Movies

John Wayne: 8 Movies the Western Legend Worked on Props for Before He Was Famous

Here's a list of 8 John Wayne movies where he served as a prop man before he managed to catch his big break into stardom.

by Jeff Nelson

Published on March 1, 2023

3 min read

Actor John Wayne starred in Western and war movies that filled his filmography. However, he didn’t initially get his start in front of the camera. First, Wayne worked at Fox in the props department on several films before getting his first leading role in Raoul Walsh’s 1930 Western adventure called The Big Trail. Here are the eight movies Wayne worked on in the props department before he was famous.

‘The Great K & A Train Robbery’ (1926)

'The Great K & A Train Robbery' Dorothy Dwan as Madge Cullen and Tom Mix as Tom Gordon looking at each other in a sepia image — L-R: Dorothy Dwan as Madge Cullen and Tom Mix as Tom Gordon | Fox

A detective poses as a bandit in an undercover mission to stop a streak of train robberies from continuing. Meanwhile, he falls in love with the railroad president’s daughter.

The Great K & A Train Robbery is a silent film directed by Lewis Seiler and written by John Stone from Paul Leicester Ford’s novel. It’s the first of the movies Wayne served as a property assistant on, but he also starred as an uncredited extra.

‘Mother Machree’ (1927)

'Mother Machree' Belle Bennett as Mother Machree with a child holding onto her. — Belle Bennett as Mother Machree | LMPC via Getty Images

An impoverished Irish immigrant finds work in America at a carnival, giving her son the opportunity to attend a prestigious school. However, the school expels him when its leadership discovers her line of work, so she gives her son to the principal and his wife to adopt to give him a better life.

John Ford directed Mother Machree from Gertrude Orr’s scenario and Rida Johnson Young’s story. Similar to other movies Wayne worked on at the time, he worked on both the props and played a small role as a bit player.

‘Four Sons’ (1928)

'Four Sons' Margaret Mann as Mother Bernle surrounded by men in uniforms holding her still, as she looks fearful — Margaret Mann as Mother Bernle | LMPC via Getty Images

A family saga depicts how the events of World War I tear them apart. Three sons of a Bavarian widow go to war fighting for Germany, while the fourth goes to America before the two countries became enemies.

Ford directed Four Sons, which was a war drama adapted by Philip Klein from I.A.R. Wylie’s story. The cast included James Hall, Margaret Mann, and Charles Morton. In addition to Wayne working on props, he starred in an uncredited role as an officer.

‘The Black Watch’ (1929)

'The Black Watch' Myrna Loy as Yasmani and Victor McLaglen as Capt. Donald Gordon King looking into a bright globe — L-R: Myrna Loy as Yasmani and Victor McLaglen as Capt. Donald Gordon King | LMPC via Getty Images

At the break of World War I, a captain in the British Army’s Black Watch is tasked with a secret mission located in India. However, the assignment resulted in his fellows thinking of him as a coward, which becomes increasingly apparent.

Ford directed The Black Watch, a Pre-Code adventure epic written by John Stone and James Kevin McGuinness based on Talbot Mundy’s novel. Wayne worked in props, but he also worked as an extra as a 42nd Highlander.

‘Words and Music’ (1929)

'Words and Music' Lois Moran as Mary Brown, David Percy as Phil Denning, and Frank Albertson as Skeet Mulroy. Mulroy holding a saxophone while Mary and Phil look at him. — L-R: Lois Moran as Mary Brown, David Percy as Phil Denning, and Frank Albertson as Skeet Mulroy | LMPC via Getty Images

Two college students named Phil and Pete compete for Mary’s love. Meanwhile, they also take part in a songwriting contest for the annual revue.

Words and Music was directed by James Tinling from a story written by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan and Jack McEdwards. It starred Lois Moran, Tom Patricola, and David Percy in this music comedy feature film. Words and Music was the first film where Wayne earned a credit as “Duke Morrison” as a property assistant.

‘Born Reckless’ (1930)

'Born Reckless' Marguerite Churchill as Rosa Beretti and Edmund Lowe as Louis Beretti smiling as he holds onto her leg. — L-R: Marguerite Churchill as Rosa Beretti and Edmund Lowe as Louis Beretti | LMPC via Getty Images

A gangster tries to pull off a jewelry heist, but he gets caught in the process. The judge overseeing his case sentences him to serve in the war in a political move. After the gangster survives, he returns home to open a club, but he maintains his connections with crime.

Ford directed a screenplay written by Dudley Nichols based on Donald Henderson Clarke’s novel. It starred Edmund Lowe, Catherine Dale Owen, and William Harrigan, along with Wayne in an uncredited role as a soldier, in addition to working with props.

‘Rough Romance’ (1930)

'Rough Romance' Helen Chandler as Marna Reynolds and George O'Brien as Billy West looking at each other on a poster. — L-R: Helen Chandler as Marna Reynolds and George O’Brien as Billy West | LMPC via Getty Images

Set in Cascade Mountains of Oregon, two men fight over the affection of a young woman.

A.F. Erickson and the uncredited Benjamin Stoloff directed 1930’s Rough Romance, which was based on Kenneth B. Clarke’s original story. The film stars George O’Brien, Helen Chandler, and Antonio Moreno. It’s another addition to the movies that Wayne with props, while also starring in a small role. This time, he played a lumberjack.

‘Cheer Up and Smile’ (1930)

'Cheer Up and Smile' lobbycard with dancers bowing down — LMPC via Getty Images

A young college boy agrees to stand in for a popular radio singer when they’re injured after a robbery. After his girlfriend recently broke up with him, he refuses to back down from proving all of the people wrong who doubted his success in life.

Cheer Up and Smile was directed by Sidney Lanfield from Richard Connell’s story and Howard J. Green’s adaptation. Arthur Lake, Dixie, Lee, and Olga Baclanova lead the cast, with Wayne appearing in another uncredited role, in addition to his job as a proper