LEGENDS OF WESTERN CINEMA WEEK: Wagon Train - The Maud Frazer Story, 1961 and The Caroline Casteel Story, 1962

Hamlette's Soliloquy and Along the Brandywine are our hosts for the online celebration Legends of Western Cinema Week, during August 17 - 21. The celebration of your (our) favourite westerns will certainly brighten the summer of 2020.

Continuing a look at TV western icon Barbara Stanwyck with classic episodes of Wagon Train. Barbara Stanwyck's first foray into television westerns was on Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre where she guest-starred four times in 1958 and 1959. After the cancellation of The Barbara Stanwyck Show, she appeared on Rawhide in 1962 and four episodes of Wagon Train from 1961 - 1964.

Wagon Train aired for eight seasons from 1957 - 1965 and followed the stories of various pioneers seeking a new life in the west. Stuntmen turned actors Terry Wilson and Frank McGrath as scout Bill Hawks and cook Charlie Wooster were consistent cast members throughout the series run. Ward Bond played wagon master Major Seth Adams and Robert Horton scout Flint McCullough.

Ward Bond's untimely death in 1960 led to recasting the wagon master with John McIntire as Chris Hale. Robert Horton left the show at the end of the fifth season and Denny Miller joined as scout Duke Shannon that year. Michael Burns was youngster Barnaby West for the last three seasons and Robert Fuller played scout Cooper Smith for the final two seasons.

THE MAUD FRAZER STORY

Written by Norman Jolley and Alfred Van Ronkel

Directed by David Butler

Aired Wednesday, October 11, 1961

Barbara Stanwyck stars as Maud Frazer who, along with her husband Isaac played by Russ Conway are leading a wagon train to California. Maud has convinced Isaac to leave the train when they reach a place called South Pass where there is said to be a verified gold strike. Isaac feels his responsibility to the travelers but he is besotted and controlled by his wife. Scout Flint McCullough from the Chris Hale train has warned the Frazers of the threat of Indian attack which they ignore. Maud wants that gold.

Russ Conway, Barbara Stanwyck

Ambushed as they approach the mountains, all of the men in the Frazer train are killed. Before he dies, Isaac implores Maud to think of her responsibility and leave behind her greed. In little ways Maud begins to soften yet when she speaks of the gold to the other women, she is not wrong. What sort of life will they have without men and without money when they reach California? Only poverty lies in their future unless they go back for the gold. Nonetheless, when McCullough again shows up offering the pioneers a spot on the Hale train, the women vote to join up.

Robert Horton, Barbara Stanwyck

The sparks that have flown between Maud and Flint convince her that she can seduce the scout and get his help in returning to South Pass. Flint is attracted to Maud but tells her that if he was all about the gold, he would have gone after it already. Leaving the wagon train at night, Maud is disturbed by strange noises in the dark, lonely night but suppresses her fright by thinking of the gold. A wounded cavalry trooper played by Wesley Lau dies in her arms begging her to get to Chris Hale and warn him of the rampaging Indians. He dies sensing Maud's conflict.

Maud finally sees her duty is to the others and rushes toward the wagon train while Flint and Duke race to find her. Fatally wounded by pursuing Indians, Maud dies in Flint's arms wondering why it took her so long to find and understand what is truly important in life.

THE CAROLINE CASTEEL STORY

Written by Gerry Day

Directed by Virgil W. Vogel

Aired Wednesday, September 26, 1962

Barbara Stanwyck stars as a captive of an Indian tribe who gets help from a greedy trader played by Robert F. Simon when he recognizes the locket she is wearing belonged to Caroline Casteel. Ten years ago Caroline was taken in a raid and her grieving husband's $10,000 award for her return remains valid.

Robert F. Simon, Barbara Stanwyck

The woman anxious to return to her own world is not Caroline Castell, she is a former "working girl" called Lily. Nonetheless, she knew Caroline and that knowledge makes up for the changes she and Mr. Casteel played by Charles Drake (see A Man's Game) find in each other. Caroline's young son played by Roger Mobley is thrilled to have a mother yet harbors guilt at her capture.

Charles Drake, Barbara Stanwyck

The ladies of the wagon train are welcoming at the beginning but their judgment turns to suspicion and sniping when "Caroline" continues to wear comfortable mocassins, speaks of the good people she knew during her captivity, and touts the efficacy of medicinal herbs. Those herbs come in handy when the children of the wagon train become ill although it is not until Jamie Casteel is cured first that the others come with hat in hand.

