NO TRUE SCOTSMAN BLOGATHON: Wagon Train, The Annie MacGregor Story (1958)

 

The No True Scotsman Blogathon is the brainchild of Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews. Contributor's mission statement: "An actor or actress playing a Scot even though they themselves are not Scottish." Holy Scrooge McDuck, Batman! 

Day 1     Day 2     Day 3     

I am taking a look at an episode of Wagon Train from the venerable western's first season with the accents of guest stars Jeannie Carson and Tudor Owen.

THE ANNIE MacGREGOR STORY

Written by Frank W. Marshall

Directed by Mark Stevens

First aired: Wednesday, February 5th, 1958

Ward Bond and Tudor Owen

Major Adams: "Have you ever tried to argue with a Scotchman? Well, I have!"

The Seth Adams wagon train has come upon quite a sight in the prairie. A wagon train of kilt-wearing MacGregors dealing unsuccessfully with a broken wagon wheel. Their leader Angus MacGregor stubbornly refuses any assistance while his daughter Annie tries to play a conciliatory role between her beloved father and the kind strangers. Among the kind strangers is Jason Campbell and sparks are flying between the immigrant girl and the guest star wagon train scout.

Jeannie Carson as Annie MacGregor

Special Guest Star Jeannie Carson plays Annie. Born into a show business family in Yorkshire in 1928, Jeannie became a musical star in the 1952 hit play Love from Judy. Stage success led to movies such as As Long as They're Happy and An Alligator Named Daisy, plus an invitation to do American television. Jeannie played a Scottish lass in her CBS television series Hey, Jeannie!, 1956, and here in The Annie MacGregor Story.

Lest you think Jeannie was America's go-to Scotswoman at this point, in 1960 she played the Irish Sharon McLonergan in a Broadway revival of Finian's Rainbow where she met her husband Biff McGuire. They appeared together often on stage, including a tour of Camelot. The couple was married from 1960 to McGuire's passing in March of 2021.

Accent-wise, Jeannie gives her Scottish characters a lovely soft lilt most pleasant to hear. Her inflection has that slightly foreign feel yet at the same time is comforting. You can understand producers wanting to utilize that aspect of Jeannie's ability.

Tudor Owen as Angus MacGregor

Tudor Owen (The Black Castle) plays Angus MacGregor, the head of the clan and a most headstrong fellow. Owen was born in Wales and studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts following Medical Corps. service in WWI. His Hollywood career began in the silent era and would eventually encompass not only film but television and particularly radio.

Owen didn't always play a Scot but when he did, it was the gruff fellow with a burr under his tongue and a grand yet controlled ability to go over-the-top. Of course, being an actor he still communicated with his audience. I note this particularly because I have Scots friends of whom I can say that their conversation can be unintelligible and it is not until hours after we have spoken that my brain deciphers what I have heard.

Richard Long as Jason Campbell

The MacGregors in our story have quit one wagon train due to the prejudices against foreigners they experienced from their fellow travelers. The experience has made Angus mistrustful of the genuine offer of help from Major Adams. Angus also bears animosity toward the scout who bears the name of Campbell due to a long-standing feud in the old country. Annie's romantic interest is played with sincerity by Richard "Be Still My Heart" Long.    

Complications arise between Angus and his clan, between Angus and a hot-headed passenger on the Adams wagon train played by Kevin Hagen (Little House on the Prairie), plus a subplot with some warring Kiowa warriors. Musical interludes are provided by Jeannie's charming singing, and reels, and sword dancing. To wit, all the Scottish stuff necessary to satisfy audience expectations. 

When we reach the last commercial and the final credits, Annie has helped us to see the softer side of her adored father. Romance is concluded satisfactorily as Major Adams is empowered to marry couples. As for the Kiowa, it appears they are as spooked by the sound of bagpipes as are American horses and cattle not used to the soothing sound! (Yes. They went there.)

Special guest star Jeannie Carson with series lead Ward Bond

This episode was written by Frank W. Marshall whose only other IMDb writing credit is for the fondly recalled The Seth Adams Story, a two-part episode of the series. The Annie MacGregor Story is one of several Wagon Train episodes directed by actor Mark Stevens (The Dark Corner).

Of note:

Jeannie and husband Biff McGuire 

Married 1960-2021

Jeannie's 93rd birthday was May 23, 2021

Jeannie and Biff sing Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg's Old Devil Moon from Finian's Rainbow