Pilar had become addicted to barbiturates, but Wayne had refused to admit her to a private sanitarium, believing he could help her overcome it on location in Louisiana. However, during filming, his wife began hallucinating and even slashed her wrists with a razor. At this point, Duke realised he needed to admit her to the hospital back in Encino, California. Incredibly, this incident was kept out of the newspapers.
Meanwhile, back on The Horse Soldiers set, three actors including Ford’s son Patrick suffered broken legs. But the ultimate tragedy came when filming the movie’s climactic battle scene.
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