John Wayne's "Big Jake" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jacob McCandles

John Wayne's character was named Jacob McCandles. An ageing rancher and businessman, with a reputation with a gun, he had not been home for 18 years. But when word reached him that he was needed at home, he returned immediately with his long-time friend Sam Sharpnose played by American actor Bruce Cabot, who co-starred with the Duke in twelve movies.

Answer: Grandson

Ethan Wayne, was John Wayne's youngest son and he portrayed McCandles' kidnapped grandson in this movie. The old gunfighter was unaware of who was kidnapped until he got home and his wife informed him that one of his sons had been badly injured and his grandson was being held for a million dollars in ransom.

She had the ransom and his favorite weapons, food, water, and horses ready for him.

Answer: Maureen O'Hara

"Big Jake" was one of John Wayne's many movies where he co-starred with the vibrant red-headed Irish actress Maureen O'Hara. It was their fifth and last movie together. Her role in this movie was not large but very important. Martha McCandles' resentment and love for her estranged husband were very evident and realistically portrayed by O'Hara.

These feelings went both ways, as later in the movie, their sons found their mother's photo inside their father's pocket watch.

Answer: Richard Boone

The movie's main protagonist John Fain, was marvellously played by Richard Boone. His character fully expected that the ransom would be paid and seemed dumbfounded when things did not go his way. Richard Boone's granite face meant he often played the villain in his movies. He played with John Wayne in the Duke's last movie "The Shootist" (1976).

Answer: The Texas Rangers

The gunfighter left on horseback, with his Indian friend Sam Sharpnose on horseback, and a mule carrying the ransom. The Texas Rangers attempted to assist while using the new horseless carriages. They were planning to ambush the kidnappers and take off as fast as they could.

When they got to the ambush site, they themselves were ambushed and took heavy losses. The Duke's character and Sam came plodding along on horseback. Two of the gunfighter's sons were riding with the Rangers and, unhurt, choose to ride with their father in spite of the strained relationship.

The Rangers were left on the side of the path to await assistance.

Answer: Dog

The dog's name was simply Dog! A very well trained and loyal collie, he attacked anyone that Big Jake told him to. Sadly, Dog died at the end of the movie protecting Little Jake who was Big Jake's kidnapped grandson. Greeners was a brand of shotgun that Big Jake favored and had been packed by his wife prior to his arrival. And, well, Rover is just a common name for a dog.

Answer: Patrick Wayne

John Wayne's real life son Patrick Wayne played James McCandles. James felt a lot of resentment for his father because he left home and had been gone for years. Michael the younger son was a little more ambivalent. James displayed a lot of characteristics of his father.

The father and sons engaged in a couple of fist fights in the movie, but by the end of the movie all was forgiven. The grandson was saved and the watcher was left with the idea that they all went back to the ranch and renewed their lives together. And yes, Christopher Mitchum is the son of famous Hollywood actor Robert Mitchum.

Answer: True

Michael Wayne was John Wayne's eldest son. He was involved in many of his father's movies including "The Alamo" (1960), "McLintock" (1963) and "Cahill,U.S. Marshall" (1973). He also had uncredited appearances in "The Conqueror" (1956) and "The Quiet Man" in 1952.

Answer: False

"Big Jake" was filmed in Technicolor, a film process famed for its saturated levels of color. It was used in the "Wizard of Oz" (1939) to obtain the vibrant colors seen throughout that movie. It was popularly used in musicals, and cartoons as well.

Answer: Church courtyard

The exchange was to take place in an empty church courtyard. The surrounding town was participating in a festival and the scenes shifted from lively Mexican music to one of darkness, silence, and palpable fear. The red trunk containing the supposed ransom was lifted off the mule, and the kidnapped grandson was brought forth tied up with a canvas bag over his head.

When John Fain opened the trunk and realized that the trunk was full of shredded newspaper, not cash, he yelled for his men to shoot the helpless boy.

In the ensuing gunfight Sam Sharpnose, Dog, and all the gang members were killed. Big Jake, his two sons, and his grandson were joined together with a new sense of unity. The viewer was left with the impression that good had won over evil. Big Jake the gunslinger was gone and Big Jake, the father and grandfather, was going to go back to the ranch to live again with his family.