Westward Ho, The Wagons!
Encyclopedia
Westward Ho, the Wagons! is a 1956
live-action Disney western film, aimed at family audiences. Based on Mary Jane Carr's novel Children of the Covered Wagon, the film was produced by Bill Walsh
, directed by William Beaudine
, and released to theatres on December 20, 1956 by Buena Vista Distribution Company.
This western was released on videotape March 18, 1997. It was shot in Janss Conejo Ranch
, California.
A small group of families join together to travel to Oregon in 1846. Their leader is ostensibly James Stephen (George Reeves
, TV's Superman
), who has made the trip before, and is now bringing his family along. John Grayson (Fess Parker
), known as Doc for his ambition to study medicine, however, proves to be the real leader of the wagon train.
The pioneers deal with the elements and occasional raids, but after hostile Pawnees drive off their spare horses, they realize they may not make it to the Oregon Territory. While stopping at Fort Laramie, the pioneer children make friends with Sioux children. After the Sioux chief's son is injured in an accident, Doc Grayson helps heal him, earning the trust of the Sioux. As the story ends, the Sioux warriors escort the wagon train safely through Pawnee territory.
1956 in film
The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by...
live-action Disney western film, aimed at family audiences. Based on Mary Jane Carr's novel Children of the Covered Wagon, the film was produced by Bill Walsh
Bill Walsh (producer)
Bill Walsh was a film producer and screenwriter who primarily worked on live-action films for Walt Disney Productions...
, directed by William Beaudine
William Beaudine
William Beaudine was an American film actor and director. He was one of Hollywood's most prolific directors, turning out films in remarkable numbers and in a wide variety of genres.-Early life and career:...
, and released to theatres on December 20, 1956 by Buena Vista Distribution Company.
This western was released on videotape March 18, 1997. It was shot in Janss Conejo Ranch
Conejo Valley
The Conejo Valley is a region spanning both southeastern Ventura County and northwestern Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States...
, California.
Plot
Summary: A wagon train must find another way than fighting to cross hostile Pawnee territory in 19th Century America.A small group of families join together to travel to Oregon in 1846. Their leader is ostensibly James Stephen (George Reeves
George Reeves
George Reeves was an American actor best known for his role as Superman in the 1950s television program Adventures of Superman....
, TV's Superman
Adventures of Superman (TV series)
Adventures of Superman is an American television series based on comic book characters and concepts created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The show is the first television series to feature Superman and began filming in 1951 in California...
), who has made the trip before, and is now bringing his family along. John Grayson (Fess Parker
Fess Parker
Fess Elisha Parker, Jr. was an American film and television actor best known for his portrayals of Davy Crockett in the Walt Disney 1955-56 TV mini-series and as TV's Daniel Boone from 1964-70...
), known as Doc for his ambition to study medicine, however, proves to be the real leader of the wagon train.
The pioneers deal with the elements and occasional raids, but after hostile Pawnees drive off their spare horses, they realize they may not make it to the Oregon Territory. While stopping at Fort Laramie, the pioneer children make friends with Sioux children. After the Sioux chief's son is injured in an accident, Doc Grayson helps heal him, earning the trust of the Sioux. As the story ends, the Sioux warriors escort the wagon train safely through Pawnee territory.
Cast
- Fess ParkerFess ParkerFess Elisha Parker, Jr. was an American film and television actor best known for his portrayals of Davy Crockett in the Walt Disney 1955-56 TV mini-series and as TV's Daniel Boone from 1964-70...
as John 'Doc' Grayson - Kathleen CrowleyKathleen CrowleyBetty Jane Kathleen Crowley is an American actress and was Miss New Jersey in 1949 and a contestant for Miss America in the same year . After the pageants, she became an actress who specialized in being phenomenally seductive in TV series and movies...
as Laura Thompson - Jeff YorkJeff YorkJeff York was an American film and television actor who began his career in the late 1930s using his given name Granville Owen Schofield...
as Hank Breckenridge - David StolleryDavid StolleryDavid John Stollery, III , is a former American child actor and, as an adult, a noted industrial designer. He appeared in numerous Disney movies and television programs in the 1950s...
