Wagon Train (1957–1965)

Stories of the journeys of a wagon train as it leaves post-Civil War Missouri on its way to California through the plains, deserts and Rocky Mountains. The first treks were led by gruff, ... See full summary »

Stars:

Frank McGrath, Terry Wilson, Robert Horton

Nominated for 7 Primetime Emmys. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Frank McGrath	...	Charlie Wooster (271 episodes, 1957-1965)
Terry Wilson	...	Bill Hawks (266 episodes, 1957-1965)
Robert Horton	...	Flint McCullough (187 episodes, 1957-1962)
John McIntire	...	Christopher Hale (152 episodes, 1959-1965)
Ward Bond	...	Major Seth Adams (133 episodes, 1957-1961)

Storyline

Stories of the journeys of a wagon train as it leaves post-Civil War Missouri on its way to California through the plains, deserts and Rocky Mountains. The first treks were led by gruff, but good-at-heart Major Seth Adams, backed up by his competent frontier scout, Flint McCullough. After Adams and McCullough, the wagon train was led by the avuncular Christopher Hale along with new scouts Duke Shannon and Cooper Smith. Many stories featured the trustworthy assistant wagonmaster Bill Hawks, grizzled old cook Charlie Wooster and a young orphan, Barnaby West.

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Plot Keywords:

wagon train | cult tv | covered wagon

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 September 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Major Adams, Trail Master

Filming Locations:

Lake Sherwood, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revue Studios, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min 50 min (252 episodes) (season-1-6 and 8) 75 min (32 episodes) (season 7)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8) Color (Season 5)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was sponsored by the Edsel Division of the Ford Motor Company during its first season on the air.

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Connections

Referenced in Stand by Me (1986)

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Soundtracks

"Wagon Train"
Written by Henri Rene and Bob Russell
(Season 1 only)

User Reviews

Tall in the saddle,Robert Horton

When it came to the contestants on Survivor,they wouldn't have a fighting chance of the western frontier with actor Robert Horton. As frontier scout Flint McCullough on Wagon Train(which was on two networks,the first was on NBC-TV from 1957-1962 for the black and white episodes,then it went to ABC-TV from 1962-1965 for the color episodes and was the only show on ABC that was in color and also was expanded to a 90 minute format),he was always pushed to his physical limits. While reconoitering the Conestogas' westward trail,Flint would get waylaid by a windstorm,blizzard or raging river,rattlesnake bites,savage Indians, Mexican bandits,outlaws,and cattle rushers-he took it all in stride. Each week,he'd pick himself up and return to the caravan to report, "Trouble ahead,Major". The wagon master,Major Seth Adams(played by film star Ward Bond),was the big wheel when it debut in 1957 on NBC-TV. Horton's rugged good looks gave the show some necessary sex appeal as those sturdy Conestogas trekked from St. Joesph's Missouri to California,stopping along the way for guest stars like Ronald Reagan,Bette Davis,Barbara Stanwyck,Lee Marvin,Charles Bronson and even a special appearance by John Wayne. However,Horton left the show in 1962 when it moved to ABC. Horton was replaced by actor Robert Fuller(who was a regular on another western series called "Laramie",and also went on to play Dr. Kelly Brackett on the "Emergency" TV series during the 1970's) who took over the reigns of the show until its cancellation in 1965. Wagon Train was not your ordinary western by any means,but its was a history lesson that took you to a time when all you have are your wits to stay alive in the vast frontier of the United States during the 1800's. Catch the episodes on the Family Channel or on the Encore Western Network.