Wagon Train
The series initially starred veteran movie supporting actor Ward Bond as the wagon master, later replaced upon his death by John McIntire, and Robert Horton as the scout, subsequently replaced by lookalike Robert Fuller a year after Horton had decided to leave the series. The series was inspired by the 1950 film Wagon Master directed by John Ford and starring Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr. and Ward Bond, and harkens back to the early widescreen wagon train epic The Big Trail starring John Wayne and featuring Bond in his first major screen appearance playing a supporting role. Horton's buckskin outfit as the scout in the first season of the television series resembles Wayne's, who also played the wagon train's scout in the earlier film.
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Season 1
39 episodes
Premiered Sep 18, 1957
Season 2
38 episodes
Premiered Oct 1, 1958
Season 3
37 episodes
Premiered Sep 30, 1959
Season 4
38 episodes
Premiered Sep 28, 1960
Season 5
37 episodes
Premiered Sep 27, 1961
Season 6
37 episodes
Premiered Sep 19, 1962
Season 7
32 episodes
Premiered Sep 16, 1963
Season 8
26 episodes
Premiered Sep 20, 1964
Ep 1The Willy Moran Story
Willy Moran, a drunk, is hired by a wagon as a driver. He is an army buddy of the Major, but is used as a fall guy by a member of the train who wants to rob it. When the battle starts, Willy uses his army skills to turn the battle.
Ep 2The Jean LeBec Story
The train cannot get supplies after a member kills the son of the man who owns most of St. Joseph in self-defense. He escapes with the help of Flint but when he learns the train is still being denied supplies he returns to face hanging.
Ep 3The John Cameron Story
John Cameron, from Philadelphia, heads west with his wife to start a new life. Her flirtatious ways may get the better of her when three trappers come into camp offering fresh buffalo and thinking she might be more available than she is.
Ep 4The Ruth Owens Story
Ruth Owens remarries and is moving west with her new husband. When her brother comes looking for her, he stirs up trouble for her about her past and himself because he just killed a man.
Ep 5The Les Rand Story
Les Rand, just released from prison for murder, goes back home to kill the man he held responsible; his father, the doctor. Meanwhile, Flint is there to fetch the doctor to help someone injured. Les vows that no one will stand in his way.
Ep 6The Nels Stack Story
A pacifist since the war, Nels Stack stands up to any man prejudiced against another. When his own beliefs are tested in the face of an impending Indian attack against the wagon train, he has to decide who he is going to defend.
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