Words and Music is a 1929 American musical comedy film, directed by James Tinling,
and starring Lois Moran, David Percy, Helen Twelvetrees, and Frank Albertson. I
t was written by Andrew Bennison with story by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan and Jack Edwards.
Released by Fox Film Corporation, the film is notable as the first
in which John Wayne is credited as "Duke Morrison."
Wayne was also credited as "Duke Morrison"
as a property assistant in the Art Department.
Ward Bond, Wayne’s lifelong good friend, also had a bit part in the movie.
Duke is credited as Duke Morrison in this one,
but it was a bland production,
which for Duke was just a bread winner, rather than
a career move!
He was cast in a minor role as a student Pete ,
vying for the top prize and the love interest.
He danced with Lois Moran,
and received his first screen credit.
Having said that though,
it once again helped to cement
the relationship with John Ford,
who wasn't the director, but influential at Fox.
He grew friends with George O'Brien,
who later helped Duke get a part in
Rough Romance
Duke said
QuoteThanks to my friendship with George O'Brien...
I was made to feel I belonged to the lot...
I loved going to work at the studio.
I felt this was my life, my future.
User Review
QuoteDisplay MoreA Law Student Turned Actor
5 February 2004 | by Single-Black-Male (London, England)
Believe it or not, John Wayne wanted to become a lawyer before
John Ford persuaded him to act in films full time.
This bland production only furnished Wayne with pocket money
rather than advancing his career. Nevertheless,
it did establish a life-long relationship between the two men.