.
Howard still praised the finished film, saying it holds up well and builds carefully. He also credited Siegel, whose directing career included Dirty Harry and Escape from Alcatraz, with making a strong movie despite the tension around it.