Wagon Train

This article is about the TV series. For the train of animal powered vehicles, seeWagon train.For other uses, seeWagon train (disambiguation).

Wagon Train
Also known as	Major Adams, Trailmaster Trailmaster
Genre	Western
Starring	Ward Bond Robert Horton John McIntire Robert Fuller Michael Burns Frank McGrath Terry Wilson Scott Miller
Theme music composer	Jack Brooks Sammy Fain Jerome Moross Henri René Stanley Wilson
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No.of seasons	8
No.of episodes	284(list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Howard Christie Richard Lewis
Producers	Howard Christie Richard Lewis Frederick Shorr
Running time	60 minutes (1957–63; 1964–65) 90 minutes (1963–64)
Production companies	Revue Studios(seasons 1–6) Universal Television(seasons 7–8)
Original release
Network	NBC(1957–62) ABC(1962–65)
Release	September 18, 1957(1957-09-18)– May 2, 1965(1965-05-02)
Related
Wagon Master The Big Trail

Wagon Trainis an AmericanWestern television seriesthat aired for eight seasons, first on theNBCtelevision network (1957–1962) and then onABC(1962–1965).Wagon Traindebuted on September 18, 1957 and reached the top of theNielsen ratings.It is the fictional adventure story of a large westboundwagontrain through theAmerican frontierfromMissouritoCalifornia.Its format attracted famous guest stars for each episode appearing as travelers or residents of the settlements that the regular cast encountered.The show initially starred supporting film actorWard Bondas the wagon master (replaced after his death in 1960 byJohn McIntire) andRobert Hortonas the scout (eventually replaced byRobert Fuller).

The series was inspired by the 1950 filmWagon Masterand the 1930 earlywidescreenfilmThe Big Trail,both featuring Bond.

The series influenced the development ofStar Trek,pitched as "Wagon Trainto the stars "and launched in 1966.

Overview

Robert HortonandWard Bond

Robert Horton as Flint McCullough

Robert Fulleras Cooper Smith

John McIntireas Chris Hale

1962 cast. Top: John McIntire, Terry Wilson. Bottom:Scott Miller,Frank McGrath.

Back row:Robert Fuller,John McIntire, Terry Wilson. Front row:Michael Burns,Frank McGrath.

The series chronicles the adventures of awagon trainfromSt. Joseph, Missouri,across theplainsof theMidwestern United Statesand theRocky MountainstoSacramento,California.It features the trials of the series regulars, who conducted the train through the American West.

Episodes revolve around the stories of guest characters portraying members of the massive wagon train or encountered by it. Many starring roles were played by already famous actors such asErnest Borgnine,Bette Davis,Jane Wyman,Ronald Reagan,Lee Marvin,andJoseph Cotten.Episode titles routinely emphasize the guest characters, such as "The Willy Moran Story" and "The Echo Pass Story".

As a favor to Ward Bond, film director John Ford joined the show to direct a 1960 segment titled "The Colter Craven Story",which includes many members of the" John Ford Stock Company ", momentarily featuringJohn Waynespeaking from the shadows and billed in the credits as "Michael Morris".

Cast

The regular cast includes:

• Ward Bondas wagon master Major Seth Adams (1957–61, seasons 1–4). Bond died of a heart attack in the middle of the fourth season, and was replaced by John McIntire as wagon master. No explanation was ever given on the show.
• Robert Hortonas scout Flint McCullough (1957–62, seasons 1–5).
• John McIntireas Christopher Hale (1961–65, seasons 4–8), replacing Bond as wagon master upon Bond's death. McIntire had guest starred in a Season 3 episode in the role of preacher Andrew Hale, apparently Christopher's brother according to a reference made by Christopher later in the series.
• Robert Fulleras scout Cooper Smith (1963–65, seasons 7–8) replacing the McCullough character after Robert Horton left the series. Fuller had previously played a lead in the Western seriesLaramieand physically resembled Horton. Fuller and McIntire rotated top billing from week to week on the series. Fuller even shared the same birthday as Horton, albeit nine years apart.
• Frank McGrathas cook Charlie Wooster (1957–65, seasons 1–8), one of only two regulars to last the entire series.
• Terry Wilsonas Bill Hawks (1957–65, seasons 1–8), was one of only two regulars to last the entire series.
• Michael Burnsas Barnaby West (1960–65, seasons 6–8).
• Scott Miller(aka; Denny Miller) as Duke Shannon (1961–64, seasons 4–7).
• Chick Hannanin various roles (1957–65, seasons 1–8), mostly as a wagon train member.

