 Darryl F. Zanuck (qv) was quoted in an interview as saying that he  didnt think much of actors forming their own production companies,  citing _Alamo, The (1960)_ (qv), produced by John Wayne (I) (qv),  as a failure of such ventures. Wayne found out about this interview  before being approached by Zanuck, and refused to appear in the film  unless he was paid $250,000 for his role (when the other famous  actors were being paid $25,000). Wayne got his requested salary.