Was good old Andy blind or

didn't he check the rushes for the (supposed) climatic fight scene ?

Quite frankly, the Duke didn't take much part in the gunfights - one shoot at the beginning -, and when the final gunfight occured, we didn't see him for about 20 minutes as all was focused on Billy and friends trapped in the shop. So, when John Wayne finally saddled up to help his friends, we could expect him to take part in gunfight and action at last. But instead of that, we were served with a cheesie fisfight scene between Duke and Forrest Tucker. The stunt doubles were so obvious, it was embarrassing. For instance, when good Chuck Robertson falls down the stairs and you see Duke get up straight in front of the camera, you can't help but imagine John Wayne lying down under the camera waiting for Chuck to fall. That looks so ridiculous. John Wayne hated that scene. So how could Mac Laglen miss something so obvious ? For it's hard to imagine that if he seriously watched the rushes, he would have been OK with such a ridiculous scene.