In the first four seasons Ward Bond wasbilledabove Robert Horton in the opening credits. In season five Horton rotated top billing with relative newcomer John McIntire, a practice which subsequently continued with McIntire and Robert Fuller rotating top billing from episode to episode when Fuller joined the series in the seventh season.

During the sixth season, Horton had left and Fuller had not yet replaced him, so McIntire carried the show with the supporting cast. Neither Bond nor McIntire, both veterans of dozens of supporting roles in movies, routinely had a leading role in theatrical films, although Bond did in at least oneB-picture.Rivals Bond and Horton frequently quarreled on the set, an extensively publicized development at the time, while their characters disputed within the episodes.According to Scott Eyman in his biography of John Wayne, Bond's jealousy of Horton was fueled by Horton receiving more fan mail. Eyman stated Bond would try to limit Horton's screen time and interfere with any good lines Horton might be given in the scripts. They eventually reconciled shortly before Bond's death.

Guest stars

• Claude Akinsappeared in four episodes during the show's first four seasons.
• Anna Maria Alberghetticarried the lead in "The Conchita Vasquez Story" (1959), cast as part of a gang ofComancheroswho intend to attack the wagon train to steal rifles headed to theUnited States Army.Conchita decides to leave the Comancheros and move west after she falls in love with the scout Flint McCullough, but she is killed by a bullet from her own people when they ambush the wagon train.
• Eddie Albertappeared as Kurt Davos in the 1962 episode "The Kurt Davos Story" as a blacksmith forced to leave the train by a crippling injury.
• Roscoe Atesappeared in the 1958 episode "The Sacramento Story" in his later familiar role of "Old Timer".
• Parley Baerappeared in three episodes in different seasons, usually as a disgruntled passenger.
• Carla Balendaappeared as Martha Leeds in "The Annie Duggan Story" (1963), credited as Sally Bliss.
• Martin Balsamappeared as Marcey Jones in the 1964 episode "The Whipping".
• Trevor Bardette,as Will Rudge in "The Levi Hale Story" (1962), as Sheriff Lund in "The Lily Legend Story" and as Henry Ludlow in "The Antone Rose Story" (both 1963).
• William Bendix,in the second season, played a sea captain who had shanghaied Adams and Wooster in "Around the Horn".
• Charles BickfordandRoger Smith,five months before Smith was cast on77 Sunset Strip,appear in "The Daniel Barrister Story", which aired on 16 April 1958 (Season 1, Episode 29). In this segment, Daniel Barrister, played by Bickford, objects to medical treatment for his wife, Jenny, the victim of a wagon accident. Meanwhile, Dr. Peter H. Culver, played by Smith, has successfully fought asmallpoxepidemic in a nearby town. He is brought to the wagon train by scout Flint McCullough to treat Mrs. Barrister. Viewers never know if Barrister yielded to allow Dr. Culver to treat Jenny.
• Theodore Bikelappeared in "The Dr. Denker Story", season five, episode 14, in the role of a traveling musician who is transporting a mysterious shipment ofdynamiteto San Francisco for the United States Army.
• Ernest Borgnineappeared five times onWagon Train,including twice as "Willy Moran" (albeit for only a few moments in Moran's second appearance). In the pilot episode on 18 September 1957, Borgnine's Moran is revealed as a former boxer consumed by alcoholism but seeking sobriety.Michael Winkelmanguest starred as young "Ben Palmer" in this episode, as he was beginning his regular role as Little Luke McCoy on ABC'sThe Real McCoys.On 1 October 1958, Borgnine reprised the role of Willy Moran in the episode "Around the Horn". Major Adams had fought with Moran at theBattle of Gettysburg.
