Wagon Train: Living or Dead?

About Wagon Train

Wagon Train is an American Western series that aired on the NBC television network (National Broadcasting Company), 1957–1962 and then on the lower rated newer American Broadcasting Company (ABC), 1962–1965. Wagon Train first aired on September 18, 1957 and would eventually place the TV show in the number one spot in the Nielsen ratings. The series format attracted big name guest stars who would appear in major roles as travelers in the large wagon train or in the settlements they passed by or visited. It initially starred veteran movie supporting actor Ward Bond as the wagon master, later replaced upon his death in 1960 by John McIntire, and Robert Horton as the scout, subsequently replaced by Scott Miller and Robert Fuller.'The series was inspired by the 1950 film Wagon Master directed by John Ford and starring Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr. and also Ward Bond, and harkens back to the early widescreen wagon train epic The Big Trail (1930) starring John Wayne and also 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.