RKO/Argosy. Director John Ford; Producer John Ford, Merian C. Cooper; Screenplay Frank Nugent, Patrick Ford; Camera Bert Glennon; Editor Jack Murray; Music Richard Hageman; Art Director James Basevi
Ben Johnson
Harry Carey Jr
Ward Bond
Joanne Dru
Alan Mowbray
Jane Darwell
Wagon Master is a good outdoor action film, done in the best John Ford manner. That means careful character development and movement, spiced with high spots of action, good drama and leavening comedy moments. Pic has some of the best cross-country chases
Site of the story and the filming is Utah, and the rugged locale supplies fresh backgrounds for the action. The story deals with a wagontrain of Mormons seeking a rich valley in which to locate. They are led by Ward Bond and he hires horsetraders Ben Johnson and Harry Carey Jr to guide the pioneers to the new land.
Johnson sits his saddle mighty easily and gives the same kind of a performance, natural and likeable. Carey and Bond also come over in fine style.
(B&W) Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1950. Running time: 85 MIN.
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