Wagon Train (1940)

Pecos businessman Matt Gardner is buying up freighters, or wagon trains of food supplies, at cheap prices through intimidation, and charging high prices by deliberately causing phony food ... See full summary »

Director:

Edward Killy

Writers:

Morton Grant (screen play), Bernard McConville (story)

Stars:

Tim Holt, Ray Whitley, Emmett Lynn

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tim Holt	...	Zack Sibley
Ray Whitley	...	Ned
Emmett Lynn	...	Whopper
Martha O'Driscoll	...	Helen Lee
Malcolm 'Bud' McTaggart	...	Coe Gardner (as Malcolm McTaggart)
Cliff Clark	...	Matt Gardner
Ellen Lowe	...	Amanthy
Wade Crosby	...	O'Follard
Ethan Laidlaw	...	Pat Hays
Monte Montague	...	Kurt
Carl Stockdale	...	Mr. Wilkes
Bruce Dane	...	McKenzie
Glenn Strange	...	Stagecoach Driver

Storyline

Pecos businessman Matt Gardner is buying up freighters, or wagon trains of food supplies, at cheap prices through intimidation, and charging high prices by deliberately causing phony food shortages at his trading posts. The only one refusing to sell his supplies is Zack Sibley, who is dead set on maintaining his freighter business as well as tracking down his father's murderer, his ex-business partner. Gardner plans on eliminating any competition Sibley presents by sending his thugs to kill him and raid his wagon train.

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Plot Keywords:

wagon train | freighter | wagon | trading post | murderer | 

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Taglines:

He's head-man of the vital supply trains in the days when badmen plagues the plains...and a slip-up meant famine for the West's gar-flung frontiers. (original herald poster)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | History | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dödspasset

Filming Locations:

Kanab, Utah, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

59 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

British confectionery company Burtons Foods insist the movie inspired the 1948 creation of their "Wagon Wheel" - a chocolate biscuit [cookie] still in production to this day.

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Goofs

As Zack is chasing after the runaway wagon team through the canyon pass, the tire tracks of the camera truck can be clearly seen in the dirt.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theatre 3000: Swamp Diamonds (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Wagon Train"
(uncredited)
Written by Ray Whitley and Fred Rose
Played on guitar and sung by Ray Whitley and an offscreen chorus

User Reviews

Hard to believe this is a B western.

One of the best B westerns I've ever seen. Original and intelligent script, solid acting, great scenery and production values not normally found in this type of movie. Scene with wagons racing across the valley is spectacular and does not appear to be stock footage (though I could be wrong). Tim Holt westerns, particularly those from the early 40s, usually exceeded the normal standards for series westerns, but Wagon Train is in a class by itself. Truly a great movie of it's type.