• Neville Brandappeared in "The Zebedee Titus Story" in 1964 as an aging pioneer who joins the wagon train as a scout.
• Henry Brandonappeared six times, most notably in "The St. Nicholas Story" (1959).
• John Carradineappeared in supporting roles in the 1958 episode. "The Dora Gray Story", and the 1960 episode, "The Colter Craven Story".
• Lon Chaney Jr.appeared as Louis Roque in "The Jose Morales Story", Season 4, episode 5 (1960), and in the 1961 episode, "The Chalice", as Carstairs.
• Jan ClaytonandBeulah Bondihighlight "The Prairie Story", written by Jean Holloway, which examines how the forbidden prairie, particularly the strong wind, plays havoc on the lives of the women on the wagon train. This theme is also examined in the novelThe WindbyDorothy Scarborough.Robert Horton carries the lead in this episode that aired on 1 February 1961, three months after the death of Ward Bond.
• Jeanne Cooperguest stars in an episode titled "The Whipping" shown during season 7 (1963–64) of Wagon Train.
• Lou Costelloappeared as the title character in one of his last roles, "The Tobias Jones Story" (1958). It was written byHarry Von Zell,the announcer and comedian from theBurns and Allentelevision series, who also appears in that episode. Von Zell also appears in the 1964 episode "The Link Cheney Story".
• Walter Coy,one of the narrators of the 1955-56Frontieranthology serieson NBC, appeared five times onWagon Trainbetween 1957 and 1964.
• Child actorJohnny Crawfordappeared in "The Sally Potter Story" (1958).
• Yvonne Craigguest-starred in "The Link Cheney Story" (1964).
• Henry Daniellappeared twice in "The Christine Elliott Story" (1960) and the two-parter "Trial for Murder" (1960).
• Ronnie Dapo,then achild actor,appeared in the episode "The Greenhorn Story". He was later a regular onRoom for One MoreandThe New Phil Silvers Show.
• Linda Darnellguest starred in "The Dora Gray Story" (29 January 1958) as an attractive young woman trying to reach San Francisco. Dora is traveling west with an unsavory peddler, played byJohn Carradine,who is selling guns to the Indians. Robert Horton carries this episode, withMike ConnorsandDan Blockerportraying corrupt U.S. Army officers.
• Bette Davisappeared in three episodes as different characters; as Bettina May (1961), Ella Lindstrom (1959) and Madame Elizabeth McQueeney (1959).
• Laraine Dayplayed the title character in "The Cassie Vance Story" (1963).
• William Demarestappeared in "The Christopher Hale Story" (1961).
• Frank Dekovaplays the lead in "The Isaiah Quickfox Story" (31 January 1965), a mystery set in a ghost town amid a stunning bat cave.Andrew PrineandJohn Doucetteguest star in the roles of Eric Camden and Bert Enders, respectively. Cast members Robert Fuller and Frank McGrath carry this episode.
• Andy Devineappeared in the 1959 episode "The Jess MacAbbee Story".
• Angie Dickinsonportrays the lead role in "The Clara Duncan Story" (1959).
• John Doucetteplayed the title characters in the 1963 episode, "The Michael McGoo Story" as a retired sea captain, and the 1964 episode, "The Ben Engel Story", as well as supporting roles in six other episodes.
• Charles Drakeplayed the title characters in the 1958 episode, "The Charles Maury Story" as an ex-Confederate marauder, and the 1960 episode, "The Sam Livingston Story" as a wagon driver with bitter memories, and the 1963 episode, "The Hollister John Garrison Story" as a Southerner with a desperate secret, and the 1964 episode, "The Link Cheney Story" as a wounded gambler hoping to retire, and supporting roles in two other episodes.

