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Wagon Master Overview:

Wagon Master (1950) was a Western - Film directed by John Ford and produced by John Ford, Merian C. Cooper and Lowell J. Farrell.

SYNOPSIS

Fine Ford Western about two rugged cowhands (Ford stalwarts Johnson and Bond) who join a wagon train of faithful, hardy Mormons heading for Utah. One of Ford's exemplary tales of human survival that contrast ideals (the expression of the Mormons' beliefs in their quest for the "promised land") with reality (the harsh Western terrain, the threat of Indian attack and outlaws). The inspiration for the television show Wagon Train (which also starred bond).

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Wagon Master BlogHub Articles:

On Blu-ray: John Ford's Wagon Master (1950)

By KC on Oct 22, 2019 From Classic Movies

It says a lot about the kind of actors director John Ford cast when his supporting players are as good at carrying a film as his frequent star John Wayne. In the 1950 film Wagon Master, actors and stuntmen Ben Johnson and Harry Carey, Jr. shine at a different wattage than Wayne, but they are neverth... Read full article

Wagon Master (1950)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Apr 28, 2019 From 4 Star Films

“Wagons west are rolling…” – Sons of The Pioneers Despite being a tighter film, Wagon Train still bears the irrefutable mark of John Ford. Together with producer Meridian C. Cooper, he crafts a piece of work as near to a fully realized articulation of his vision as he proba... Read full article

Classic Films in Focus: WAGON MASTER (1950)

By Jennifer Garlen on Aug 23, 2013 From Virtual Virago

John Ford directed many more famous Westerns than Wagon Master (1950), but this modest oater about a Mormon wagon train reveals many of Ford’s signature touches and favorite players. It’s a dramatic tale that focuses on the interactions of several different kinds of frontier outsiders, i... Read full article

Classic Films in Focus: WAGON MASTER (1950)

By Jennifer Garlen on Aug 23, 2013 From Virtual Virago

John Ford directed many more famous Westerns than Wagon Master (1950), but this modest oater about a Mormon wagon train reveals many of Ford’s signature touches and favorite players. It’s a dramatic tale that focuses on the interactions of several different kinds of frontier outsiders, i... Read full article

Classic Films in Focus: WAGON MASTER (1950)

By Jennifer Garlen on Aug 23, 2013 From Virtual Virago

John Ford directed many more famous Westerns than Wagon Master (1950), but this modest oater about a Mormon wagon train reveals many of Ford’s signature touches and favorite players. It’s a dramatic tale that focuses on the interactions of several different kinds of frontier outsiders, i... Read full article

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Wagon Master Quotes:

Elder Wiggs: [to Travis] Hey, you wouldn't, uh, happen to know that San Juan River country, would you?
Sandy: Yeah, we know it. What about it, Grandpa?
Elder Wiggs: [Taking offense] Now look here, don't you be grandpa-ing me, you young whippersnapper! I'll bull you off that fence and fan your britches for you! Goddarn...
Travis Blue: Feet hurt, ma'am?
Denver: Nope!
Travis Blue: Well here, try these on!
[Hands here a pair of walking shoes, she puts them on]
Denver: Did you get these from that... red-headed gal?
Travis Blue: You mean Miss Prudence?... yes ma'am.
Denver: Is she your wife?
Travis Blue: No ma'am... How do they feel?
Denver: Fine. A little large for me maybe, but fine. Thanks very much, and thank your lady friend.
[Denver arises, and starts to walk away, Travis looks after her]
Travis Blue: She ain't that either ma'am!
[repeated line]
Travis Blue, Elder Wiggs: Wagons West!
Travis Blue: Sure hope that I see you again, Miss Denver.
Denver: Thanks, but don't plan on it, We move around. The medicine show has to, to stay healthy.
Travis Blue: We move around alot trading horses. Good thing about it, though, you get to see a lot of pretty country, like the valley I got in mind. A man can make an awfully nice little cattle ranch in that valley. If he doesn't mind being lonesome.
Denver: [pauses] Good luck, fellow.
[She runs away, blinded by tears]
Travis Blue: [of the indians] Near as I can figure out, he don't seem to like white menn.
Sandy: Yeah, he say's we're all thieves.
Elder Wiggs: Smarter then he looks!
[Sandy speaks Navajo, evidently translating what Elder Wiggs had just said]
Elder Wiggs: Don't tell him that, you fool! Tell him we're Mormans!
[the Navajos speak in their native touge, mutterring "Mormany" repeatedly]
Elder Wiggs: What'd he say?
Sandy: Say's the Mormans are his brothers. Say's they ain't big thieves like most white men. Just little thieves.
Elder Wiggs: Right complementery, ain't he?
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Wagon Master Facts
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ben Johnson did all his own stunts.
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