Customer Reviews

Wagon Train

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is another one of many television series from the 1950s and 1960s that is awaiting an official studio release. Were it not for "public domain" releases like this three-episode, single-disc DVD from Alpha Video, we might not be able to see some of the television classics from TV's "golden age" on DVD. So, in this regard, I appreciate the fact that at least a few episodes are available. As to the episodes themselves, the three included here are all from the 1960s when John McIntire starred as Wagonmaster Chris Hale. They include "The Doctor Denker Story," "The Malachai Hobart Story," and "Alias Bill Hawks." These episodes, either alone or in various combinations, have been available on a few Western TV compilations, but this is one of the very few DVDs where you can get all three of them on a single disc. While none of these are particularly standout episodes, they are representative of the series and include a few guest stars like Theodore Bikel and Franchot Tone. Look for Irene Ryan of "The Beverly Hillbillies" in "The Malachi Hobart Story."

The episodes on Alpha's DVD, though not restored, are of decent audio/visual quality. It remains to be seen as to whether or not we'll ever see an official release of the "Wagon Train" series. As such, I recommend this DVD for fans of the series.

My rating is actually closer to *** & 1/2.

This is another great series that is being wrongfully ignored by the studios. It should be released season by season on dvd immediately! I was a real big fan of especially the Ward Bond-Robert Horton episodes. Those were definitely the best from this series. And Frank McGrath as Charlie Wooster was great comedy relief. PLEASE, which ever company holds the rights....release these episodes soonest on dvd NOW!! You've already waited too long!!

Both DVDs contain the same 3 episodes. so its an obvious mistake that Amazon should rectify.

It seems that there are only 3 episodes available. So Sad.

i took a chance on this because i love wagon train and hoped for a better transfer than the ones i had.
well that didn't work out to good because the transfers were the worst i have seen. sound drop-outs,blurry,and the sound the rest of the time seemed to be off some from the speech. i may have been just me but do be careful

The Wagon Train series really deserves better than the release of just three episodes on DVD. Also, the transfer quality in my opinion is pretty poor, although the stories are watchable enough.
It is difficult to overstate the popularity of this series at the time of it's original showing in the late fifties/early sixties. The Ward Bond episodes are the best in my opinion, and apart from a number of episodes released on vhs tape about 10 years ago, there is nothing.
That's a real shame for what was without doubt one of the best western series ever made, with many star actors making appearances. I live in hope that this series will be given the status it deserves and released on DVD in full restored quality soon.

I too would love to see WAGON TRAIN, Season One in a box set. Instead, we are stuck with the only three episodes legally allowed to be sold (so thank goodness for companies like Alpha). I get to meet actor Denny Miller, who played Duke Shannon on this TV series, this September in Aberdeen at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention to talk about his screen work. He played the role on this series less than 30 times (it was a recurring role) but thankfully one of them, "The Malachi Hobart Story" from january 24, 1962, is available on this DVD so I recommend it.

For many fans of this series, Ward Bond as Major Seth Adams, wagonmaster and Robert Horton as scout Flint McCullough are the best the series offered. Many fans looked kindly as John McIntire as Chris Hale when he took over after Bond's death in 1960. Robert Fuller as Cooper Smith never had quite the same acceptance in taking over after Horton's departure in 1960. A show that had tons of guest stars: Lee Marvin, Robert Vaughn, Bette Davis, and many many others. Why is this not available in a decent format and by season?

It brought back a big part of my youth - what more could you ask of a product???

Clean, wholesome entertainment for the whole family with a good story line. It's unfortunate they don't make them like this anymore. This TV western is in the same league of programming as Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Rifleman, Wanted, Dead or Alive, etc....

Very good, although I expected th have series fearuring Ward Bond but maybe that was my fault.