Guest starsDan DuryeaandJane Wymanwith John McIntire, 1962

• Dan Duryeamade seven appearances on the series, his first role being that of the title character in "The Cliff Grundy Story", broadcast on 25 December 1957. Cliff Grundy, an old friend of Flint McCullough, joins with the Wagon Train in time for a buffalo hunt. After an accident, Cliff and Flint are stranded in the wild, trying to survive until they can reach a small town. This was one of Dan Duryea's rare "sympathetic" roles, and one that he would reprise for the final Wagon Train episode of the same season.In his fourth appearance on Wagon Train, he played a mentally unstable man obsessed by demons and superstitions in "The Bleymier Story", broadcast 16 November 1960, eleven days after the death of Ward Bond. Samuel Bleymier opposes the interest shown to his daughter, Belle, portrayed byElen Willard,by a young pioneer, Justin Claiborne, played byJames Drury,some two years before the start of hisThe Virginianseries. The episode is filmed mostly in the dark or during heavy rains, high winds and a cyclone, and involves pioneers passing through aSiouxburial ground.
• Jena Engstromappeared three times. In 1961 she was featured in "The Jenna Douglas Story" with guest starCarolyn Jones.In 1962 she was featured in "The Amos Billings Story", guest-starring Paul Fix. And in 1964 she appeared in support ofJoseph Wisemanin "The Santiago Quesada Story".
• Glenda Farrellappeared in the 1959 episode "The Jess MacAbbee Story" as Andy Devine's character's wife.
• Ron Fosterappeared twice in the 1957 episodes "The John Cameron Story" and "The Julia Gage Story".
• Rhonda Flemingappeared three times. In the 1958 episode "The Jennifer Churchill Story", in the 1961 episode "The Patience Miller Story" and in the 1963 episode "The Sandra Cummings Story".
• Med Florywas cast as Sheriff Gile in "The Nancy Palmer Story", withAudrey Meadowsin the guest-starring role (1961).
• Nina Fochappeared as the title character in "The Clara Beauchamp Story".
• Louise Fletcherappeared as different characters in two Season 3 episodes.
• Eduard Franzappeared in the lead in 1957 in "The Les Rand Story", andJames Philbrookhad a minor role in the same episode.
• Kathleen Freemanappeared in five different episodes, usually as the embodiment of ignorance or intolerance.
• Annette Funicelloappeared in "The Sam Pulaski Story" (Nov. 1963)
• George Gobelappeared as Major Adams' country cousin in "The Horace Best Story", the Season 4 premiere episode.
• Don Gradyappeared in "The Christine Elliot Story" (1960).
• Lorne Greeneappeared in "The Vivian Carter Story" (1959).
• Tom Greenwayappeared as Dr. Quinn in "The Dan Hogan Story" (1958).
• Kevin Hagenappeared four times onWagon Trainas Lansing in "The Willy Moran Story" (1957) and as Claymore in "The Nels Stack Story" (1957) and "The Annie MacGregory Story" (1958) and as Ed Prentiss in "The Silver Lady" (1965).
• Sessue Hayakawaappeared as the title character in "The Sakae Ito Story" (1958).
• Peter Helmappeared three times onWagon Trainin 1962 and 1963: "The Daniel Clay Story", "The Wagon Train Mutiny", and in the title role "The Tom O'Neal Story", withMyron Healeycast as his father.
• Dwayne Hickmanappeared in the title guest-starring role in "The Clay Shelby Story" in December 1964.Celia Kayeplayed Ann Shelby, andRichard CarlsonandMort Millswere cast as military officers.
• Darby Hinton,achild actor,appeared in March 1964 as Benjie Diel in the 75-minute episode "The Ben Engel Story".
• Dennis Holmes,another child actor, appeared three times onWagon Train,including the role of Danny Blake in "Those Who Stay Behind", along withPeter BrownandBruce Dern(8 November 1964).
• Dennis Hopperappeared as the title character in "The Emmett Lawton Story" as the crippled son of the murdered sheriff in a town taken over by outlaws, March 1963.
• Rodolfo Hoyos Jr.,as Padre in "The Don Alvarado Story", 21 June 1961, withEd Nelsonas Sheriff Donovan
• Sherry Jacksonappeared as the title character in "The Geneva Balfour Story", which was originally broadcast on 20 January 1964.
• Anne Jeffreysand her husband,Robert Sterling,play a couple with an unusual "half-marriage" courtship arrangement brought about by an attack of fever in the episode "The Julie Gage Story", the fourteenth episode of the series broadcast on 18 December 1957.
• Brad JohnsonandSusan Oliverin the title role appear in the 9 November 1960, episode "The Cathy Eckhardt Story", with Johnson cast as Will Eckhardt.
• I. Stanford Jolleyappeared ten times, but not in the lead role of an episode.

