Becoming John Wayne explores the early westerns of John Wayne, from his first starring role in the 1930 epic The Big Trail through his breakthrough role as the Ringo Kid in John Ford’s 1939 classic Stagecoach. This book argues that it was during these 1930s westerns that Marion Michael Morrison transformed from a prop man for the movie studios into the John Wayne film persona that became world famous. He did that by using the decade to improve his acting skills, developing his ability to handle stunts, and becoming an expert horseman.