The Michael McGoo Story

The writing of this episode that has Charlie Wooster, played by Frank McGrath as the main character role in this episode did an outstanding job. Along with John Doucette as an old sea captain and Jocelyn Brando as a spinster this is an episode that all should watch.

You see a softer loving side of Wooster trying to help the 4 Hooper boys be adopted together after their parents died after an accident. Many of Wooster's past schemes never seem to work out very well. It is interesting to see how this plays out in the end.

Charlie Wooster is such a great character and Frank McGrath plays him in such a wonderful way it is hard to imagine any actor fulfilling a roll more completely. The pathos of a man who occupies a place in life so often taken for granted, and left to tend to the small menial duties that seldom get the esteem given to others is not to be underrated. So glad that Charlie/Frank got to stand up in an episode so admirably. Also, the face of Jocely Brando and her acting ability are very memorable.

I don't usually cry at an episode of Wagon Train, but...

Frank McGrath as the grizzled cook Charlie Wooster takes center stage in this Wagon Train episode when he plays Uncle Charlie to the newly orphaned Hooper kids.

Not that there aren't people on the Wagon Train who wouldn't adopt the four Hooper boys. But as John McIntire finds out not all four in the same family. And Uncle Charlie won't let his family be split up.

He also kind of likes being a father figure and spinster lady Jocelyn Brando might take them herself with a husband. That problem might be solved in the person of Michael McGoo, a charming old sea captain with tales from the ocean that bedazzle both the Hooper kids and Ms. Brando.

John Doucette plays McGoo with a lot of blarney and charm. This is a very heart warming Wagon Train story for the whole family.