John Wayne And James Arness: Ranking Their 4 Movies Together

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John Wayne and James Arness were frequent co-stars in Western films, but it’s interesting to compare their careers. A common story claims Wayne turned down the role of Matt Dillon in the TV Western Gunsmoke, which went on to become a hugely successful and long-lasting show.

Actually, John Wayne was already a huge movie star when Gunsmoke started, and at the time, most film actors steered clear of television. While Wayne wasn’t thrilled with the idea of TV himself, he’s the reason James Arness got the part. Wayne suggested Arness to Charles Marquis Warren, the show’s writer and director.

He went so far as to reassure James Arness when the actor became hesitant, and John Wayne even recorded a special introduction for the first episode of Gunsmoke. Ultimately, Arness starred in all 20 seasons of the TV Western, and later reprised his role in five made-for-television movies. The 1994 film Gunsmoke: One Man’s Justice marked the end of the entire series.

Wayne was right about James Arness being a star. They’d already worked together on four films in just three years, so Wayne knew firsthand what Arness could do.

4. Big Jim McLain (1952)

Big Jim McLain stands out in John Wayne’s filmography as a rare political thriller. In the movie, Wayne plays ‘Big’ Jim, an investigator for the House Un-American Activities Committee, teaming up with his partner Baxter (James Arness) to track down communists in Hawaii.

The movie’s premise – portraying investigators from the House Un-American Activities Committee as the heroes – feels like something out of a bygone and troubling era, and that’s a fitting description of Big Jim McLain. In reality, John Wayne strongly supported HUAC and the Hollywood blacklist, which prevented many filmmakers from working because they were suspected of having communist beliefs.

Simply put, the film doesn’t resonate with modern audiences because it portrays the HUAC in a positive light, and that’s problematic given the context of that era. Even if you ignore the politics, it’s not a very good movie. It’s a strange mix of genres – it tries to be a serious political thriller, a love story, and even a lighthearted travel film, and it doesn’t quite succeed at any of them.

Wayne seems to be playfully exaggerating his usual tough-guy image in Big Jim McLain, but the character itself makes him surprisingly unlikeable. While the film does give Wayne and Arness a lot of time on screen together, that’s not enough reason to sit through one of their weakest movies.

3. The Sea Chase (1955)

The movie The Sea Chase is an adventure at sea, but it doesn’t quite live up to its potential. It’s based on a 1948 novel and features an unusual casting choice: John Wayne plays a German captain during World War II.

Wayne doesn’t even try to do a German accent, but that’s not the main problem with the film – and it’s not nearly as bad as casting him as Genghis Khan in The Conqueror. Really, The Sea Chase just doesn’t come to life as an exciting seafaring adventure.

A clumsy romantic connection between Wayne’s character and Lana Turner’s spy feels forced and doesn’t spark any chemistry, adding to the film’s problems. The movie also falls short on excitement, and Wayne later criticized the director, John Farrow, for its overall issues.

Interestingly, The Sea Chase marked the last collaboration between Wayne and James Arness. While Arness didn’t have a large role in the film, his career was poised for major success, as Gunsmoke premiered the same year and quickly launched him to fame.

2. Island In The Sky (1953)

One of John Wayne’s best, but often overlooked, roles is in this exciting 1953 adventure film. Directed by William A. Wellman (known for The Ox-Bow Incident), the movie features Wayne as a pilot who crash-lands in a freezing, desolate area. He must then fight to keep himself and his crew alive until help arrives.

I’ve always loved Wayne, especially in his Westerns – he just owned the screen. But you know, something about Island in the Sky really struck me. It’s a different side of him. Captain Dooley feels so much more real, so much more human than a lot of his roles. He’s the leader everyone’s looking to, but it’s clear he’s just as frightened as the rest of them, which makes him incredibly relatable.

As a fan, I always thought Island in the Sky felt like a predecessor to survival stories like Alive or The Grey. Sure, it can get a little cheesy with the emotions and the acting is sometimes over the top, but it still packs a punch. And honestly, it’s a beautiful film – the black and white photography is striking, and those airplane shots are really something special!

James Arness is part of the supporting cast, and though he doesn’t overshadow anyone, he delivers a solid performance. This isn’t one of John Wayne’s most famous films, but if you’re curious to see Wayne play a slightly different kind of role, this is the one to watch.

1. Hondo (1953)

Films like The Searchers, Red River, and Rio Bravo represent the peak of John Wayne’s Westerns. Hondo isn’t quite at that level, but it remains one of his strongest Westerns from the same period. Interestingly, it’s also the only movie Wayne ever made in 3D.

The story is straightforward: John Wayne plays an army messenger who gets stuck and is welcomed by a family settling the frontier. A romance quickly develops between his character, Hondo, and Angie, played by Geraldine Page. This film was significant for Wayne because it was one of the first movies made by his own production company, Batjac.

He contributed so much to the film creatively that the official director, John Farrow, had limited control. When Farrow had to depart mid-production, Wayne asked his longtime friend John Ford to complete the movie.

Hondo showcases excellent performances from both John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, who even received an Oscar nomination for her role. While O’Hara’s casting was unexpected, she and Wayne had surprisingly strong chemistry, which is central to the film’s emotional core. Wayne also had the opportunity to explore more depth in his character.

If you’re a fan of John Wayne, Hondo is a must-see. James Arness also delivers a strong performance in a key supporting role as a cavalry scout. While often compared to Shane (released in the same year), it’s a genuinely good Western film.

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2026-01-17 20:02