Frank Casteel was not immune to the thoughtless gossip of the others and in an epic argument, Lily confesses and relates that the gentle and loving Caroline that she knew would not be able to understand his attitude. Frank and the other members of the train are shown to be moved and changed by their encounter with Lily.

Lily realizes Chris Hale had long ago figured out her story but kept it to himself in the belief that everyone deserves a second chance. Lily leaves the train with names of Chris's friends who can help her, and allowing Frank and Jamie to return to their life in the town.

The Caroline Casteel Story marked the first time Barbara Stanwyck worked with director Virgil W. Vogel. Vogel would direct Stanwyck in two other episodes of Wagon Train made during the program's 7th season, with episodes in colour and running 90 minutes. The Molly Kincaid Story starred Carolyn Jones with Barbara Stanwyck as freighter Kate Crawley. The Kate Crawley Story chronicled the romance between Kate and wagon master Chris Hale. Virgil Vogel would later direct 48 episodes of The Big Valley.

In a 1965 New York Times interview Barbara Stanwyck said that Virgil Vogel "knows as much about making westerns as the old master John Ford." 

Tomorrow, we feature Barbara Stanwyck's crowning television western achievement, The Big Valley.

LEGENDS OF WESTERN CINEMA WEEK: The Barbara Stanwyck Show, A Man's Game, 1961

Hamlette's Soliloquy and Along the Brandywine are our hosts for the online celebration Legends of Western Cinema Week, during August 17 - 21. The celebration of your (our) favourite westerns will certainly brighten the summer of 2020.

I am joining the Legends of Western Cinema Week with Barbara Stanwyck and her career turn that made her a television western icon. Let's begin the Emmy-winning The Barbara Stanwyck Show. Barbara's anthology show ran in the 1960-1961 season on NBC.

Our hostess introduced each episode and advised us not to take tonight's gentle spoof of the old west too seriously.

A MAN'S GAME

written by David Harmon and Albert Beich

directed by Lewis Allen

aired July 3, 1961

Narrator (Barbara Stanwyck): "In the old days around 1950 Hollywood used to make westerns about Indians. Then the Indians gave way to cattle drives and cattle rustlers. But lately, the cattle, in turn, have retired in favor of the gunslinger." 

Charles Drake as Ben Stockton

Narrator: "Here's one now riding up to a cantina on the Mexican border in 1875. Notice that he is alone. The gunslinger is always alone. Just riding through minding his own business until he runs into some fool kid trying to make a name for himself."

Clinton Sundberg as Billy Deevers and Charles Drake as Ben Stockton

In this case, "the kid" has his sights on two gunslingers, and Ben steps in to help his colleague Billy Deevers.

Narrator: "The kid calls him out so naturally, he has to shoot the kid. But then he's disgusted. He hangs up his guns, changes his name, and goes west - somewhere beyond his reputation."

Ben takes Billy at his word never to recognize him should they ever meet again.

Edgar Buchanan as Judge Franklin

Narrator: "Notice that old man with the white kitten named Snowflake? There's always an old man in westerns. Sometimes he's a doctor but in this case, he's Judge Franklin. We'll see him again in about a year in the Oklahoma Territory where the Buffalo roam."

Barbara Stanwyck as Chris Mathews

Narrator: "And here I am, Miss Chris Mathews. Where else? In my saloon, the Ace High."

A year later and Ben Stockton is a seller of buffalo hides going by the name of Ben Weedon. He has made a killing, so to speak, and with $2,000 in his pocket, or more precisely in Chris's safe, Ben asks Chris to be his bride. They will go to St. Louis and live the high life. However, Chris does not have any intention of leaving her built-from-the-ground-up business to live the life of and with a "floater" which is how she sees the noticeably gun-free "Weedon."

Barbara Stanwyck, Charles Drake

Discussions, romantic and otherwise are put on hold as the latest sheriff and a bad guy shoot it out in the saloon and the town - once again - is looking for a new sheriff. Since none of the town's menfolk are interested in the job, and if people keep shooting up the saloon and each other there won't be a saloon or any customers either, Chris takes the job.

 Barbara Stanwyck, Edgar Buchanan, Charles Drake

Narrator: "Here I am. It's what all the lady sheriffs are wearing."

