“The Duke.” (photo by Rance Collins)

Certainly few personalities have had a greater impact on Los Angeles than the legendary western icon John Wayne, even if his films were rarely specifically centered in the modern-day metropolis. As one of the top box office stars ever – Quigly’s annual survey placed him as a top 10 money-making actor for a record 25 years – The Duke certainly kept sound stages in operation for decades. His films, too, have enjoyed continued popularity among film fans, and titles such as “The Searchers” and “Stagecoach” are often ranked among the greatest ever made.

Wayne died in 1979, and just a few years later, his figure was permanently erected outside of the Great Western Savings and Loan Bank building in Beverly Hills located at 8484 Wilshire Blvd. The mammoth bronze sculpture, according to Public Art in Public Places, was originally brightly painted and rotated, that way passersby could take in Wayne atop his trusty horse in every possible direction.

The only problem was that Wayne was too distracting. A reported uptick in traffic collisions and disturbances led to a halt to the statue’s rotation. Additionally, its multi-colored glory was transformed to its native, subdued dark bronze. Not nearly as striking, perhaps, but a heck of a lot safer.

Later, Larry Flynt bought the building, although not the statue, which – according to Atlas Obscura – has at times been targeted for removal, but that has never gone too far. Taking out the near two-story high sculpture, after all, would be a gargantuan task, one a team of cowboys might not even be able to accomplish.