Stagecoach Starring John Wayne

The Story
The plot of Stagecoach centers on the interactions of a group of people onboard a stagecoach from Arizona Territory to Lordsburg in New Mexico Territory. The group includes Dallas (portrayed by Claire Trevor), a woman of ill repute; Lucy Mallory (Louise Platt), the wife of a cavalry officer; Doc Boone (Thomas Mitchell), a drunkard who has lost his physician's license; and Samuel Peacock (Donald Meek), a whiskey salesman.

A cavalry unit led Lt. Blanchard (Tim Holt) decides to escort the stagecoach because of the danger of an attack by Geronimo. Banker and embezzler Henry Gatewood (Berton Churchill) and gambler Hatfield (John Carradine) also board the stagecoach as it heads out of town. Stagecoach driver Buck (Andy Devine) is joined by Marshal Curly Wilcox, who is on the lookout for a fugitive outlaw, the Ringo Kid (John Wayne). Wilcox is concerned that the Ringo Kid has sworn to get even with Luke Plummer (Tom Tyler) for killing the Kid's brother and father.

The Ringo Kid joins the assortment of characters on the stagecoach when his horse goes lame. The Kid takes a liking to Dallas, and asks her to marry him. A chase by Apaches, a cavalry charge, and a shootout between the Ringo Kid and Plummer all add to the action of Stagecoach. Oh, and Mrs. Mallory goes into labor and gives birth on the way to Lordsburg.

The Cast
Stagecoach featured a talented cast, in addition to John Wayne. Claire Trevor, who actually received top billing in Stagecoach, appeared with Wayne in another 1939 film, Allegheny Uprising, and in Dark Command in 1940. She received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the 1954 film, Key Largo

Thomas Mitchell received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Doc Boone in Stagecoach. Charactor actor Andy Devine appeared in several John Ford films, and in several films with John Wayne. Noted actor John Carradine appeared in a total of 10 John Ford films.

Stagecoach presented some outstanding stuntwork by stuntman Yakima Canutt, a friend and colleague of John Wayne who appeared in several films with Wayne.

Behind the Scenes
Stagecoach marked John Ford's transition from directing silent Western movies to sound Westerns. He went on to direct many more Westerns, several of which starred Wayne, such Fort Apache, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Rio Grande, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

Executive producer for Stagecoach was Walter Wanger, whose career also included such films as Foreign Correspondent, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and I Want to Live! The screenplay, based on a story by Ernest Haycox, was prepared by noted writers Dudley Nichols and Ben Hecht. Bert Glennon was in charge of cinematography for Stagecoach.

When the Screen Director's Playhouse radio program debuted on January 9, 1949, the first show featured a radio adaptation of Stagecoach. Director John Ford appeared on the air to introduce the presentation.

The actors in the radio version of Stagecoach included John Wayne in one of his rare radio appearances, as well as Claire Trevor and Ward Bond.

John Wayne appeared on the Screen Director's Playhouse once more in 1949, in a radio adaptation of Fort Apache.