Chris is top-notch when it comes to handling the not-bad-just-high-spirited cowboys who get rowdy on Saturday nights. She is so good, in fact, that she decides to run for election when the time comes. It is a four-year term. Ben does not want to marry a sheriff, and he does not want to wait four years. Chris does not want to be some piece of fluff dancing in St. Louis. The road of true love ne'er runs smooth.

Sam Buffington, Charles Drake, Edgar Buchanan, Andy Albin

Judge Franklin: "There's more to this than meets the eye, boys. And I don't refer to the romantic situation of our friend here. There's a larger evil."

Red Quincy: "How's that again, Judge?"

Judge Franklin: "I'm speaking of women. I make a firm prediction. Someday they'll all wear pants."

Vic Trenton: "Judge, they won't go that far. Congress will pass a law or something."

Judge Franklin: "They'll probably be in Congress! Take Wyoming, they've had a woman sheriff there for years. Why, they even let women vote. Make no mistake about the female of the species. We know they're inferior. They know they're inferior. But will they admit it? On the contrary, they seize every opportunity to get out of the kitchen and the nursery; their natural habitat. I tell you, it's horrendous."

Edgar Buchanan, Charles Drake, Barbara Stanwyck, Clinton Sundberg

Eventually, a situation arises which Chris can't handle. That situation is Billy Deevers. Told to leave town he only responds that he will consider the sheriff's request. Ben calls upon that favor owed from their time at the border a year ago. Unfortunately, he also slips up by mentioning the $2,000 in Chris's safe.

 Barbara Stanwyck, Andy Albin

Chris can't bring herself to shoot anyone, even a gunslinging thief. Ben puts his guns back on to face Deever, and in the process discovers that the Judge has known about his real identity all this time.

Clinton Sundberg, Charles Drake

Narrator: "The inevitable gunfight on TV has grown longer and longer. However, you've seen one gunfight, you've seen them all. So we thought we'd get this one over fast."

Charles Drake, Barbara Stanwyck, Edgar Buchanan, Andy Albin, Snowflake

Secrets are out in the open. Money is locked in the safe. Chris still wants to keep her business. Ben still wants to get married. So ...

Narrator: "The gunfighter is now the sheriff, and the sheriff is back to her nice saloon."

Judge Franklin performs the wedding ceremony.

Barbara Stanwyck

Our hostess (Barbara Stanwyck): "I guess that was a case of a woman getting too big for her britches. It's a common failing. Happens to a lot of us --- in more ways than one."

The two other western-themed episodes of The Barbara Stanwyck Show were Ironbark's Bride with guest star Charles Bickford and Little Big Mouth with scene-stealing Judy Strangis and Buddy Ebsen. A Man's Game was the final episode of the series aired and its cheeky humor is a delight.

1961 Primetime Emmy Awards
Barbara Stanwyck's first competitive acting award win was for The Barbara Stanwyck Show.

NOTE: Tomorrow we'll visit two of Barbara Stanwyck's guest appearances on Wagon Train.

LEGENDS OF WESTERN CINEMA WEEK: THE TAG

Hamlette's Soliloquy and Along the Brandywine are our hosts for the online celebration Legends of Western Cinema Week, during August 17 - 21. The celebration of your (our) favourite westerns will certainly brighten the summer of 2020.

Here's the tag to start off the fun!

1. What's the last western you watched?

A re-watch of Hangman's Knot, 1952 starring Randolph Scott and written and directed by Roy "Maverick" Huggins. This time, I got the hubby to watch it with me!

2. A western of any stripe (happy or tragic) where you were highly satisfied by the ending?

The ending of Three Godfathers, 1936 when Bob gets the baby back to the church in New Jerusalem breaks my heart with its symmetry.

3. The funniest western you've seen?

Laurel and Hardy in Way Out West, 1937 has never failed to crack me up. 


4. What similar elements/themes show up in your favorite westerns?

Perseverance over difficult circumstances and/or difficult people is featured time and time again in my favourite westerns. 


5. Favorite actress who made 1 or more westerns?

I  adore Claire Trevor in Stagecoach, Dark Command, Texas, The Desperadoes, Best of the Badmen, and Man Without a Star.


6. Favorite western hero/sidekick pairing?

Gabby Hayes with William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy. No.

Gabby Hayes with Roy Rogers. No.

