The Shootist Trivia Quiz

Answer: J. B. Books

The lone rider is J.B. Books (John Wayne), a notorious aging gunfighter, also known as a shootist. As he rides along, he encounters a man on foot who points a shotgun at him demanding his wallet. Books then reaches inside his coat and says, "Yes sir! A little somthin' extra!" as he pulls out a small gun, that he keeps inside his wallet, and shoots the would-be robber in the stomach! Classic Duke!

Answer: Buys a newspaper

J.B. Books buys a local newspaper. As he's reading it, while still astride his horse, a milk delivery wagon pulls up. A very belligerent man tells him to move out of the way, insulting Books and, in a roundabout way, threatening to shoot him. Books is not intimidated, but moves out of the way. He then dares the man to try and draw on him. The man laughs and drives on.

Answer: Carson City

As J.B. Books rides into town, we soon see a horse drawn streetcar with the sign "Carson City Traction" on the side. Carson City is a town that appears to be on the forefront of progress, at least as far as the Old West is concerned. They have the streetcar (soon to be electrified), water works, telephones, electric lights and a street-paving program.

Answer: Cancer

J.B. Books comes to Carson City specifically to see this doctor. He had saved Books' life a few years back, so he trusted him to confirm or deny what another doctor had told him back in Colorado.

Answer: He doesn't know

When Books asks the doctor (superbly portrayed by the late Jimmy Stewart) how long he has, he tells him that it could be, "Two months...six weeks...less, there's no way to tell". He later tells Books (upon Books insisting) that the end will be very painful.

Answer: Boarding House

Books finds lodging at a widow's boarding house that is recommended to him by the doctor. It is a quite modern home. It has a telephone, electric lights and indoor plumbing.

Answer: William Hickok

When she presses him for his name, he tells her he is William Hickok, a U.S. Marshall in Abilene, Kansas. It appears that she had never heard of Wild Bill before. She later learns his true identity from her son Gillom. She is outraged and calls the City Marshall (wonderfully portrayed by Harry Morgan) to have him removed, but Books refuses to leave.

After he informs her that he's dying, she reluctantly agrees to let him stay, offering all the help she can give him.

Answer: Mrs. Rogers

We later learn her first name is Bond. On being informed of this by her, J.B. Books replies, "That's a cracker jack of a name for a woman!"

Answer: No

In the opening narration we learn that he is not. In fact, at one time he was a lawman. It was his fame for being a superior gunfighter that led to so many men always being after him. He had a credo that went, "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them".

This no doubt led to his killing of thirty men.

Answer: Yes

Books decides to face down three men who want to kill him, knowing that this will likely end his life. No doubt he'd contemplated the doctor's words, "I would not die a death like the one I just described...not if I had your courage". Although he's wounded in the gunfight, he kills all three. It is the bartender, who shoots him in the back with a shotgun, who ends his life.