Wagon Train is an American Western television series that aired for eight seasons, first on the NBC television network (1957–1962) and then on ABC (1962–1965). Wagon Train debuted on September 18, 1957, and reached the top of the Nielsen ratings. It is the fictional adventure story of a large westbound wagon train through the American frontier from Missouri to California. Its format attracted famous guest stars for each episode, appearing as travelers or residents of the settlements whom the regular cast encountered.
The show initially starred film actor Ward Bond as the wagon master (replaced after his death in 1960 by John McIntire) and Robert Horton as the scout (eventually replaced by Robert Fuller).
The series was inspired by the 1950 film Wagon Master[2] and the 1930 early widescreen film The Big Trail, both featuring Bond. The series influenced the development of Star Trek, pitched as "Wagon Train to the stars" and launched in 1966.
Robert Horton and Ward Bond
Robert Horton as Flint McCullough
Robert Fuller as Cooper Smith
John McIntire as 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 a wagon train from St. Joseph, Missouri, across the plains of the Midwestern United States and the Rocky Mountains to Sacramento, 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 as Ernest Borgnine, Bette Davis, Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan, Lee Marvin, and Joseph 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 featuring John Wayne speaking from the shadows and billed in the credits as "Michael Morris".
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