Film festival starts annual honor of John Wayne

“The Duke” rides into town in a big way next week when the Newport Beach Film Festival debuts what will become an annual film retrospective saluting John Wayne at this year’s festival, opening April 24 and running through May 1.

The John Wayne Tribute Series will start 11 a.m. April 26 at the Lido Theater with a 60th anniversary 35 mm screening of the classic 1948 film “Red River.”

The film was directed by Howard Hawks and received Academy Award nominations for Best Film Editing and Best Writing, Motion Picture Story.

Gregg Schwenk, executive director of the festival, said he wants to be sure younger audiences get an opportunity to see the work of “one of the great Hollywood legends of all time.”

“Our 2007 salute to Wayne’s 100th birthday was an enormous hit and since he’s one of Newport’s favorite sons we want to continue to highlight each year one of his many classic films,” Schwenk said.

Tickets are $11. For more information, go to www.newportbeachfilmfest.com.

— Sue Thoensen