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John Wayne took home the Oscar for his performance as crotchety Rooster Cogburn, an alcoholic US Marshall recruited by a young girl (Kim Darby) to capture her father’s killer and bring him to justice. Wayne is low key as always, but it works pretty well for him. Except for Robert Duvall as the villainous Ned Pepper, the rest of the casting leaves something to be desired. The story and characters (from the novel by Charles Portis) are the real stars here. There’s something about a young girl putting her faith in a jaded old man that makes all of us root for the old codger. Their relationship is the heart and soul of True Grit, and the key to its continuing appeal. With Glen Campbell, Dennis Hopper, and Strother Martin.

Academy Award: Best Actor (John Wayne)

Oscar Nomination: Best Song (‘True Grit’)