July 22, 2010 Posted By: Mark Merrill

The Duke and His Daughter

John Wayne may have been known by his rugged masculinity in his movies, but he had a tender heart for his family in real life. In this clip, listen as “The Duke” expresses his desire and dreams for his then 8 month old daughter, Marisa.

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  • Sibboyleheights

    Even the Duke wanted the heavenly Father's blessings for his daughter!

  • Lcjohnson1988

    What John said is certainly true. That what people consider “old fashion” is what is important. He was teaching her the Lord's Prayer, and the Psalms. He was not acting, he was very genuine about what he felt and hoped for his girl. I think he reminds us to be thankful, to pray for those who take the oath to protect us, and I am glad that I have been and will always be a fan of his.

  • Mrsscout

    The Duke has always been a class act. Such a genuine and heart felt comment he made of his daughter. It's a pity there aren't more people that come out of Hollywood with his values.

  • http://www.FamilyMinute.com/ Mark Merrill

    Thanks for joining the conversation. The Duke led by example, which is something we all can do for our families.

  • Mathews1321

    As a kid in Patuxent, Maryland, I would watch John Wayne's cowboy movies on Saturday mornings down in our basement……as he was my “Hero” !! He seemed to me to be the best actor alive in my book & I sure do miss him & also, Dean Martin! So, anyone that also watched those movies in the 50's, say hello to a “wonderful De'javue memory just now!! Adious' Amego

  • Dholleman

    I always loved John Wayne as a an actor and as a person, and the video just repeats what I already knew, that he loved god, his country, and his faith. Great man with a great message, one that needs repeating, more now than ever. We seem to have forgotten what is important. Duke always had it right, still does. He will always remain bigger than life to me along with his message.

  • Joe Traina

    I pray that one day we as a Nation can turn back and embrace those important and simple values that so many held dear in our country only a generation ago.

  • Teaorangi Harrington

    John Wayne wasnt very Christian with views like this.. Read Below

    In an interview with Playboy magazine published on May 1, 1971, Wayne made several controversial remarks about race and class in the United States.

    He noted that, as someone living in the 20th century, he was not responsible for the way people who lived one hundred years before him had treated Native Americans, stating:

    I don’t feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them if that’s what you’re asking. Our so called stealing of this country was just a question of survival. There were great numbers of people who needed new land the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves…. I’m quite sure that the concept of a Government-run reservation… seems to be what the socialists are working for now — to have everyone cared for from cradle to grave…. But you can’t whine and bellyache ’cause somebody else got a break and you didn’t, like those Indians are. We’ll all be on a reservation soon if the socialists keep subsidizing groups like them with our tax money.

    He then continued to discuss race relations, including his opinions regarding the current civil rights of African Americans:

    I believe in white supremacy until blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. I don’t believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people…. The academic community has developed certain tests that determine whether the blacks are sufficiently equipped scholastically…. I don’t feel guilty about the fact that five or ten generations ago these people were slaves. Now I’m not condoning slavery. It’s just a fact of life, like the kid who gets infantile paralysis and can’t play football like the rest of us.

    When asked how blacks could address the inequities of the past, Wayne replied:

    By going to school. I don’t know why people insist that blacks have been forbidden to go to school. They were allowed in public schools wherever I’ve been. I think any black man who can compete with a white can get a better break than a white man. I wish they’d tell me where in the world they have it better than right here in America