I don't see the purpose in relating this backstory to us. Everyone knows Wayne was usually a blowhard.
What does the airing of yet one further anecdote of his rude behavior, supposed to demonstrate?
Paul P. Powell, Pool Player

Yeah, so many references til Liberty Valance. The newspaper story, James Stewart and even anti-revisionist by giving Wayne a dying true to his spirit (not implying Ford was revisionist but Siegel is just over the top funny in handling the legend character).

Like him hate him
I am just happy that they made the film together. John Wayne gave one of his best performances in this movie Siegal was at the helm, and did a great job.
The film suffered most at the hands of a studio that did not think it would perform well so it was given rotten publicity
This movie should have been a hit.
When the legend becomes a fact print the legend.

This message has been deleted.

No, I didnt have the pleasure of knowing John Wayne OR Lauren Becall personally, and neither did you. I only know people that knew and worked with him.
I trust what THEY say about his health at the time, and what the family has confirmed and commented about many times. John Wayne HATED secrets, and even when his publicist released phony press releases about his FIRST bout with cancer in 1964/65, he allowed columnist James Bacon to interview him about it because he felt the fans deserved to know the truth.
From then on, he never allowed anyone in his "camp" to hide the truth about his health from the public. This was borne out again and again with what he went through.
It would have been a very interesting side-story to the plot of the film if JW HAD been afflicted with cancer at this point (late '75-early '76), and even more intriguing if he was AWARE of this being his last film due to illness, but neither was the case.
Having a lung removed seriously compromised his ability to breathe, especially at very high altitudes, but he STILL made moves from 1965 to 1975/76. This was the only major issue affecting his work and life, but he also had a wrecked shoulder from falling off his horse (due to an error by the handler that saddled it too loosely) during shooting for "The Undefeated."
As late as mid-1978, he was trying to get a script he had commissioned into "shooting shape," and was trying to line up the casting for it. The film was called Beau Jean (or John), and he had contacted Ron Howard about playing the second lead in it. This is straight from Ron Howard's own mouth, and no, I'm not personally aquainted with him, either.
He had heart trouble in early '78, and doctors put in a valve from a pig in his chest. He joked about this a lot.
As for most cancer patients during those years (as my mother was), JW was examined in regular intervals to determine any recurrence of cancer cells. The prevailing wisdom (then and now) was that 5 years cancer-free was a very good milestone to achieve. JW had more than 13 "clean" when they discovered the cancer in his stomach (Sept '78) that would claim his life.
It was not considered terminal at first, but due to his already damaged heart and lungs, the cancer spread very rapidly. Much faster than they could've anticipated. They removed his stomach right after his appearance at the Oscars, but it was too little, too late.
I already said that I'm NOT upset with Lauren Becall, and her statement doesn't change my opinion of her at all. People make mistakes, and that's what went on here.
I don't actI react. John Wayne

Do you say this having personally known him ? If you did then I defer to your knowledge of his health problems. If, however, you've surmised this based on what you had read about his health issues, I'd remind you that at his age at during those years, each and every illness/surgery etc takes a toll and 'remission' doesn't = good health. Ms Bacall knew him for many years and no doubt saw the changes in him as his health began to deteriorate. She had been through it all with Bogie and I'm sure was keenly aware of his 'changes' in mood/temperament
etc.
I'd like to think Wayne was satisfied with the film after watching the final cut. The cinematography alone was great and I can't imagine anyone, including Wayne, criticizing the direction. I LOVE this film !
RIP 'Duke'.

I know this is an old post, and I have no problem with Lauren Becall, whatsoever. She got along well with Duke before, and was moved by his gestures of kindness toward Bogie when it was announced that he had terminal cancer.
She IS however, incorrect in her assessment of Duke being sick and dying. The cancer that killed him would come back for another three years. He DID have breathing issues from time to time due to his lung being removed in 1964.
Other than that, its a great quote.
Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway. John Wayne

Apparently you're not much of a reader. It's simply a turn-of-phrase which means he was better than average.
Example of usage: if you're watching a drill team go by on parade –and you're impressed with the precision they display –you might turn to your pals and say,
"Gents, that is superior marching"
.
It means, higher quality than the norm.
Paul P. Powell, Pool Player

I disagree that he is a ''superior craftsman''. Superior to who? John Ford? If anything, he is an equal of Ford.
"An eye for an eye only ends up leaving the whole world blind" - Gandhiji

"Everyday you wake up is a beautiful day."
Amen, Duke!

That's a damned good article. Thanks for sharing it.