John Wayne Centennial Birthday Celebrated in Newport Beach

Star-Studded Events and Screenings Honor
"The Duke's" Centennial Birthday

The Official John Wayne Centennial Celebration, a highlighted feature of the 8th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival, (April 19-29, 2007) will pay homage to the larger-than-life figure who would turn 100 this year.

Newport Beach, the place John Wayne called home, will honor “the Duke” with a larger-than-life celebration of his 100th birthday.  In collaboration with Wayne Enterprises, the city of Newport Beach will pay homage to its most famous long-time resident and his 50-year film career with “Ten Decades of ‘The Duke.’”

Sparkling with 25 square miles of water, seven pristine beaches and endless attractions, Newport Beach claims responsibility for Wayne’s stellar film career. As a youth, Marion Morrison was injured bodysurfing at the infamous “Wedge” off Balboa Pier, forced to quit his USC football career, and chose to pursue a career in acting. Soon John Wayne became a globally recognized icon. Wayne called Newport Beach his home for years and indeed his yacht Wild Goose, a former minesweeper, is stilled moored in the city to this day.

Newport Beach Film Festival

The internationally recognized Newport Beach Film Festival, held in a sophisticated yet charming Southern California seaside setting, hosted the world debut of Oscar-winning “Crash” in 2005 and has more than 350 films from around the world scheduled in this year’s line up. Glamorous premiers, star-studded galas and yacht parties will surround a variety of feature films, shorts, documentaries and animations, complemented by screening of some of Wayne’s most famous films including his Academy Award-winning performance in “True Grit” (1969).  Co-stars, filmmakers and contemporaries will make personal appearances and rare footage and photos will be shown to the expected 35,000 attendees from around the world. For more information about the festival line up and tickets visit the Newport Beach Film Festival website now.

Just in time for the 100th anniversary commemorations, John Wayne will enter cyberspace in March 2007 with the first ever official fan club and Web site at www.JohnWayne.com. More information about John Wayne Centennial Birthday festivities can be found at this site.

Newport Beach Film Festival Hotel Packages

The AAA Five Diamond Island Hotel is offering travel packages to festival-goers that include: accommodations and four general screening tickets per night for $295 per room, per night.*

The Island Hotel serves as host of the kick-off black-tie gala on Saturday, April 21, which will debut the “John Wayne Courage Award,” presented for the first time in history to honor noted individuals who have blazed their own trails in the diverse fields of the arts, media, humanities or sports. 

The elegant Balboa Bay Club and Resort.  The Resort will offer a Newport Beach Film Festival Bed and Breakfast Package that includes breakfast for two and valet parking.**

The Balboa Bay Club & Resort will serve as home to an art show, original prop and costume displays, a scholarly film and a closing gala fundraiser in support of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation (www.jwcf.org) on April 28.

The Radisson Hotel in Newport Beach will offer a Friday-Saturday rate of $109.00 and Monday-Thursday rate of $139.00.  The Fairmont Newport Beach will offer a Junior Suite with private balcony, welcome amenity and access to Fairmont Gold Lounge for $299 plus taxes. See all Newport Beach Vacation Packages now.

About Newport Beach

Situated on California’s most beautiful stretch of coastline and less than an hour from Hollywood, Newport Beach has been a celebrity haunt since Bogey and Bacall made it their stomping grounds in the 1940’s.  Today the city combines its chic aura with a classic Americana-vibe that welcomes sophisticates, families and anyone in need of relaxation to its sunny shores. 

For more information about the Newport Beach Film Festival, or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.newportbeachfilmfest.com/.