Monopoly - John Wayne Edition
Born in 1907, John Wayne enjoyed a career of over 40 years as a Hollywood actor, appearing in hundreds of motion pictures up until his death in 1979. He won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn in "True Grit" and was voted number 13 in a 1999 American Film Institute survey of the Greatest Male Stars of All Time.
Standing six foot four, John Wayne was an imposing figure. He
represented rugged masculinity, but also had a soft side. His distinct walk
and very recognizable voice have been one of the favorite subjects of
impressionists. As the saying goes, "impressionism is the sincerest form of
flattery." John Wayne was a legend in the American
Experience.
John Wayne was more than just a Hollywood actor who played a cowboy. To millions of Americans, he portrayed an image of good versus evil. In honor of the iconic figure who starred in Westerns and other motion pictures, the Monopoly John Wayne Edition was created.
Object of the Game
Like the many other versions of the game, the object is to accumulate as much wealth as possible and bakrupt all of your rivals. The game involves buying, selling and trading John Wayne properties. The last player standing, is the winner of the game.
The Box
A great deal of the appeal of the game starts with the box that contains the game. Pictured on the cover is a closeup head shot of "The Duke" with a broad smile across his face. To the opposite side of the cover, John Wayne is pictured in a familiar pose, sitting high in the saddle of his faithful horse. In the background, mountains rise in a classic bit of western scenery. The Monopoly logo and name is centered across the middle of the box.
The Tokens
This Special John Wayne Edition of Monopoly comes complete with 6 unique tokens (game pieces) used to move around the board. Each pewter piece is related to the life and career of John Wayne. There is a cowboy hat, a belt buckle, cowboy boot and stagecoach which sybolize his popular roles in many great Westerns. There is Duke the Dog and a director's chair which represents John Wayne's later career as a director. Many fans of The Duke, buy the game just for the collectible tokens.
The Board
The board itself is also themed with a picture of John Wayne. Individual properties are in the form of John Wayne movies. The spaces that represent Community Chest and Chance are designated as Classic cards and Legend cards. The traditional houses and hotels have been replaced with barns and ranches. The properties and deed cards are highlights in the long career of this legendary actor. As an example, Baltic Avenue was renamed the Old Tucson Studios where many of the great Westerns were filmed.
The John Wayne Special Edition Monopoly game will be of great interest to any fans of the noble star. You will be reminded of all of his greatest movies and appearances over a long and rewarding career. Go get one, Pilgrim.