as Dan Thompson - Sebastian CabotSebastian Cabot (actor)Charles Sebastian Thomas Cabot was an English film and television actor, best remembered as the gentleman's gentleman, "Giles French," opposite Brian Keith's character, in the 1960s sitcom Family Affair. He was also known for playing Dr...
as Bissonette - George ReevesGeorge ReevesGeorge Reeves was an American actor best known for his role as Superman in the 1950s television program Adventures of Superman....
as James Stephen - Doreen Tracey as Bobo Stephen
- Barbara Woodell as Mrs. Stephen
- John War EagleJohn War EagleJohn War Eagle was a Yankton Sioux film and television actor.-Career:Between 1932 and 1977 — sometimes credited as Chief John War Eagle, Chief John Eagle or John Wareagle — he appeared in twenty-eight films, mostly in uncredited roles, and twenty-six television productions.His roles...
as Wolf's Brother - Cubby O'BrienCubby O'BrienCarl Patrick O'Brien , who generally goes by the nickname of "Cubby", is a professional American drummer, and a former child actor, who is best known for having been a Mouseketeer.-Early life:...
as Jerry Stephen - Tommy ColeTommy ColeTommy Cole is an American make-up artist, a former actor and singer who is still best known for having been a Mouseketeer.-Early life:...
as Jim Stephen - Leslie Bradley as Spenser Armitage
- Morgan WoodwardMorgan WoodwardMorgan Woodward is an American actor.He is probably best known for his recurring role in Dallas as Marvin "Punk" Anderson...
as Obie Foster - Iron Eyes CodyIron Eyes CodyIron Eyes Cody was an American actor. He frequently portrayed American Indians in Hollywood films. In 1995, Cody was honored by the American Indian community for his work publicizing the plight of Native Americans, including his acting in films...
as Many Stars - Anthony Earl NumkenaAnthony Earl NumkenaAnthony Earl Numkena, formerly known as Keena Nomkeena is a Hopi/Karok Indian who was a child actor from 1949-1958. He is the first of five children born to Anthony and Margaret Numkena...
as Little Thunder - Karen PendletonKaren PendletonKaren Pendleton was born August 1, 1946 in North Hollywood, California. She was an original Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeer on ABC television from 1955-1958. She was one of only nine Mouseketeers who were on the show during its entire original run. Karen toured Australia in 1959 and 1960 with a...
as Myra Thompson - Jane Liddell as Ruth Benjamin
- John Locke as Ed Benjamin
- Brand Stirling as Tom Foster (uncredited)
Songs
- Westward Ho, the Wagons! - lyrics by Tom Blackburn and music by George BrunsGeorge BrunsGeorge Bruns was a composer of music for film and television who worked on many Disney films. He was nominated for four Academy Awards for his work.-Career:...
- The Ballad of John Colter - lyrics by Tom Blackburn and music by George Bruns
- Wringle Wrangle - written by Stan JonesStan Jones (songwriter)Stan Jones was an American songwriter and actor.Stanley Davis "Stan" Jones was born in Douglas, Arizona, and grew up on a ranch. When his father died, his mother moved the family to Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, competing in rodeos to make money...
- "I'm Lonely, My Darlin'" (based on Green Grow the LilacsGreen Grow the LilacsGreen Grow the Lilacs is a folk song of Irish origin that was popular in the United States during the mid-19th century.The song title is familiar as the source of a false etymology for the word gringo: the myth states that the Mexicans misheard U.S. troops singing "green grow" during the...
, Traditional) - lyrics by Fess Parker and music arrangement by George Bruns - Pioneer's Prayer (from The Vanishing PrairieThe Vanishing PrairieThe Vanishing Prairie was a 1954 documentary film by Walt Disney. The theme music was given a set of lyrics by Hazel "Gil" George. It rechristened as "Pioneer's Prayer" in Westward Ho, the Wagons!, a western film about pioneers on the Oregon Trail....
) - lyrics by Hazel "Gil" George and music by Paul J. Smith