Carolyn Jonesin a 1961 appearance

• Carolyn Jonesappeared during the show's first four episodes, also as the title characters in "The Jenna Douglas Story" (1961) as a traumatized woman found by the wagon train, and in "The Molly Kincaid Story" (1963) as an escaped captive of the Indians intent on punishing the husband who abandoned her.
• Dick Joneswas cast as John Hunter in "The Wagon Train Mutiny" (1962).
• J. M. Kerriganappeared in "The St. Nicholas Story" (1959).
• Brett Kingappeared five times onWagon Train,his last as a lieutenant in "The Sandra Cummings Story" (1963).
• Charles Laughtonappeared as Albert Farnsworth in "The Albert Farnsworth Story". (1960)
• Linda Lawsonguest starred in "Princess of a Lost Tribe" (1960).
• Art Linkletterappeared as the title character in "The Sam Darland Story" (1962).
• Peter Lorreplayed the title character in "The Alexander Portlass Story" (March 1960).
• Dayton Lummisappeared in three episodes: as Maj. Barham in "The Martha Barham Story" (NBC, 1959), as T.J. Gingle in "The John Turnbull Storey" (NBC, 1962), and as the Rev. Philip Marshall in "The Myra Marshall Story" (ABC, 1963), withSuzanne Pleshettein the title role.
• Lee Marvinappeared as Mexican bandit Jose Morales in the Season 4 episode "The Jose Morales Story". After 20 episodes he appeared as newly hired wagonmaster Jud Benedict in the Season 4 episode that introduced the Chris Hale character, "The Christopher Hale Story".
• Raymond Masseyguest starred in "Princess of a Lost Tribe" (1960).
• Mike Mazurkiappeared in "The Duncan McIvor Story" (1964).
• Tyler McVeyappeared six times onWagon Train,including a two-part 1960 episode "Trial for Murder".
• Audrey Meadowsplayed the title character in "The Nancy Palmer Story" (1961).
• Joyce Meadowsappeared three times: as Martha Williams in "The Conchita Vasquez Story" (1959), as Rheba Polke in "The Jed Polke Story" and as Melanie in "The Artie Matthewson Story" (both 1961).
• Ralph Meekerappeared in the title role of "A Man Called Horse" (season one, ep 26, trans 26 March 1958) in a story that served as the basis for theRichard HarrisfilmA Man Called Horse,a decade later.
• Burgess Meredithguest starred in "The Grover Allen Story" (1964).
• Vera Milesappeared three times onWagon Trainas the lead role in "The Sister Rita Story" (1959), as Janice Stuart in "The Bob Stuart Story" (1964) and as Anne Reed in "The Silver Lady" (1965).
• Ricardo Montalbánappeared as the title character in the second episode of the series, "The Jean LeBec Story".
• Archie Moore,African-American prizefighter, appeared as a cowboy in "The Geneva Balfour Story", which was originally broadcast on 20 January 1964.
• Read Morganappeared three times: as Ben Denike in "The Vincent Eaglewood Story" withWally Coxin the title role (1959), as Curly Horse in "The Martha Barham Story" withAnn Blyth(1959), and as Jake in "The Myra Marshall Story".
• Ed Nelsonguest stars in the episode "Alias Bill Hawks", a story of townspeople covering for a murder, and trying to dig a neededartesian well.Terry Wilson, as the real "Bill Hawks", arrives to put the puzzle together.
• Leslie Nielsenguest stars in "The Jeremy Dow Story".
• Leonard Nimoyappeared in four episodes-—twice as a Mexican, once as an Indian and once as one of three Spanish brothers.
• Susan Oliverguest starred in four episodes: "The Emily Rossiter Story" (1957), "The Maggie Hamilton Story" (1960), "The Cathy Eckhart Story" (1960) and "The Lily Legend Story" (1963).
• Prolific Western actorGregg Palmerappeared in three episodes: as Groton in "The Mary Halstead Story" (1957), as Paul Dawson in "The Riley Gratton Story" (1957) and as Raleigh in "The Jose Morales Story" (1960).
• Michael Parkswas cast as Hamish Browne in "The Heather and Hamish Story" with fellow guest starAnne Helm(1963), and as Michael Malone in "The Michael Malone Story", withJoyce Bulifant(1964).
• John Pickardappeared as Jed Otis in the 1959 episode "The Matthew Lowry Story".
• Ronald Reagan,in one of his final acting roles prior to his entering politics, played Captain Paul Winters in the seventh-season episode "The Fort Pierce Story", first broadcast in September 1963.
• Michael Rennieappeared in two episodes: "The John Cameron Story" (1957) and "The Robert Harrison Clarke Story" (1963).
• Cesar Romeroappeared in "The Honorable Don Charlie Story" (1958).
• Mickey Rooneyguest starred as "greenhorn" Samuel T. Evans in "The Greenhorn Story" (1959), and again as Samuel T. Evans with young wife Melanie (Olive Sturgess) in "Wagons Ho!", the 1960 season premiere.Ellen Corbyplayed the role of Aunt 'Em in both episodes. Sturgess in her role had to wear the lowest of heels so as not to tower over the 5'2 "Rooney.
• Pippa Scottguest-starred in "The Link Cheney Story" (1964).

