Wagon Master (1950)

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  • WAGON MASTER


    DIRECTED BY JOHN FORD
    PRODUCED BY JOHN FORD/MERIAN C. COPPER/ LOWELL FARRELL
    ARGOSY/RKO PICTURES



    Photo with the courtesy of Paula


    Information From IMDb


    Plot Summary
    A group of Mormons hoping to found a new colony in the trackless San Juan River country hire horse traders Travis and Sandy as wagonmaster and guide. One attraction for Sandy is "redheaded gal" Prudence. Soon they're joined by Doc Hall's broken down medicine show, with "scarlet women" Denver and Fleuretty. Then the Clegg boys, slightly psycho outlaws, decide a Mormon wagon train will make ideal camouflage.
    Written by Rod Crawford


    The plot takes us to 1849 Utah Territory, where two young horse traders are hired by a Mormon elder to guide a small party of Mormon families westward through the Utah desert. The wagon train is plagued by a series of events. Serious meaning a band of savage Indians, A dry desert and no water, and a band of crazy outlaws, who use the train as a disguise. A must see adventure!!
    Written by Maire0142


    Full Cast
    Ben Johnson ... Travis Blue
    Joanne Dru ... Denver
    Harry Carey Jr. ... Sandy
    Ward Bond ... Elder Wiggs
    Charles Kemper ... Uncle Shiloh Clegg
    Alan Mowbray ... Dr. A. Locksley Hall
    Jane Darwell ... Sister Ledeyard
    Ruth Clifford ... Fleuretty Phyffe
    Russell Simpson ... Adam Perkins
    Kathleen O'Malley ... Prudence Perkins
    James Arness ... Floyd Clegg
    Francis Ford ... Mr. Peachtree
    Fred Libby ... Reese Clegg
    Jim Thorpe ... Navajo
    Mickey Simpson ... Jesse Clegg
    Cliff Lyons ... Marshall of Crystal City
    Hank Worden ... Luke Clegg
    Don Summers ... Sam Jenkins
    Movita ... Young Navajo Indian (as Movita Castaneda)
    Danny Borzage ... Accordionist (uncredited)
    Chuck Hayward ... Jackson (uncredited)
    Frank McGrath ... Posse Member (uncredited)


    Produced
    Lowell J. Farrell .... associate producer (as Lowell Farrell)
    Merian C. Cooper .... executive producer (uncredited)
    John Ford .... executive producer (uncredited)


    Writing Credits
    Frank S. Nugent (written by) (as Frank Nugent) and
    Patrick Ford (written by)
    John Ford (story) uncredited


    Original Music
    Richard Hageman (musical score)


    Cinematography
    Bert Glennon (director of photography)


    Film Editing
    Jack Murray
    Barbara Ford (uncredited)


    Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
    Wingate Smith .... assistant director
    Cliff Lyons .... second unit director (uncredited)


    Stunts
    Chuck Hayward .... stunts (uncredited)
    Bryan 'Slim' Hightower .... stunts (uncredited)
    Billy Jones .... stunts (uncredited)
    Eddie Juaregui .... stunts (uncredited)
    Fred Kennedy .... stunts (uncredited)
    Cliff Lyons .... stunts (uncredited)
    Frank McGrath .... stunts (uncredited)
    Post Park .... stunts (uncredited)
    Gil Perkins .... stunts (uncredited)
    Ray Thomas .... stunts (uncredited)


    Camera and Electrical Department
    Archie Stout .... second unit photography


    Trivia
    When Elder Wiggs breaks up the fight between Sandy and Jackson, a dog joins in and tears one of the legs of his pants. This was not in the script. It just happened on the set, and John Ford had liked it so much he kept it in the film.


    Ben Johnson did all his own stunts.


    In this film Harry Carey Jr. rode his own horse called "Mormon" and Ben Johnson rode a famous movie horse called "Steel" that was owned by his father in law "Fat Jones" who ran the most well known horse renting stable in Hollywood. In the galloping scenes Ben Johnston rode Steel's stunt double Bingo and was quoted as saying he was just a passenger as "Bingo" thundered down the hills. According to Harry Carey Jr "Steel" and "Mormon" became very attached and ruined quite a number of scenes by calling out to each other.


