‘Mclintock’ Airing After 15 Years

It’s news when the John Wayne film “McLintock” shows up on television.

And that’s just the way Wayne’s son Michael planned it.

“My feeling is that less is more,” Wayne said.

Unlike some other Wayne films that show up dozens of times on network and cable each year, “McLintock,” which also starred Maureen O’Hara, has not aired on commercial television in 15 years.

That is why TNT is making a big deal out of showcasing the movie Sunday at 5 p.m. Michael and brother Patrick Wayne will host the airing.

Produced under Wayne’s Batjac banner, “McLintock” is one of a handful of films for which the company retained the rights.

The others include “Hondo,” “The High and the Mighty” and “Island in the Sky,” all starring the Duke.

During the past couple of years, “Hondo” and “McLintock” finally made it to video, and Michael has plans to release the other ones eventually. But it won’t be easy.

“Several years ago the negatives suffered water damage,” he said.

Since then, Michael and company have been going through an extensive restoration process with the film.

Once restoration is complete on “The High and the Mighty,” Wayne will handle the film like he has the others. It will air only periodically on television and will show up on video.