"Wagon Train"- The Colter Craven Story (1960) (TV)

There are 22 replies in this Thread which has previously been viewed 45,699 times. The latest Post () was by ethanedwards.

Participate now!

Don’t have an account yet? Register yourself now and be a part of our community!

  • THE COLTER CRAVEN STORY
    (TV)


    DIRECTED BY JOHN FORD
    PRODUCED BY HOWARD CHRISTIE
    REVUE PRODUCTION
    NBC TELEVISION



    More pictures and information
    The Colter Craven Story


    INFORMATION FROM IMDb


    Plot Summary
    Major Adams, comes across Dr. Colter Craven, and his wife,
    by their broken wagon,and invites them, to join his train.
    Although the Doctor, aids an injured boy, when it comes to perform
    a life and death operation, he refuses.
    Distraught after what he had seen in the Civil War,
    he was now an alcoholic.
    This prompts Seth Adams, to recount the story of his old friend Sam,
    who overcame a drinking problem,
    to become President Ulysses S. Grant
    Summary by ethanedwards


    Series Cast- Regular cast members.
    Ward Bond .... Major Seth Adams
    Robert Horton .... Flint McCullough
    Terry Wilson .... Bill Hawks
    Frank McGrath .... Charlie Wooster


    Episode Cast
    Paul Birch .... Gen. Ulysses S. 'Sam' Grant
    Willis Bouchey .... Mr. Grant
    John Carradine .... Park Cleatus
    Ken Curtis .... Kyle
    Richard H. Cutting .... Col. Lollier
    Annelle Hayes .... Mrs. Grant
    Chuck Hayward
    Anna Lee .... Mrs. Craven
    Cliff Lyons .... Creel
    Mae Marsh .... Mrs. Jesse Grant
    Jack Pennick .... Drill Sergeant
    Chuck Roberson .... Junior
    Dennis Rush .... Jamie
    Charles Seel .... Mort
    John Wayne .... General William Tecumseh Sherman (as Michael Morris)
    Hank Worden .... Shelley
    Carleton Young .... Colter Craven


    Writing Credits
    Tony Paulson (writer)


    Episode Crew
    Produced
    Howard Christie .... producer


    Original Music
    Stanley Wilson


    Cinematography
    Benjamin H. Kline


    Stunts
    Dean Smith .... stunts
    Paul Baxley .... stunts (uncredited)
    Joe Canutt .... stunts (uncredited)
    Gary Combs .... stunt double: Robert Horton (uncredited)
    John Daheim .... stunts (uncredited)
    Carol Daniels .... stunts (uncredited)
    Evelyn Finley .... stunts (uncredited)
    Fred Graham .... stunts (uncredited)
    Carol Henry .... stunts (uncredited)
    Ted Mapes .... stunts (uncredited)
    Boyd 'Red' Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
    George Orrison .... stunts (uncredited)
    Rusty Richards .... stunts (uncredited)
    Ronnie Rondell Jr. .... stunts (uncredited)
    Dale Van Sickel .... stunts (uncredited)
    Jesse Wayne .... stunts (1960-1965) (uncredited)
    Henry Wills .... stunts (uncredited)
    Terry Wilson .... stunts (uncredited)


    Other crew
    Vincent Dee .... costume supervisor
    George Fredrick .... assistant editor
    Stanley Wilson .... music supervisor
    Steven Spielberg .... assistant editor (uncredited)


    Trivia
    This episode marked the first time that John Wayne played General Sherman.
    He would play him again in the Civil War sequence in MGM's Cinerama spectacular How the West Was Won (1962).


    Filming Locations
    Revue Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    Stage 19, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 8 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • The Colter Craven Story was Episode #4.9.
    and was aired on November 23rd. 1960.
    and was part of the hugely successful WAGON TRAIN TV series.
    Starring Ward Bond, who really controlled the whole series.


    Directed By John Ford, this episode had
    Carleton Young, as Colter Craven,
    Anna Lee, Ken Curtis, Cliff Lyons,Jack Pennick,
    John Carradine, Hank Worden, Chuck Roberson
    and Duke as Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman.
    Duke was credited as Michael Morris!!!



    Shown in shadow is John Wayne as General Sherman


    The Colter Craven Story remains unique, because it was directed by a legendary
    John Ford as a testament to his friendship, with Duke and Ward.
    According to Ford, he was unaware of Duke's appearance.
    In fact Dukes's appearance is all of a few seconds, and he is almost
    indistinguishable, in the dark shadows, of nightfall.


    Note who's an uncredited, Ass. Editor...Steven Spielberg!!


    Here is a link to, a great site,
    with brilliant photos and film synopsis,


    WAGON TRAIN-PHOTOS


    User Review


    Ward Bond Hosts His Friends
    1 August 2006 | by bkoganbing (Buffalo, New York)



    For continuity, all discussion
    please post here:-
    Duke's Movies- "Wagon Train-The Colter Craven Story

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 9 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • Hi


    The episode of the Wagon Train Colter Craven Story is very good even if you forget that John Wayne is in it, In the brief final sequence he is heard but not seen.
    The story line is good carried out with a fine cast which includes Carlton Young and John Carradine.


    I think its worth watching.


    The copy I have of Rookie of the year is not of the best quality, but again it is a watchable film with John Wayne playing the investigating reporter on the trail of a hot story.



