The Big Trail

The Big Trail was a 1930 film starring John Wayne. Although the 23-year-old Wayne delivered a credible performance as wagon train scout Breck Coleman, the movie was a huge flop as it was released at the height of the Great Depression. It would take another nine years and Stagecoach to make Wayne a star. Legend has it that the director Raoul Walsh had co-star Tyrone Power, Sr. almost beaten to death for forcing himself on the leading lady, Marguerite Churchill. Power would die just a year later from a heart attack.

Related Topics:
1930 - John Wayne - ''Stagecoach'' - Raoul Walsh - Tyrone Power, Sr. - Marguerite Churchill - Heart attack

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The film was restored in the 1980s and re-released. Many new viewers wondered what audiences in 1930 had been thinking, since "The Big Trail" holds up very well given its age. The stage drive across the country was pioneering in its use of camerawork and the scenery from the epic landscape. An effort was made to lend authenticity to the movie, for example the wagons were drawn by oxen. Even the food supplies the emigrants carried with them was researched. Locations in 5 states were used in the movie caravan's 2000 mile trek. The movie was shot in both English and German (German-speaking leading men acted in the German vision). It was filmed in both 35 mm and in 70 mm Grandeur film, so there were two film crews.

Related Topics:
Oxen - 70 mm Grandeur film

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Filming began in April, 1930, but John Wayne, an unknown actor recently promoted from prop man, fell sick from dysentery and was nearly replaced as the lead.

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