[38], This article is about the TV series. Johnny ONeill performed it, but the network still wasnt satisfied with the song, and they wanted something different. Season 7 (1963-64) episodes were in color and 90 minutes long. He was in charge of everyone traveling on the Wagon Train, alongside Scout Flint McCullough. Bond shockingly passed on November 5, 1960. Ward Bond was wonderful as the Bond made his screen debut in Salute and thereafter was a busy character actor, playing over 200 supporting roles. I never knew until now why he left the show. Wagon Train debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings. Your email address will not be published. For the first seven seasons, from 195965, Eric Fleming was undeniably the star of Western. [citation needed], When the original Ward Bond episodes were broadcast weekday afternoons on ABC beginning in 1963, a new series title "Seth Adams Trailmaster" was given to the episode to avoid viewer confusion because Wagon Train was still on the ABC evening schedule. I am almost 72 yrs. for two seasons, topping billings almost every week. At the end of a long journey, lives were lost. See production, box office & company info, Revue Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. Jeromes inspiration for the song was from the Jayhawkers songs he wrote for the film. Horton, who was 91, died March 9 at a clinic in Los Angeles, California. Why did Robert Horton leave the show wagon train? They eventually reconciled shortly before Bond's death. At an initial budget of US$100,000 (equivalent to $965,000 in 2021) per segment, Wagon Train episodes cost over 40% more than most contemporary hour-long Westerns, allowing it to film on location in California's San Fernando Valley and afford its expensive guest stars.[36]. The World Turns Career Taking inspiration from John Ford's 1950 film Wagon Master, Revue Productions conceived of a semi-anthology series with an emphasis on strong storytelling and quality direction with weekly guest stars known for their work in motion pictures and other media but retaining a regular cast of characters to provide a touchstone for audiences. Fort Bridger is my home. The Lone Writer is an American frontier and Old West journalist and historian. He wished to work more in musical theater. They both show the unending journeys of the main characters and the different people they meet as they go. Robert Horton, an actor who was most well-known for starring on television Westerns including "Wagon Train," has died. Years later when the wagon train stops nearby, the Indian tells the young man to join his people. They have three children together. why did robert fuller leave wagon train. The studio wanted a theme song that wasnt so traditional, so they opted for a new theme song.The second theme song was by Jack Brooks and Sammy Fain. Miller played Duke Shannon for two seasons before the character got removed. Mead Howard "Robert" Horton Jr. (July 29, 1924 - March 9, 2016) was an American actor and singer. Episodes revolve around the stories of guest characters portraying members of the massive wagon train or encountered by it. He moved to Texas with Jennifer in 2004 and the two of them have a horse ranch there. The show inspired Star Trek. All of the familys belongings had to be packed into the wagon, leaving no room for beds. Ward Bond is a great actor and he was Seth Adams. Required fields are marked *. Even though his hair is now a gorgeous silver, he still packs plenty of dynamite! No explanation was ever given on the show for Major Seth Adams' disappearance. When he finds out that he won't be joining any battles and what their real purpose is, it may be too late for him and the girl he loves. John McIntire was brought in to replace the actor, acting as a new wagon master. When their daughter runs away from the wagon train, the Hamiltons hire Flint to bring her back. Thank you so much for the reruns. The regular characters were few, and only two stayed from the first season through to the last. He should have been honored. Convicted of horse-stealing, Flint receives from Chris 20 lashes followed by banishment from the train. I enjoy it. He was married to his first wife Patricia Lee Lyon for twenty-two years, before the couple divorced in 1984. Whenever my husband hears me in the kitchen yelling Wagons Ho! he knows its time to settle in for a Train-a-thon. The series was sponsored by the Edsel Division of the Ford Motor Company during its first season on the air. John McIntire did a fine job. You ain't- Well, sure, you must be, Mr Bridger's son. Photo Albums: 1, 2, 3, Keep reading! In the autumn of 1959, two years after its inception, it ranked as one of seven Westerns in the Nielsen top 10 in the United States. [1] The show initially starred supporting film actor Ward Bond as the wagon master (replaced after his abrupt death in 1960 by supporting film actor John McIntire) and Robert Horton as the scout (eventually replaced by similar-looking Western television star Robert Fuller after Horton opted to leave the series). He is known for playing Flint McCullough in Wagon Train (1957-1962). Bond was a good actor, but he wasnt getting as many TV lead roles as someone with his skills should have been getting until the. He was a viewers favorite, and they expected him to ride with them to the shows end. However, some actors were so good and endearing that not getting attached to them would be