Wagon Train

Other reviewers have rehearsed the plot of Edward Killy's RKO B-Movie from 1940, so there is no need to tread over familiar ground. What is perhaps more intriguing is the way the film rehearses several themes characteristic of the western, which might tell us something about the way America viewed itself at that time. The film is awash with movement: the wagon train traveling across the plains, accompanied by riders; the perpetual threat of the bad guys wanting to stop the train; coupled with the subplot about a community's livelihood being threatened should vital food supplies not arrive. This draws attention to the idea of the pioneer spirit; the fact that, as a young country, the United States is perpetually looking to expand itself; it is never satisfied with staying n one place. WAGON TRAIN also embodies racial attitudes characteristic of that time: all the characters are Euros, save for one Mexican (Julian Rivero) who assumes a peripheral role as he is s seen entering the general store trying to buy some beans for his family. He cannot afford the exorbitant price; and hence throws them back in the seller's face. Native Americans are represented as savage; they destroy one settlement; and it is only because of our hero Zack Sibley's (Tim Holt's) cleverness that they allow him and his followers to pass through their territory unscathed. By contrast the 'good' white Euros are represented as strong yet fair, believing in the importance of group identity as a means to survive in an inhospitable landscape. The film packs a lot into its sixty-minute running time; comedy, adventure, even two songs (with music by Paul Sawtell). Not particularly memorable, perhaps, but an interesting historical document.

This is an unpretentious B western with a good interplay of comedic side stories and songs but a very simple and contrived storyline.

Pecos businessman Matt Gardner is buying up wagon trains of food supplies, at cheap prices through intimidation then charging higher prices by causing phony food shortages at his trading posts. The only man refusing to sell his supplies is Zack Sibley (Tim Holt.) Gardner plans on eliminating Sibley by sending his thugs to kill him.

There is plenty of exposition as soon as the film starts as two minor characters recount the story of Zack who has been looking for the man who killed his father when he was a child as he leads wagon trains out West. It just so happens that Matt Gardner was the culprit.

Ironically Gardner is later shot from a distance by his own son Coe when he intended to kill Zack and mistook his own father for Zack.

There is nice interplay between Whopper (Emmett Lynn) who plays the teller of tall tales and his flame (Ellen Lowe) who gives out the vibes of Olive Oyl. Holt is a suitably able hero with the white hat who falls for Coe's sweetheart, Helen Lee.

A nice short feature with a few good set pieces but nothing more.

I was amazed at the films excellent quality having been developed in 1940 when cinema production was in its early stages. Although only 59 minutes in length, Wagon Train utilizes every minute to wow its audience with action, adventure, comedy and romance. Tim Holt was just coming into his own as a bona fide film star of the time and he was competing for screen time with the likes of Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. I have always enjoyed the western genre and Tim Holt is a bona fide cowboy who shines bright on the big screen.

Wagon Train is a western that all can enjoy if you are a fan of the western genre. Decades later when color is added, and more sophisticated cameras and lenses, the westerns of the 1970s starring the likes of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson may have pushed films like this one, the 1940 Wagon Train to the back of the TV film shelves, but thank God for television stations such as TCM who will periodically honor the great western stars such as Tim Holt and allow us to watch such a film classic.

I give Wagon Train a solid 8 out of 10 rating. It may be a bit dusty, grainy and in black and white but for a near 80 year old film, it remains a classic in my books and is worth watching at least twice in one's lifetime.

Wagon Train is directed by Edward Killy and written by Norton Grant and Bernard McConville. It stars Tim Holt, Ray Whitley, Emmett Lynn, Martha O'Driscoll, Malcolm 'Bud' McTaggart and Cliff Clark. Music is by Paul Sawtell and cinematography by Harry Wild.

"The middle of the last century witnessed small bands of courageous men leading their wagon trains across the wilderness, carrying provisions to the people of the frontier. They died of hunger, thirst, heat and cold. Desert wastes, prairie fires, the attacks of road agents and Indians took their toll. But the freighters still rolled on - - the wheels of their wagons carving from the Trans-Missouri Wilderness a greater and stronger nation."

Out of RKO, this black and white Oater is a breezy paean to the tough characters who led the wagon trains whilst battling the elements and outside human forces. Tim Holt stands straight backed and handsome as our hero leading from the front, whilst O'Driscoll shines pretty as a summers day. There is much joviality to be found in between the pacey action scenes, and there's even time for some songs and a nifty dance sequence that John Ford would have approved of for its portrait of community spirit. Filmed on location in Kanab, Utah, the picture is practically a complete outdoor production, and it's beautifully photographed by Harry Wild (Farewell My Lovely/Station West).

No surprises here but that's just fine, it's an hour of hooray and yeehaw entertainment with thrills, spills, laughs and the requisite heroes and villains. 7/10

One of the best B westerns I've ever seen. Original and intelligent script, solid acting, great scenery and production values not normally found in this type of movie. Scene with wagons racing across the valley is spectacular and does not appear to be stock footage (though I could be wrong). Tim Holt westerns, particularly those from the early 40s, usually exceeded the normal standards for series westerns, but Wagon Train is in a class by itself. Truly a great movie of it's type.