The Longest Day: This American star was humiliated in front of the entire French cast after an embarrassing portrayal

If John Wayne has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the history of American cinema, this man has also had his share of very heated controversies. Fiercely anti-communist, ultra-reactionary by will, he was also four times elected president of the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals (“Film Alliance for the Preservation of American Idealsin the original version), from March 1949 to June 1953.

He also impressed in his famous interview with Playboy magazine when he was asked about 1970s anti-racism figure Angela Davis: “I do not believe that we did wrong when we took this great country from the Indians (…).

site Slashfilm reveals an interesting anecdote about Wayne, discovered in a piece written by American critic Scott Eyman, dedicated to the famous producer Darryl F. zanuk, 20th Century-Fox: Darryl F. Zanuck and the Creation of the Modern Film Studio.

All the more interesting as it is shown in the film The Longest Day, with the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings at the center of the news these days. And that it fits the actor’s not-always-flattering portrayal…

“You’re either 100% American or nothing at all”

The story comes firsthand from Fred Hift, who was the US press secretary the longest day. While Wayne was in his office talking to the press secretary, the actor asked him what his nationality was. He told her he was half American, half French. Wayne then posted this xenophobic response: “There is no such thing. You are either 100% American or nothing at all.”

The secretary was shocked and reported the incident Darryl F. ZanuckA film producer and one of the leaders of 20th Century Fox, who was outraged. When he went to the set, Wayne was confronted about his comments and the French part of the casting.

“Tell them what you told Hift’s secretary!” Zanuck yelled at the actor. “I’m sure they’d like to know.”. Faced with Wayne’s silence, Zanuck hurled the actor’s xenophobic thoughts at the French actors.

Shocked, they did not speak to each other until the end of filming. Hift said that when he went to the set later, he noticed a frosty atmosphere between the French actors and Wayne. “It was one of the few times I was proud of Darryl F. Zanuck.” Hift commented.