"Wagon Train" (1957) TV series 1957-1965

Directors:

Howard E. Johnson
Leo Sherman

Writer:

Lawrence Menkin (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

18 September 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Plot:

Stories of the journeys of a wagon train as it leaves post-Civil War Missouri on its way to California through the plains...

Plot Keywords:

Wagon Train | Cult Western | Covered Wagon

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Primetime Emmys. Another 5 nominations

Cast

Frank McGrath	...	Charlie Wooster (268 episodes, 1957-1965)
Terry Wilson	...	Bill Hawks / ... (267 episodes, 1957-1965)
Robert Horton	...	Flint McCullough / ... (189 episodes, 1957-1962)
John McIntire	...	Christopher Hale / ... (154 episodes, 1959-1965)
Ward Bond	...	Major Seth Adams (132 episodes, 1957-1961)
Denny Miller	...	Duke Shannon (109 episodes, 1961-1964)

Also Known As:

Major Adams, Trail Master

Runtime:

60 min (284 episodes) | USA:60 min (284 episodes 1957-1963) | USA:90 min (32 episodes 1963-1964)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (1963-1964) | Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Revue Studios

Trivia:

The following three episodes have fallen into the public domain: "Wagon Train: The Malachi Hobart Story (#5.17)" (1962), "Wagon Train: The Dr. Denker Story (#5.18)" (1962), and "Wagon Train: Alias Bill Hawks (#6.34)" (1963).

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Patty Duke Show: The Babysitters (#1.7)" (1963)

Soundtrack:

Wagon Train

Best Way To See Episodes Of Wagon Train

I had never watched WAGON TRAIN when I was growing up as at that time I wasn't particularly fond of westerns. The only one I remembered enjoying was Death Valley Days. So it was with some amusement that when I ordered Wagon Train: The Complete Color Season at Amazon.Com, I was thinking at the time I was ordering the other shows. At 50, my mind was already slipping. When it came, I decided to give it a try. The DVD set includes all 32 episodes of Wagon Trains only color season, plus 16 episodes of the best of the black and white seasons. It turned out to be one of the best television series I have ever bought. What made the color season unique was that the shows were ninety minutes long, each story practically a movie unto themselves. The colors on the transfers were still vivid and the black and white episodes were crisp and clear. Unlike other comments, I really enjoyed John McIntyre in the role of Chris Hale as Wagonmaster. He reminded me almost of John Wayne in his later years, in movies such as True Grit and The Sons Of Katie Elder. The ensemble cast on this show was excellent as well as the endless parade of guest stars, most notably in the color season with Barbara Stanwyck, appearing in two episodes, Suzanne Pleshette, playing a very unsympathetic bad girl role, and Burgess Meredith in a touching, sentimental role that will leave tears in your eyes. Wagon Train was truly one of the great westerns. If you can't find it on TV, I suggest you get it on DVD in whatever form you can find.