Los Angeles – April 26, 2018 – In honor of what would have been John Wayne’s 111th birthday this May, The Duke’s son and President of John Wayne Enterprises Ethan Wayne opens his vault of never-before-seen photos and rare memorabilia for HDNET MOVIES’ WESTERN ICONS film collection starting Friday, May 18. Ethan Wayne will host 10-nights of western classics on the network celebrating his father and the legendary actors of his generation with a double-feature each night at 7pE/4pP.

Before each film, Ethan Wayne will tell personal stories about the stars, many of whom he built relationships with while growing up on movie sets with his father, such as advice John Wayne gave to Clint Eastwood early in his career, how John Wayne kept his friendship and had civil discussions with Paul Newman despite differing political views, and John Wayne’s witty banter with his pen pal Kirk Douglas while Wayne was in the hospital.

Ethan Wayne will also share a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes photos and select memorabilia related to the films from his collection at John Wayne Enterprises. Some rare pieces include John Wayne’s original prop assistant card from his first job in cinema on the Fox Film lot and his five favorite films, as written on a card he filled out for The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Headlined by two John Wayne epics on Saturday, May 26, WESTERN ICONS will showcase 20 cinema classics starring legendary actors Clint Eastwood, Kirk Douglas, Randolph Scott, Gary Cooper, Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier, Dean Martin, Charlton Heston, Gregory Peck, Charles Bronson, Sidney Poitier, James Stewart, Omar Sharif, Robert Mitchum, Rock Hudson, Burt Lancaster, Chuck Connors, George Kennedy, Lee Van Cleef, and Joel McCrea.

WESTERN ICONS culminates in a 24-hour Memorial Day marathon of films featured in the event on Monday, May 28 beginning at 6aE/3aP.

“The western film genre and the core values of grit, honor and loyalty that my father embodied both on and off the screen are what he is still best remembered for today,” says Ethan Wayne. “Both fans and anyone that wants to get immersed into the classic western films will enjoy this special feature. We gave HDNET viewers a glimpse into my father’s world that few have seen.”

For a complete schedule of films and times, visit hdnetmovies.com/feature/western-icons/.

HDNET MOVIES’ complete “Western Icons with Ethan Wayne” lineup is as follows (all times eastern):

Fri., May 18

MACKENNA’S GOLD (19) – 7pE

PAINT YOUR WAGON (19) – 9:10pE

Sat., May 19

BUCHANAN RIDES ALONE (19) – 7pE

GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL (19) – 8:20pE

Sun., May 20

HIGH NOON (19) – 7pE

TWO RODE TOGETHER (19) – 8:30pE

Mon., May 21

BILLY TWO HATS (19) – 7pE

YOUNG BILLY YOUNG (19) – 8:40pE

Tues., May 22

BUCK AND THE PREACHER (19) – 7pE

THE UNDEFEATED (19) – 8:45pE

Wed., May 23

BUFFALO BILL AND THE INDIANS (19) – 7pE

GERONIMO (19) – 9:10pE

Thurs., May 24

GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (19) —7pE

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE (19) – 8:50 pE

Fri., May 25

FROM NOON TILL THREE (19) – 7pE

THE GUNFIGHT AT DODGE CITY (19) – 8:45pE

Sat., May 26

THE ALAMO (19) – 7pE

THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER (19) – 9:45pE

Sun., May 27

WILL PENNY (19) – 7pE

THE UNFORGIVEN (19) – 8:50pE

Mon., May 28

24-Hour Marathon – 6aE

 

For further information, visit www.hdnetmovies.com