Published: May 10, 2009 12:19 am      

MOVIES: Winery goes West

Freedom Run takes role in Buffalo Niagara Film Festival

CAMBRIA — The Freedom Run Winery on Lower Mountain Road had a western duel with the wind at high noon Saturday and another at sundown.

The event was part of the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival that featured Tom Bishop’s Wild West Show, Wild Bill Frost’s Quick Draw and lasso routines.

Movies were shown in the barn, out of the wind, and Brendan Wayne, a grandson of John Wayne, was a hospitable guest.

Brendan, 37, is the eighth child born to Toni Wayne, John Wayne’s first daughter. He grew up in California and has had roles in a half-dozen movies, including the short “Mouth of Caddo: The Legend of Hell’s Gate,” which was shown twice at the Lower Mountain Road winery.

Hollywood is making “Mouth of Caddo” into a feature movie, and Brendan had some time off to attend the festival, which was founded by Bill Cowell of North Tonawanda.

“I wasn’t filming this week, so I got to come out. I’m a big fan of westerns, obviously,” Brendan said. “I grew up with probably America’s greatest icon. The American empires are mythology-like. It exemplifies the hard work and truth of man, willingness to get dirty and finish the job.”

Brendan was nine when granddaddy died. “For me, he was a cut-up. He was funny, he was great with us kids. I thought everybody’s grandfather was like that. He was amazing with us.”

Brendan is partial to “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” “The Quiet Man” and “The Cowboys,” but noted his favorite may change day to day. “Liberty Valance” was the first movie he ever saw.

“It was absolutely magnetic. I was drawn to it, still am,” Brendan said. “He was so human. Just a man. He made choices. At the end of the day, he made a choice for somebody else, for more people than himself. I thought it exemplified a great human trait that I would like to have.”

Brendan’s mom was in “Quiet Man,” in a crowd during the classic fight between John Wayne and Victor McLaughlin.

The family is involved in the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, which gives grants to hospitals.

“I want give something back,” Brendan said. “We’ve been really successful in finding ways to prolong life and help people in general with regards to cancer. My family is running around doing a lot of that.”

Movies at the festival began at 12:30 p.m. and ended with “Support Your Local Gunfighter” at 9:30 p.m. Gene Hackman, James Garner and Kirk Douglas starred in other movies. Several movies were shown at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda and the Market Arcade in Buffalo during the festival, which concludes today.

The western theme drew folks from Lockport, Buffalo, Sardinia, North Tonawanda and the neighborhood. There were buggy and wagon rides, overland stage coach rides, hot dogs, a pig roast and wine tasting, plus whip cracking, lariats and equestrian tricks.

“We’re just having some fun out here with some nice people,” Cowell said. “We’re doing good. We’ve had a great festival.”

Scott and Laura Szymczak of Buffalo came to check out the wild west show. “My son was very excited. He likes horses and cowboys — guns, of course.”

“I like it. It’s very cool,” said Johnny, 5. “My favorite part is riding the horsey and seeing the guns.”

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott

at 439-9222, ext. 6246.