    In the scene where Sandy and the Mormon fight, the fight is broken up by Ward Bond's character. Ward Bond has ripped pants as he separates the fighters and you can hear a dog barking in the background. This happened because director John Ford wanted to use two dogs that had been ruining every scene in the film by fighting, in the background as the men fought, hoping the dogs would start fighting as a contrast to the men fighting. Instead of fighting however one of the dogs ran away and the other attacked Ward Bond and ripped his pants. John Ford could barely contain his laughter but kept filming. Afterwords however he became quite concerned and said they needed to find the dog in case it had bitten Ward Bond, not just ripped his pants. Ford was worried the dog might have needed a tetanus shot.


    In the scene where Travis gets bucked off his horse after Denver throws water on it, Ben Johnson did his own stunts. They used a genuine rodeo bucking horse and John Ford promised Johnston if he rode the horse he would not have to do anymore dialogue for the day. which apparently pleased Johnston. Johnston lasted 4 bucks and came off so hard he was almost knocked out. Unfortunately the shot was ruined by one of the wranglers running out to him and asking if he was all right as he lay on the ground. Ben Johnston had to get up and ride the horse again. This time he lasted ten bucks before he bailed off and Ford got his shot.


    According to Harry Carey Jr., Joanne Dru's husband, John Ireland, stayed in town during the shooting and avoided the set, but did organize the company into a performance of "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" in the evening.


    Goofs
    * Crew or equipment visible: As the camera pans along the wagon train moving through Moab, Utah, it passes by a boulder, on which you see the shadows of the camera crew and director John Ford.


    * Continuity: In the beginning of the film, when Travis on the horse talks to the marshal, he folds his right leg leaning it on the saddle horn. In the next shot he is with his right leg hanging unfolded.


    * Continuity: When the marshal mounts the horse and Sandy whistles, he is sitting on the fence, on the right side of Travis. Soon after, when the Mormons arrive, Sandy is sitting on the left side of Travis


    * Continuity: Prudence arrives after Wiggs and Adam, and stands behind them, in front of Sandy on the fence. Between shots she appears near Sandy, with her back to him.


    * Continuity: During the dance, when done going around in a circle, Travis has his hand on Denver's waist, in the next shot it is on her shoulder.


    * Continuity: After Denver throws the bucket of water on Travis and he falls in the dirt, his arms and back are covered in dirt, in the next shot there is hardly any dirt on him, and he did not have time to brush it off.


    Memorable Quotes


    Filming Locations
    Colorado River, Moab, Utah, USA
    Hittle Bottom, Moab, Utah, USA
    Moab, Utah, USA
    Monument Valley, Utah, USAProfessor Valley, Moab, Utah, USA
    Spanish Valley, Utah, USA

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 5 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • Wagon Master is a 1950 Western film about a Mormon pioneer wagon train
    to the San Juan River in Utah.
    The film was conceived, produced, and directed by John Ford, who is often listed
    among the greatest film directors.
    The film stars Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr., Joanne Dru, and Ward Bond.


    Wagon Master inspired the US television series Wagon Train (1957–1965),
    which starred Ward Bond until his death in 1960.
    The film was a personal favorite of Ford himself, who told Peter Bogdanovich in 1967
    that "Along with The Fugitive and The Sun Shines Bright, Wagon Master came closest to being what I wanted to achieve."[


    While the critical and audience response to Wagon Master was lukewarm on its release,
    over the years several critics have come to view it as one of Ford's masterpieces


    Thanks to our member Paula for her knowledge of Ben Johnson.
    and as a result
    Pals Of The Saddle- Ben Johnson
    is currently one of our most popular threads.


    Wagon Master is one of the movies that not only starred Ben,
    but also one where he conducted all his own stunts.


    The film is a who's who of the
    John Ford Stock Company
    for all the well known gang, including Ford's son. daughter
    and brother- in-law.


    I really enjoyed this film for it's cast of well known Pals of Duke,
    Joanne Dru, Harry Carey Jr. and Ward Bond as Elder Wiggs,
    were all suited to their parts.
    I have also included the stuntmen, which included
    a few familiar names, Chick Hayward and Cliff Lyons,
    who was second unit director and played a bit part!.


    The television series Wagon Train
    starring first Ward Bond and then John McIntire,
    was inspired by the film. (Ford directed one episode, but was otherwise not involved with it.)

