"Big Jim McClain" 1952. John Wayne, Jim Arness. One of John Wayne's worst movies, and yet surprisingly it turned out to be highly influential. Not only did Jim Arness go on to a very comfortable 20 season television role in "Gunsmoke", (by way of John Wayne's help) but the plot concept of "Big Jim McClain" served as the concept for the highly successful TV series "Hawaii 50" with Jack Lord in the John Wayne role. And in fact the 1968 TV Movie that kicked off the new "Hawaii 50" series was a direct take from "Big Jim McClain" with McGarrett investigating the death of his close friend         arranged by a Communist spy ring (directly from the original). The "Hawaii 50" pilot movie was John Wayne all the way and showed that good          production and direction, which "McClain" lacked, could make it work and attract a large loyal audience. Ironically, TV western star Richard Boone was selected as the original McGarrett but turned it down to make his own movie.

Hawaii 50, South Pacific, John Ford, Magnum, P.I., John Duke Wayne, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Dorothy Lamour, Bird of Paradise, Fantasy Island, Bing Crosby, From Here To Eternity, Pearl Harbor, Lilo & Stitch, Blue Hawaii, Sweet Leilani">
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