Ann Sheridanin "The Mavis Grant Story", 1962

• Ann Sheridanguest-starred in "The Mavis Grant Story" (1962).
• Tom SimcoxandPaul Staderguest-starred in "The Link Cheney Story" (1964).
• Roger Smith - (see "Charles Bickford" earlier in the list)
• Arnold Stangplayed the lead in "The Ah Chong Story", the tale of an ebullient Chinese cook who joins the wagon train with a rickshaw. Ah Chong produces higher quality and more reliable food service than Charlie Wooster, who has become arrogant because of his success at poker playing. Ah Chong introduces wagonmaster Chris Hale and his assistant, Bill Hawks, tobird nest soup.Wooster soon sees Ah Chong as a threat in both cooking and poker, and hurls insults at him.Frank Fergusonplays a sheriff at the beginning of this episode, which aired near the end of the fourth season on 14 June 1961.
• Barbara Stanwyckappeared three times.
• Rod Steigerportrayed a blind doctor heading west in "The Saul Bevins Story" (1961). The other travelers object to his inclusion on the train because of the obstacles he must overcome.Vivi Janissplays his sister, Martha Bevins;Charles Herbert,his son Job Bevins. Janiss also appeared in five otherWagon Trainepisodes.
• Charles Stevensappeared twice in "The Nels Stack Story" (1957) and "The Mark Hanford Story" (1958).
• Dean Stockwellappeared in four episodes, including "The Rodney Lawrence Story" (10 June 1959), in which he portrays a young white man whose parents were massacred by other whites, and he is reared by a single Indian. The Indian urges Rodney to rejoin his people when the wagon train passes through the area, and soon after he joins the train he is accused of murder and theft. Scout Flint McCullough proves that Rodney is innocent, and he becomes attracted to a young white woman, Mandy McCreaCynthia Chenault.Roger Mobleyplays Lawrence as a child in a flashback.
• Karl Swensonplayed mountain manJim Bridgerin "The Jim Bridger Story".Francis De Salesalso appeared in the episode as Mark.
• Akim Tamiroffappeared in "The Joe Muharich Story" (1961).
• Phyllis Thaxterwas cast in the title role of "The Christine Elliott Story" (1960), in which a young woman takes a group of orphan-boys, who had previously lived in her late father's orphanage, to a new life in the West.Don GradyandGary Hunleyalso appear in this episode.
• Franchot Toneappeared in the lead role in "The Malachi Hobart Story" as a traveling preacher who loses confidence in his ownChristianmessage.
• Lee Van Cleefappeared in "The Jesse Cowan Story" (1958).
• Johnny Washbrookappeared as Tommy Peeks in "The Swift Cloud Story", with Rafael Campos in the 1959 title role, and as Ron Pearson in "The Beth Pearson Story", withVirginia Greyin the 1961 title role.