regrettable. series. According to Wayne they ended up bonding, over corn whiskey and a few nocturnal escapades, Ward and I became close personal friends, and that friendship lasted until the day Ward died, over thirty years later.. It features the trials of the series regulars, who conducted the train through the American West. Ward Bond has many features in the American Film Institutes 100 greatest: It isnt shocking to hear that many people considered Bond a legend, given the fact that he has set some records that have remained unmatched to date. I fell in love with a Ward Bond who was now about my age. As a result, Robert Fuller replaced his character. He made a name for himself, and people continue to remember him for his great work as a character actor. I always wondered what he looked like. With Ward Bond, Robert Horton, Everett Sloane, Charles Cooper. I saw an episode where he announced to the folks he was leaving the train which is confusing to me. He was in seven of the 100 Greatest Films in America. Bond was a good actor, but he wasnt getting as many TV lead roles as someone with his skills should have been getting until theWagon Trainseries. the Week Past Pics of the Week-2001 Ward Bond's final acting project. overacted performances in the history of the series. In the 1961-62 season, it surpassed Gunsmoke in popularity and ranked as the most popular program on American television. Been watching Wagon Train my whole life and Im 71. Some made it with their dreams intact. Be competent, be more skilful than others. Usually, the networks try to find a natural transition to write off the character or add a tribute to the deceased actor to the end of their final episode but Ward Bonds character was left without a farewell. Wagon Train's first season and first journey across the plains ended with this episode. In his March 11, 1964, initial pitch document, he wrote, "Star Trek is a Wagon Train conceptbuilt around characters who travel to worlds 'similar' to our own". The network didnt do what many networks would have done. Picture of After his parents are killed by whites, a boy is raised by a lone Indian. I didnt realize I was only 8 years old when the show started. His bark was worse then his bite. I must say, I loved Ward Bond and also Frank McGrath (Charlie). That briefly changed during the show's fifth season (196162) on the NBC network, to help promote the sales of parent company RCA's color television sets. He fit into the role, and although viewers expected an explanation from the network regarding the changes made, they eventually got used to McIntire on their screens. old and I guess I never did know why Ward bond left the Wagon Train. Gene Roddenberrys first pitch forStar Trek, his hit science-fiction television series, was Wagon Train to the Stars.. Robert Horton, known for his role as scout Flint McCullough in the Emmy-nominated series Wagon Train, died March 9 in Los Angeles, his niece Joan Evans told the New York Times. If you are a fan of Wagon Train and dont understand the reason behind Bonds decision to leave the show, continue reading this article. Robert Horton is kind of taken with O'Brien and when they discover the land is now a swamp due to hydraulic mining, Horton wants to settle it with Hadley frontier style. Wagon Train was an immensely popular program during its original run. , becoming the only recurring characters from the beginning til the final season. What happened to Robert Fullers first wife? The actor had sustained a leg injury in a car accident. Why did Robert Fuller leave wagon train? This was a good episode with some good guest stars. From their stint on Laramie, Smith and Robert Fuller developed a lifelong friendship, until Smiths own death in early 1995. He did not play the same character but it served as the inspiration for the series. Watching him as we speak in Gentleman Jim with another Icon Errol Flynn. Bond died of a heart attack on the fourth season of Wagon Train. Their dissatisfaction led them to Wagons Ho by Jerome Moross. In the second season, a new more modern sounding theme was introduced. How was Ward Bond written off wagon train? Wagon Train regulars had to compete against two of the most outrageously They both stayed throughout the entirety of. Wagon Train is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957-1962), and then on ABC (1962-1965). The Rodney Lawrence Story: Directed by Virgil W. Vogel. real estate practice final exam highest attendance in soccer why did hoagy carmichael leave laramie In Wagon Train: The Vincent Eaglewood Story (1959) (Season 2) Bill Hawks berates Wooster for looking at a book despite being illiterate, but in Wagon Train: The Nellie Jefferson Story (1961) (Season 4) Wooster not only reads dialogue from Romeo and Juliette with Nellie Jefferson, she finds a scrapbook he created with newspaper clippings on her performances, including comments Wooster wrote related to specific shows. Every woman wants a man just like these men. The inspiration for the series came from the 50s film the Wagon Master by John Ford. Jugs Memorabilia He died of a heart attack in November 1960 in a hotel room in Dallas, Texas. Sponsored by the Edsel Division of the 100 Greatest Films in America immensely popular program on television. Familys belongings had to be packed into the wagon Train endearing that not getting attached to them would be.. 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