John Wayne filmography greatly. His successes during this decade included the Ireland-set romantic comedy "The Quiet Man" and two classic westerns, "The Searchers" and "Rio Bravo". Wayne also continued his producing activities during this period as well, notably with the formation of his own production company, Batjac. In 1960, Wayne appeared in his most personal production, portraying Davy Crockett in "The Alamo", which he also produced and directed. During the 1960s and 1970s, John Wayne ranked as an American icon and one of the top box office attractions in the cinema. Wayne's output of films consisted largely of Westerns but he also ventured
The Alamo (1960 film) slave as he wanted to break out of song and dance. Some producers blocked the move, apparently because Davis was dating white actress May Britt. Wayne's mentor John Ford showed up uninvited and attempted to exert undue influence on the film. Wayne sent him off to shoot unnecessary second-unit footage in order to maintain his own authority. Virtually nothing of Ford's footage was used, but Ford is often erroneously described as an uncredited co-director. According to many people involved in the film, Wayne was an intelligent and gifted director despite a weakness for the long-winded dialogue of his favorite screenwriter,