Ben Johnson,Harry Carey Jr.andWard BondinJohn Ford's feature film,Wagon Master(1950), one of the primary cinematic inspirations for the series. Ford dressed Bond identically to this, with the black hat and checkered shirt, in theWagon Trainepisode that Ford later directed titled "The Coulter Craven Story"featuring many regulars from Ford films, includingJohn Wayne.

• John Wayneappeared briefly, partly obscured by distance and shadow, in a long shot in the episode directed byJohn Ford,"The Coulter Craven Story",in which he portrays GeneralWilliam Tecumseh Shermanand speaks briefly. In this episode, Wayne is billed under the pseudonym "Michael Morris", a reference to his real name, Marion Michael Morrison.Several otherregulars from Ford's filmsalso appeared, includingJohn Carradine,Ken CurtisandHank Worden.Ford used action footage from his 1950 filmWagon Masterin this episode, which was shown 18 days after Bond's death and is the only episode in this series directed by Ford.Wayne also played Sherman under Ford's direction in the movieHow the West Was Won,and was billed as "Michael Morris" for a lengthy Ford-directedcameo appearancein theAlcoa Premieretelevision anthology show episode titled "Flashing Spikes"(1962) starringJames Stewart.
• Marlene Willisplayed a supporting role in "The Jess MacAbbee Story" starring Andy Devine.
• Guinn "Big Boy" Williamsappeared in "The Vincent Eaglewood Story" (1959).
• Shelley Wintersappeared during the show's first four episodes.
• Jane Wymanappeared twice, once in "The Doctor Willoughby Story" (1958), as a woman doctor heading west. And, again in "The Wagon Train Mutiny" (1964).
• Dick Yorkguest-starred in "The Michael Malone Story" (1964) as Mitchell.
• Tony Youngguest-starred as Quent Loomis in "The Melanie Craig Story", withMyrna Faheyin the title role (1964).
• Harry von Zellguest-starred in "The Link Cheney Story" (1964) and "The Tobias Jones Story" (1958).

Theme music

The first season theme "Wagon Train" was written byHenri RenéandBob Russell,and lyrics were not used. The theme was conducted by Revue musical director Stanley Wilson. In the second season, a new more modern sounding theme was introduced. "(Roll Along) Wagon Train" was written bySammy FainandJack Brooksand sung by Johnny O'Neill. About midway through the second season this was replaced with an instrumental version by Stanley Wilson. In the third season a more traditional sounding score was introduced. "Wagons Ho!" was written and conducted byJerome Moross,who adapted it from a passage of music he had written for the 1959 filmThe Jayhawkers.This theme would last through the series' run and is the most rememberedWagon Traintheme. Stanley Wilson re-recorded "Wagons Ho!" when the series went to color in 1963, then an abbreviated version of the 1963 re-recorded theme was used for the final season when it returned to black-and-white.