    Regards


    Arthur

    Walk Tall - Talk Low

  • Hi Arthur,
    I've just compliled the reviews on those two.
    Like your self, my version of Rookie is poor,
    however the Colter Craven Story is fine.
    I think the best thing to do is post them now,

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

  • Hi,
    Now that the topic is open, I have copied, Arthurs reply across to here.

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

  • Hi,


    For anyone interested in this episode, below is a link,
    to a great site, with some good photos and film synopsis,


    Scroll, down for some great shots,


    Including Duke's appearence, Ward Bond,
    John Ford, Hank Worden and others,



    Shown in shadow is John Wayne as General


    The Colter Craven Story

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 2 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • Recently bought the box set of Wagon Train colour episodes which also has sixteen 'best of' monochrome shows. Sadly the Colter Craven Story isn't there. Some of the episodes look pretty corny now and there's a huge discrepancy between the usually excellent location shots, cutting to some very obvious studio 'exteriors'.
    They're well-written though and the early Ward Bond episodes are to my mind the best.

  • Hi

    Although it's very wrong to say it Wagon Train in my case was the best thing in the world for bringing on sleep. Every Monday night I would stay up to watch it, fall asleep just after the opening credits and wake up as the final credits were played -it never failed.



    Regards

    Arthir

    Walk Tall - Talk Low

  • We didn't have TV when this started here in the UK, but every Sunday evening I went to a neighbour's house to watch it, as religiously as going to Chapel in the morning and Sunday School in the afternoon.

    Ward Bond was a great actor and was in some great films, but I think this enhanced his status greatly. I don't recall this one, but it was a long time ago. As much a TV Classic as Rawhide.

    I thknk the reason some of these 'old-timers' look so corny is that we have become used to a higher standard of production, and costs; advancements in technology have transformed things greatly.

    It's a bit like the early days of Rock'N'Roll and Sun and Cadence record labels.

    Bob

  • I dont recall seeing this discussed here before but and I found this out by chance yesterday while watching The Colter Craven Story on youtube or some place like that? that the John Ford TV shows he directed are coming out on DvD.


    Oh and, I saw some weeks ago, that you cna now FINALLY get the Ford movie: Prisoner of Shark Island-on DvD-when you could only get it as part of that very expensive Ford boxed set that came out about 4 or so years ago.


    If these both have been discussed before? sorry mods ;-))

    Es Ist Verboten Mit Gefangenen In Einzelhaft Zu Sprechen..

  • Ringo, I believe this may be what you sure talking about. If I remember right, I believe that "The Colter Craven Story" episode occurred during season four of Wagon Train, so it should be part of this box set.


    Quote

    "I am not intoxicated - yet." McLintock!

  • I am sure everyone realized this, but I didn't see it....almost a third of The Colter Craven Story was actual film from the 1950 movie Wagon Master......the run with the Wagons, and crossing the River at the beginning and end with the little colt coming out. I was surprised when I first saw it. I wasn't looking at it when Duke said his line.......but BOY, did I jump up and go back a bit, LOL. Then couldn't find his name until I saw the Michael Morris,or whatever. I believe it was shown about two weeks after Ward died. There was another one that was shown that Ward hadn't completely finished. You could tell by his voice. Anybody know which that one was? KPKEITH

    God, she reminds me of me! DUKE

  • Anyway you can post The Weight of Command and The Jonas Murdock Story?
    Not Duke's, but I need them. Thanks if you can, and thanks anyway if you can't. Hope Sue's Mom is better. KPKeith
    Can't wait to see War Wagon!

    God, she reminds me of me! DUKE

  • I am sure everyone realized this, but I didn't see it....almost a third of The Colter Craven Story was actual film from the 1950 movie Wagon Master......the run with the Wagons, and crossing the River at the beginning and end with the little colt coming out. I was surprised when I first saw it. I wasn't looking at it when Duke said his line.......but BOY, did I jump up and go back a bit, LOL. Then couldn't find his name until I saw the Michael Morris,or whatever. I believe it was shown about two weeks after Ward died. There was another one that was shown that Ward hadn't completely finished. You could tell by his voice. Anybody know which that one was? KPKEITH


    The Colter Craven Story, was shown 18 days after Ward's passing.


    According to the Wagon Train web-site, this is the last episode taped by Ward


    However as we know Ward passed away in November 1960,
    and this was shown in February of 1961.


    The Beth Pearson Story
    (ep. #4.22) 2/22/1961


    Major Adams is shaken by the resemblance of a widow to Raine Webster, the woman he once loved.
    He falls for the woman, but she wants him to be sure that it is she, and not a ghost he's fallen in love with.


    Ward Bond as Major Adams
    Virginia Grey as Beth Pearson
    Johnny Washbrook as Ron Pearson
    Del Moore as Johnson


    This is the last episode taped by Bond. He was never written out of the show.
    According to Terry Wilson, we were supposed to assume he left of a broken heart after this story.


    As a tribute I have posted a profile of Ward's last appearance here
    Wagon Train- The Beth Pearson Story



    Anyway you can post The Weight of Command and The Jonas Murdock Story?
    Not Duke's, but I need them. Thanks if you can, and thanks anyway if you can't.


    Keith, apart from mentioned above, I have no further plans on posting any other episodes,
    but here are the links to
    The Weight of Command
    The Jonas Murdock Story

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 15 times, last by ethanedwards ().