Wagon Train (film)
| Wagon Train | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Edward Killy |
| Produced by |
Bert Gilroy (producer) Lee S. Marcus (executive producer) |
| Written by |
Bernard McConville (story) Morton Grant (screenplay) |
| Starring | Tim Holt |
| Music by | Paul Sawtell |
| Cinematography | Harry J. Wild |
| Edited by |
Frederic Knudtson Harry Marker |
Release dates | October 4, 1940[1] |
Running time | 59 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Wagon Train is a 1940 American 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]
Plot summary
Pecos 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
- 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
The film was the first in a series of six Westerns RKO planned with Holt. The films proved so popular the series continued until the early 1950s.[5]
Soundtrack
- 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
- ↑ "Wagon Train: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
- ↑ ""WAGGON TRAIN.".". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 31 March 1941. p. 3. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ↑ 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 28 May 1940: 33
- ↑ "CHIP OFF the OLD BLOCK.". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 4 January 1941. p. 20 Section: The Movie World. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
External links
- Wagon Train at the Internet Movie Database
- Wagon Train is available for free download at the Internet Archive