When an actor gets pigeon-holed as an action star, it becomes very difficult to shake that title. You are deemed bankable more for your screen presence, physical attributes and ability to run from explosions, rather than your thespian skills. Most action stars are not known for their acting chops. That is why it always baffles the mind when these movie tough guys decide in starring in a flat out comedy instead of their usual mind-numbing brand of cops 'n robbers thrills. Comedy takes a certain set of skills, and sometimes even the most brilliant of comic actors have had difficulty tackling this genre. But why do action stars, known for spending most of their previous screen credits running around with guns and spouting witty one liners, think that doing comedy would be a good idea? Here are 10 movies which show why action movie stars should not attempt comedy.
10. John Wayne - North To Alaska (196o)
John Wayne, The Duke, was always known as one of Hollywood's very first action stars and one of the biggest box office draws of his generation. He made over 150 movies in his career and the majority of them were shoot em up westerns, with serious personal or political undertones (Stagecoach, The Searchers, The Shootist). In 1960, Wayne starred in another western, this time with a biting comedy edge, North To Alaska. Set during the 1900 gold rush in Alaska, Wayne and his bumbling partners (Stewart Granger and teen idol Fabian) strike it rich amongst the panhandlers and comedy ensues. There are a handful of scenes in the film where Wayne and his partners ham it up for the camera, one scene in particular has all 3 men wooing over the French ingenue in the film (Capucine), The Duke sets up Fabian for a world of embarrassment as he confesses his undying love for the leading lady. Although the film was well received at the time, John Wayne seems out of place in his role and the majority of his comedic delivery is subjected to stiff and flat facial expressions and reactions from his co-stars. Even the innovative TV comedian Ernie Kovacs who plays a snide claim jumper can't seem to pump any life into this unsophisticated comedy western.