ONE OF THE peculiarities of Television series of the 1950's is that collectively they served as a sort of celluloid melting pot. The voracious appetite that weekly series production generated for acting talent brought a sort of cross era selection of people into the regular casts, supporting players and the 'guest star' categories.
AS AN UNINTENDED and not planned byproduct of this weekly breakneck scheduling, the casts of the individual weekly installments often boasted of a combination of players who were either on the way up, or had perhaps one time star status. So, in this episode, which is today's honored reviewee, WAGON TRAIN: The John Wilbot Story, had the benefit of the talents of Warner Brothers veteran actor Dane Clarke; as well as showcasing the abilities of a young Robert Vaughn.
AS FOR THE scenario of this episode, it may well have been an unusually intelligent episode if only the writer hadn't gone just a little to far. This is only our opinion, but that's what a review is by its very nature. (Right, Schultz?)
OIUR STORY: The Wagon Train is passing through territory inhabited by a known hostile Indian tribe, so Major Adams (Ward Bond), having determined that it would be advantageous to the caravan's safety to employ an advance scout, temporarily trades places with scout Flint McCullough (Robert Horton); whose shoulder was injured and currently in a sling. Adams temporarily appoints McCullough to the position of Wagon master, with Major Adams' taking the scout function.
WE LEARN THAT there are some passengers on the trip who are bitterly opposite contenders from the Civil War. There is also a very cultured man, who appears to have come from the theatrical world. This genteel man (Dane Clark) remains above the fray, offering some great Shakespearian quotations as peaceful bits of wisdom.
THIS IS WHERE we think that the story goes off of the deep end. The gentlemanly thespian (who limps noticeably) is accused of being JOHN WILKES BOOTH! THE HOUR-LONG teleplay is otherwise interesting as a vehicle for the young Mr. Vaughn; as well as for showing off some perhaps unseen talents as an actor. At one point it didn't even seem to be the same guy that we had seen in older feature films such as DESTINATION TOKYO.
AS AN UNINTENDED and not planned byproduct of this weekly breakneck scheduling, the casts of the individual weekly installments often boasted of a combination of players who were either on the way up, or had perhaps one time star status. So, in this episode, which is today's honored reviewee, WAGON TRAIN: The John Wilbot Story, had the benefit of the talents of Warner Brothers veteran actor Dane Clarke; as well as showcasing the abilities of a young Robert Vaughn.
AS FOR THE scenario of this episode, it may well have been an unusually intelligent episode if only the writer hadn't gone just a little to far. This is only our opinion, but that's what a review is by its very nature. (Right, Schultz?)
OIUR STORY: The Wagon Train is passing through territory inhabited by a known hostile Indian tribe, so Major Adams (Ward Bond), having determined that it would be advantageous to the caravan's safety to employ an advance scout, temporarily trades places with scout Flint McCullough (Robert Horton); whose shoulder was injured and currently in a sling. Adams temporarily appoints McCullough to the position of Wagon master, with Major Adams' taking the scout function.
WE LEARN THAT there are some passengers on the trip who are bitterly opposite contenders from the Civil War. There is also a very cultured man, who appears to have come from the theatrical world. This genteel man (Dane Clark) remains above the fray, offering some great Shakespearian quotations as peaceful bits of wisdom.
THIS IS WHERE we think that the story goes off of the deep end. The gentlemanly thespian (who limps noticeably) is accused of being JOHN WILKES BOOTH! THE HOUR-LONG teleplay is otherwise interesting as a vehicle for the young Mr. Vaughn; as well as for showing off some perhaps unseen talents as an actor. At one point it didn't even seem to be the same guy that we had seen in older feature films such as DESTINATION TOKYO.
