5. “Neath the Arizona Skies” (1934)
“Snakes like you usually die of their own poison.” — Chris Morrell in “Neath the Arizona Skies” (1934).
Wayne makes a deep point in a short line from one of his earliest films. Bad people usually get what they deserve in the end — no truer words have been spoken.
6. “The Searchers” (1956)
“That’ll be the day.” — Ethan Edwards in “The Searchers” (1956).
Wayne says this line repeatedly in the film, including as a response to Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter), who wishes death upon him. It exemplifies Wayne’s frustration in the moment and even inspired a popular Buddy Holly and Jerry Allison song — which came out a year after the film.
7. “Stagecoach” (1939)
“Well, there are some things a man just can’t run away from.” — Ringo Kid in “Stagecoach” (1939).
In this classic Western, Wayne makes a key point. Problems are going to come up — as they did for Wayne when traveling through Apache territory — but ultimately, folks just must face ’em.
8. “The Shootist” (1976)
“I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” — J.B. Books in “The Shootist” (1976).
In Wayne’s final film role, he lays out his life’s mantra — which sounds a whole lot like the Golden Rule.