John Wayne’s Challenging Collaborations: Twice Forced to Work with Difficult Actress

John Wayne, an iconic figure in Hollywood, had an impressive career filled with victories and struggles. Among his challenges were two tumultuous collaborations with actress Vera Ralston, who was connected to the powerful studio head Herb Yates. Known for his commanding presence in the industry, Wayne often found it difficult to accept being paired with Ralston, a decision largely influenced by Yates.

John Wayne and Herb Yates

Wayne’s relationship with Herb Yates, the founder of Republic Pictures, began positively. Yates played a crucial role in Wayne’s career for nearly two decades. However, their friendship soured when Yates’s personal life began to interfere with professional decisions.

The Introduction of Vera Ralston

• In the late 1940s, Yates left his wife for Vera Ralston, a former Olympic figure skater.
• Yates aimed to elevate Ralston’s career by pairing her with Wayne.

In 1945, Wayne starred alongside Ralston in the film “Dakota.” Despite Ralston’s attractiveness, Wayne was vocal about his dissatisfaction with her acting abilities. He described her as “no actress,” and his good friend, Paul Fix, agreed that both her performance and the film were subpar. As he recounted, “nobody was interested in seeing Vera Ralston except Herbert Yates.”

Second Collaboration and Reluctant Acceptance

• In 1949, Wayne faced another forced collaboration with Ralston in “The Fighting Kentuckian.”
• Yates insisted Ralston be the female lead, causing Wayne significant frustration.

Wayne protested, stating, “Damn it, Herbert, I know you love the gal, but she just can’t act.” Ultimately, he acquiesced, recognizing that he needed Republic Pictures’ support for his own project, “The Alamo.” Fix reiterated Wayne’s sentiments, labeling Ralston as a “really nice lady” but an “absolute disaster” in her acting roles.

Lasting Impact and Legacy

Wayne hoped audiences would remember his scenes with comedy icon Oliver Hardy rather than Ralston’s performance. In reality, Ralston would appear in only a handful of films after her collaborations with Wayne, retiring from acting by the late 1950s. This narrative highlights the complications in Wayne’s career, emphasizing how external pressures can shape artistic endeavors.

While his work with Vera Ralston remains a blemish in Wayne’s illustrious career, it also serves as a reminder of his resilience in the face of adversity and the challenges of navigating the complex landscape of Hollywood.