The horse that J. B. Books, played by John Wayne, rides in The Shootist, and gives to Gillom — Dollar (Ol’ Dollar) – had been the actor’s favorite horse for 10 years.
The horse shown during the final scene of True Grit, directed by Henry Hathaway and Wayne’s Oscar winning film, was Dollar, a two-year-old in 1969.
Wayne had Dollar, a chestnut Quarter Horse gelding, written into the script, because of his love for the horse. In fact, some say it was a condition for him working on the project. Wayne would not let anyone else ride him, while he was alive.
Robert Wagner rode the horse in a segment of the Hart to Hart TV show, but this was after Wayne’s death.
The Shootist, beautifully directed by Don Siegel, in 1976, turned out to be a most suitable swan song for Wayne’s half a century career.