Before John Wayne’s walk became iconic, he hated watching himself on screen: “He had trouble”

John Wayne initially disliked seeing himself on screen because he felt stiff and struggled with the physical side of acting. With guidance from co-star Paul Fix, he practised a distinctive rolling walk that helped make him appear relaxed and commanding, and became one of his best-known screen traits.

Fix advised Wayne to point his toes into the ground, which made his shoulders and hips swing as he walked. He urged Wayne to watch his films to learn from his movements, and Wayne soon mastered the walk. Later, Wayne said watching older films could be irritating because it reminded him of how much he had aged.