One of my favorite westerns and my favorite [most in character] John Wayne film was "The Shootist," It portrayed an old gunfighter dying of cancer played by the Duke who was dying of cancer. It was JW playing himself as he had in numerous westerns and as was he medical condition. Seemed it was he way to got out.
Unlike JW, it was unknowingly the last film as well for several members of the leading cast: James Stewart, Richard Boone, Harry Morgan, John Carradine, Sheree North, Scatman Crothers.
And now Miss Lauren.
Only Hugh O'Brien survives as a member of that generation.
Richard Boone, {Paladin from "Have Gun Will Travel"} arriving at the scene of the final showdown in a tiller driven steam driven car, Electrification. All indicators of an end of a time. As if their imminent passing was anticipated.
And Miss Lauren's angered passion toward JW. Knowing he was really dying, it appeared to me her emotions as well as Henry Morgan;s were genuine although the words were pulled out of a script. I but I wonder how many words were spontaneous. I had a feeling they all had something to day. Even by way of metaphor. Ron Howard character wanting JW character how to "teach him" the nuances of his career.
I wonder what those production days were like after hours...reflecting on their career.
"The Shootist" is a keeper.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shootist
BTW, chronically,by the early 1900s around when this movie is portrayed, my cowboy grandpaw would have been headed back to Lawrence Co with a few head of Texas horses.