Wagon Train is a 1940 American Western film directed by Edward Killy and starring Tim Holt.[2] It was this film that really started Holt's series of B Westerns for RKO, replacing those made by George O'Brien.[3][4]
| Wagon Train | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Edward Killy |
| Screenplay by | Morton Grant |
| Story by | Bernard McConville |
| Produced by | Bert Gilroy |
| Starring | Tim Holt |
| Cinematography | Harry J. Wild |
| Edited by | |
| Music by | Paul Sawtell |
| Distributed by | RKO Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 59 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot summary
editPecos 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.
Cast
edit- Tim Holt as Zack Sibley
- Ray Whitley as Ned
- Emmett Lynn as Whopper
- Martha O'Driscoll as Helen Lee
- Malcolm 'Bud' McTaggart as Coe Gardner
- Cliff Clark as Carl Anderson, alias Matt Gardner
- Ellen Lowe as Amanthy (Whopper's Lady Friendl)
- Wade Crosby as Wagonmaster O'Follard
- Ethan Laidlaw as Henchman Pat Hays
- Monte Montague as Henchman Kurt
- Carl Stockdale as Mr. Wilkes (Gardner's Lawyer)
- Bruce Dane as McKenzie
- Glenn Strange as Stagecoach Driver
Production
editThe film was the first in a series of six Westerns RKO planned with Holt. Martha O'Driscoll was signed to appear in the first two.[5]
The films proved so popular the series continued until the early 1950s.[6]
O'Driscoll and Holt were meant to reteam in Sir Piegan Passes but it was not made.[7]
It was filmed in Kanab, Utah and in Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, California.[8][9]
Soundtrack
edit- Ray Whitley – "Wagon Train" (Written by Ray Whitley and Fred Rose)
- Ray Whitley and Glenn Strange – "Why Shore" (Written by Ray Whitley and Fred Rose)
- "A Girl Just Like You" (Written by Ray Whitley and Fred Rose)
- "Farewell" (Written by Ray Whitley and Fred Rose)
References
edit- ^ "Wagon Train: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
- ^ "WAGGON TRAIN". The Sydney Morning Herald. March 31, 1941. p. 3. Retrieved June 7, 2013 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Richard Jewell & Vernon Harbin, The RKO Story. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House, 1982. p152
- ^ "53 FEATURE FILMS SCHEDULED BY RKO: 1940–41 Plans Announced at Sales Convention of Firm Now in Session Here 190 SHORTS ON PROGRAM Gallup Survey of the Audience Interest in Pictures Is Being Conducted for Company Plans Research Institute Film by Orson Welles". New York Times. May 28, 1940. p. 33.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (July 3, 1940). "Rogers Wins Stellar Chance in 'Colorado'". Los Angeles Times. p. 11.
- ^ "CHIP OFF the OLD BLOCK". The Australian Women's Weekly. January 4, 1941. p. 20 Section: The Movie World. Retrieved June 6, 2013 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: 'Kiss Me Again' Purchased by Ernst Lubitsch, Producer for United Artists 'GHOST BREAKERS' OPENING Paramount Attraction Starts Today--'Spies in the Air' Is Rialto Offering". New York Times. July 3, 1940. p. 15.
- ^ Stone, Robert (2011). Day Hikes Around Ventura County. Day Hike Books. Page 216. ISBN 9781573420624.
- ^ Maulhardt, Jeffrey Wayne (2010). Conejo Valley. Arcadia Publishing. Page 65. ISBN 9780738580395.
External links
edit- Wagon Train at IMDb
- Wagon Train is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive