http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/columnists/sfl-tvtj23qajan23,0,5438736.column
JICHA Q&A: Duke's movies missing

Q. John Wayne made many movies. Some of his early movies no longer exist but of his later movies, all are available except one and it happens to be one of his better ones, Island in the Sky. I read an article that the only copy suffered water damage in a flood. Was it ever restored and is it available? What happened to the copies shown in movies? A cult of Wayne admirers would like to know. -- J.M., Lady Lake

A. Actually, there are two Wayne movies never released to video -- Island in the Sky and The High and the Mighty (which elicited similar questions from other readers). The reason why has not been adequately explained. The Duke controlled the distribution rights to both and they went into his estate when he died. His son Michael has sold his father's memories to many endeavors but for some reason he chooses not to reveal, those two films have remained warehoused.