Episodes

Main article:List of Wagon Train episodes

Season	Episodes		Originally aired			Rank	Rating
			First aired	Last aired	Network
1	39		September 18, 1957(1957-09-18)	June 25, 1958(1958-06-25)	NBC	23	27.7
2	38		October 1, 1958(1958-10-01)	June 24, 1959(1959-06-24)		2	36.1
3	37		September 30, 1959(1959-09-30)	June 22, 1960(1960-06-22)		2	38.4
4	38		September 28, 1960(1960-09-28)	June 21, 1961(1961-06-21)		2	34.2
5	37		September 7, 1961(1961-09-07)	June 13, 1962(1962-06-13)		1	32.1
6	37		September 19, 1962(1962-09-19)	June 5, 1963(1963-06-05)	ABC	25	22.0
7	32		September 16, 1963(1963-09-16)	April 27, 1964(1964-04-27)		N/A	N/A
8	26		September 20, 1964(1964-09-20)	May 2, 1965(1965-05-02)		N/A	N/A

Development

Taking inspiration from John Ford's 1950 filmWagon Master,Revue Productionsconceived of a semi-anthology series with an emphasis on strong storytelling and quality direction with weekly guest stars known for their work in motion pictures and other media but retaining a regular cast of characters to provide a touchstone for audiences.

At an initial budget ofUS$100,000(equivalent to $1,085,000 in 2023) per segment,Wagon Trainepisodes cost over 40% more than most contemporary hour-long Westerns, allowing it to film on location in California'sSan Fernando Valleyand afford its expensive guest stars.

Release

Original broadcast

The show ran for 284 episodes over 8 seasons: the first aired on September 18, 1957, and the final segment was broadcast on May 2, 1965.

The series aired for most of its run as hour-long episodes in black-and-white except for five episodes during the 1961-62 season which were produced and broadcast in color to promote NBC's parent company RCA's color television sets. After its move to ABC the show mirrored "The Virginian" on NBC by filming in color and expanding to 90 minutes. In its final and eighth season and due to declining ratings,the show returned to its hour format and was filmed in black and white.

Syndication

When the original Ward Bond episodes were broadcast weekday afternoons on ABC beginning in 1963, a new series title "Seth Adams Trailmaster" was given to the episode to avoid viewer confusion becauseWagon Trainwas still on the ABC evening schedule. A new theme song, the "Trailmaster Theme", written and conducted by Stanley Wilson, was used for these syndicated episodes. The later episodes from the John McIntire era were syndicated under the simpler title "Trailmaster." All episodes eventually reverted to their original titling after the series left the air. The 75-minute episodes were usually syndicated separately, sometimes shown on local stations as "movies."

One episode very seldom shown is "Princess of the Lost Tribe" (season 4 episode 6, shown 6 Nov 1960), in which Flint McCullough happens upon the hiding place of descendants of theAztecIndians - now moved up from central Mexico to the vicinity of Arizona, withRaymond Masseyplaying their king, Montezuma IX, speaking English with flawless educated diction.

Home media

In 2004Alpha Videoreleased three episodes ofWagon TrainonDVD.Four years laterTimeless Media Groupreleased a DVD selection consisting of 12 episodes on three discs. Also in 2008, it releasedThe Complete Color Season,a 16 disc box set with season seven and 16 select episodes from the other seasons. From 2010 to 2013, Timeless Media Group released the series in eight box sets of one season each, and the seventh season lacks the bonus episodes.

Cultural influences

Gene Roddenberrysaid he pitchedStar Trekas "Wagon Trainto the stars ", referring to the concept of a recurring cast on a long journey with famous guest stars becoming the focus of various stories. In his March 11, 1964, initial pitch document, he wrote,"Star Trekis aWagon Trainconcept—built around characters who travel to worlds 'similar' to our own. "

External links

• Wagon TrainatIMDb
• Wagon Trainatepguides