Nearly 35 years after his death from cancer, John Wayne, whose career spanned 50 years and included more than 175 films, continues to rank among the nation’s favorite movie stars in annual Harris polls. In 2011, fans got the opportunity to see some of the films on the big screen again in Snyder, when actor and Wayne family friend Barry Tubb orchestrated the John Wayne Film Festival to raise money for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. In April, the festival made the move to LOOK Cinemas in Far North Dallas. The venue change allowed opportunity for growth said festival co-chairman and Preston Hollow resident Steve Stodghill. “It had a very successful run out in Snyder, but [Tubb and Wayne family members] were interested in expanding the film festival and reaching more people,” Stodghill said.

UPDATE: The four-day festival in April at LOOK Cinemas offered screenings of 11 John Wayne films paired with appearances by special guests such as John Wayne’s The Train Robbers co-star Ann-Margret and Wayne family members. Tickets to the 2014 festival sold out and the event raised more than $300,000 for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. Plans are underway to bring the festival to Dallas again next year, but details have not been released. “The John Wayne Cancer Foundation was pleased to hold the John Wayne Film Festival in Dallas, Texas in spring 2014. The event was a success because of the generous support from the Dallas community. My dad had a special affinity for Texas and the John Wayne family would like to thank Dallas for supporting the event. We are looking forward to the 2015 John Wayne Film Festival and we have some exciting new ideas.

Please visit JWCF’s website [at] johnwayne.org for updates in the new year,” said JWCF CEO and President Ethan Wayne in a statement.

Source: Dallas Morning News