The Shootist

Western starring John Wayne in his final screen role as gunslinger JB Books. Stopping off in a small town to seek advice about the searing pains in his back, Books is diagnosed by the local doctor as having terminal cancer. Hoping to spend his last days in peace, but unable to escape his reputation, he prepares himself for one last showdown., Western starring John Wayne in his final screen role as gunslinger JB Books. Stopping off in a small town to seek advice about the searing pains in his back, Books is diagnosed by the local doctor as having terminal cancer. Hoping to spend his last days in peace, but unable to escape his reputation, he prepares himself for one last showdown. (Including five News Update), The Duke excels in his final screen role as JB Books, feared and admired for thirty years as one of the West’s greatest gunslingers. Stopping off in a small town to seek advice about the searing pains in his back, Books is diagnosed by the local doctor as having terminal cancer. Hoping to spend his last days in peace, but unable to escape his reputation, he prepares himself for one last showdown., A dying gunman aims to go out in a blaze of glory while settling old scores and making new friends in turn-of-the-century Nevada., A dying gunman aims to go out in a blaze of glory while settling old scores and making new friends in turn-of-the-century Nevada.., About ten minutes into The Shootist, Doctor Hostetler (James Stewart) tells aging Western gunfighter John Bernard Books (John Wayne), “You have a cancer.” Knowing that his death will be painful and lingering, Books is determined to be shot in the line of “duty.” In his remaining two months, Books settles scores with old enemies, including gambler Pulford (Hugh O’Brian) and Marshall Thibido (Harry Morgan) and reaches out to new friends, including a feisty widow (Lauren Bacall) and her hero-worshipping son (Ron Howard). Throughout the film, Books’ imminent demise is compared with the decline of the West, as represented by the automobiles and streetcars that have begun to blight the main street of Books’ hometown., The Duke excels in his final screen role as J B Books, feared and admired for thirty years as one of the West’s greatest gunslingers. Stopping off in a small town to seek advice about the searing pains in his back, Books is diagnosed by the local doctor as having terminal cancer. Hoping to spend his last days in peace, but unable to escape his reputation, he prepares himself for one last showdown.