Fantastic Film Fest
John Wayne Film Festival yields parties galore for Dallas social set
The third annual John Wayne Film Festival kept Dallas buzzing with parties, performances and, most important, movies featuring The Duke himself at Look Cinemas. This was the first time the fest was held in Dallas.
The excitement began with a VIP dinner at Nick & Sam’s Grill, where guests such as Mayor Mike Rawlings, Micki Rawlings, Lynn and Allan McBee, and event chairs Anne and Steve Stodghill welcomed John Wayne's family to Dallas. His children — Patrick Wayne, Melinda Wayne-Munoz, Ethan Wayne and Marissa Wayne — and granddaughter Anita Swift all showed up to celebrate.
Next up was opening night, with a screening of The Quiet Man, introduced by Bob Gazzale, president and CEO of the American Film Institute. The party continued at Gilley’s Dallas, where Texas native Pat Green provided the tunes. The following evening, fans headed down to Trinity Groves for a Texas-style gala featuring the Robert Lee Kobb Band.
On Saturday, Ann-Margret made an appearance at Look Cinemas, where she greeted fans, posed for photos and introduced The Train Robbers — the 1973 film in which she starred opposite John Wayne. The festival ended in style with a closing-night party at the Stodghill residence, featuring a set by the Hunter Sullivan Band.
Among the film fans spotted during the festival: Tom Landry Jr., Kara and Randall Goss, Gina and Scott Ginsburg, David Kiger, Todd Wagner, Cecily and Scott Gooch, Alison and Harry Hunsicker, Jeff Price, Ellen and Don Winspear, Holly and Stubbs Davis, and Phil Romano.
The John Wayne Film Festival supports the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, which was created in honor of John Wayne after his family promised to use his name to continue his fight against cancer.