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 10 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • WOW, these were posted a long time ago. But, I feel that Ford was searching for someone who could fill in the roles Duke played for so long and thought that Ben might be it. After all, Ward Bond had the majority of the lead, and Dobe Carey stated that Ward carried the picture,(not the exact wording). Also, Ward was paid more than any of the others. In the DVD where Peter Bogdonovich and Dobe Carey were commentating, Dobe keeps saying Ward's horse was too small....of course Ford wouldn't have wanted Ward to be taller than Ben on horseback. Also, Dobe gives that the reason for Ward's fall. However, in frame by frame, you can see how Ben's horse Steel was mired up to his fetlocks and struggling to get out of the mud or quicksand...whatever it was. Ward and Ben did a good job of "winging" it. Actually, Ford sent Duke a telegram telling him that Ward had fallen on his bad leg but seemed to be OK. Dobe said that Ford Loved this little picture and was happy go lucky throughout the whole filming. Oh, and when Ward realized his pants were torn and Linda Darnell actually opened the pant leg up to the camera.....I believe she was trying to get a look at that leg of Ward's that was so mangled and which he almost lost. Frame by frame,you can see that Ward is quite angry with Linda, and she looks more than a little nervous about the whole thing. They got over it quickly though. She played in some excellent Wagon Train episodes....especially the one called The Andrew Hale Story. Love Ward Bond, KP

    God, she reminds me of me! DUKE

    Edited once, last by Hawkswill: Question:Why doesn't my profile picture show up? ().

  • Welcome to the board, Hawkswill. Very observant about Ward's bad leg. I'll have to slow it down now myself. Not that I doubt you, I just want to enjoy it.





    We deal in lead, friend.

  • Hi Gorch, Thanks...wow, an answer, LOL. I am a Ward Bond freak. He had many surgeries and a lot of physical therapy to allow him to continue his career. I looked many times at that scene and used to be an RN. Can only tell of an inconsistency above the knee. Good docs. Also, if you watch him in the Grand March in Fort Apache, you will see how he lifts the left knee very slightly higher. I don't believe they ever quite got his foot reflex exactly right. I have never been able to find anything specific....just had to get it on my own. Couldn't believe it when I saw the dog rip open THAT pant leg. Harry Carey opens it up but while fighting and not on purpose. Linda did it very much purposefully. Just look at her face when she realizes she is going to get to see what Ward's leg looks like....imagine she was disappointed, LOL. He wore a heavy brace on it for years....why his pants legs are so wide. KP KEITH

    God, she reminds me of me! DUKE

  • Great autographed pic of Ben, Paula. Oh, you going to post his part on the Group Watch or going to make me do it, LOL? Want people to see his first one with Duke and Ward! Nice addition to the Watch! Super pic, know you are proud of THAT one! Keith


    Is that Steele he is on?

    God, she reminds me of me! DUKE

    Edited once, last by Hawkswill: Forgot ().

  • That is indeed Steel! Ben liked Steel so much he even used him in rodeo events. :)


    Oh man, I have NOT had time to look at the Group Watch! I'm swamped! Sorry!!

  • Ya didn't need ta watch it or read it, just put Ben's pic on so I won't have to go and find the others, and say it was his first, etc. I will do it......swamped though I am also, LOL. Heard from my old investigative reporter from Channel 13 in St. Pete....he couldn't believe it was me, LOL. Too late for the Newman article though. So I will put it off until his birthday. Lloyd is going to get me pics of the start of the race when I was on the track with Paul's partner Jim, the one who was killed. I was the last one to talk to him before he hit the wall. Also, he is sending me a DVD of the LIVE AT FIVE interview he did of me so very many years ago, LOL!
    OK, I will try to find the rest of Ben's pics and post them. HAGO, Keith

    God, she reminds me of me! DUKE

  • I write an article on the anniversary of Ward Bond's death, November 5, 1960, every year. This time, I was asked by Speakeasy to write one to go along with her super biography of Ward, (if you haven't read it, please do...it is the best I have read). Mine is not meant to be anything other than a little something that most folks didn't know about him and to always convey the special relationship that Ward, Duke and Pappy had. If you care to read it, you will find it at the link below. Would love a comment here, but if you could put on on Speakeasy also, it will help me to get more article requests by other bloggers.
    Anyway, here is a little something about "my guy"....the one who brought me to appreciate Duke as much as I do now. HAGO, KEITH


    http://hqofk.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/wagon-master/

    God, she reminds me of me! DUKE

  • It's all lovey-dovey over at the Ben Johnson Screencaps page this week since tomorrow is Valentine's Day. :) On Monday I posted a lovely publicity pic of Ben and Terry Moore taken for Mighty Joe Young, and today I posted this picture from the Wagon Master dance sequence:



    I was looking through my Wagon Master scans and realized I had completely forgotten that I had scanned in these two pictures featuring Ward Bond and I thought I better post them, especially for Keith. :) I did add them to my "Wagon Master Photos and Lobby Cards" album at the Ben page too, even though Ben is not in them. :)