Gabby Hayes with Randolph Scott. No.

Gabby Hayes with John Wayne. Well ... the answer is ...

GABBY AND SOMEBODY!

7. Scariest villain/antagonist in a Western?

Lee Van Cleef as Frank in Ride Lonesome, 1959 says of the man his gang is pursuing "I did him a hurt once." Regarding that murder, "That was a long time ago. I almost forgot." Imagine committing so many vicious acts, that you can forget one.

8. Favorite romance in a western?

Gail Russell and John Wayne as Penelope Worth and Quirt Evans in Angel and the Badman, 1947. Their romance is played out with quirky and thoughtful dialogue and performances highlighting the Quaker girl's surety in their destiny and the gunfighter's confusion at this turn in his life.

9. Three of your favorite westerns?

Canyon Passage, 1946 - Jacques Tourneur

Blood on the Moon, 1948 - Robert Wise

7 Men from Now, 1956 - Budd Boetticher


10. Share one (or several!) of your favorite quotes from a western.

Joey: "Well, maybe you shouldn't drink, then you'd have six bits when you need it."

- Brandon De Wilde to Jimmy Stewart in Night Passage, 1957

Wyatt: "Mac, you ever been in love?"
Mac: "No. I've been a bartender all me life."

- Henry Fonda and J. Farrell MacDonald in My Darling Clementine, 1946

Ryker: "I like Starrett, too. I'll kill him if I have to. I tell you, I'll kill him if I have to."
Wilson: "You mean I'll kill him if you have to."

- Emile Meyer and Jack Palance in Shane, 1953

NOTE: I'll be back tomorrow with the first of three posts looking at Barbara Stanwyck and her work in television westerns.

ALFRED HITCHCOCK BLOGATHON: Alfred Hitchcock Presents Banquo's Chair, 1959

Good evening. Our friend Maddy Loves Her Classic Films is hosting her 4th Alfred Hitchcock Blogathon on August 8th and 9th, 2020. Click HERE and dive in! 

The 1950s and 1960s were a Golden Age for television anthology series. Outstanding in the field was Alfred Hitchcock Presents which began on CBS in 1955 and concluded its run on NBC as The Alfred Hitchcock Hour in 1965.

Gounod's Funeral March of a Marionette and a lugubrious "Good Evening" from our host, Alfred Hitchcock, ushered the audience into surprising stories by clever writers and directors with interesting casts. Our host was featured in funny and punny introductions to imply that he enjoyed the evening's entertainment as much as the audience.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents was the recipient of several awards and nominations from the Golden Globes, the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Directors Guild of America, the Edgar Allan Poe Awards and the Writers Guild of America.

Rupert Croft-Cooke's 1930 one-act play Banquo's Chair had been adapted for the radio program Suspense and aired first on June 1, 1943, with a cast which included Donald Crisp and John Loder (Sabotage).

BANQUO'S CHAIR, 1959

Season 4, Episode 29

Aired May 3, 1959

Written by Francis M. Cockrell, Banquo's Chair was the final of 18 episodes Cockrell contributed to the series. Other television credits include Perry Mason, The Barbara Stanwyck Show, and Batman. Among his films, you will find Dark Waters, Rhubarb, and Inferno.

Our host, Alfred Hitchcock, the acclaimed director of 58 feature films directed this episode, one of 17 he directed from 1955 to 1961.

The Cast

John Williams as Inspector Brent, retired Scotland Yard

Kenneth Haigh as John Bedford, a one-time murder suspect comes to dinner

Reginald Gardiner as Major Cook-Finch, dinner host

Max Adrian as Robert Stone, actor and dinner guest

Hilda Plowright as Mae Thorpe, an actress with a character to play

Tom Dillon as Sergeant Balton, back-up

George Pelling as Lane, competent butler

Alfred Hitchcock

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and welcome to darkest Hollywood. Night brings a stillness to the jungle. It is so quiet, you can hear a name drop, but the savage beasts have already begun gathering at the waterholes to quench their thirst. Now, one should be especially alert. The vicious tablehopper is on the prowl and the spotted backbiter may lurk behind a potted palm. In order to reach the scene of tonight's story, our little safari must now move inexorably and incomprehensively from smoggy Hollywood to foggy London. Fortunately, we make the side trip through the pure, exhilarating air of commercial television."

Reginald Gardiner, Max Adrian, John Williams

Retired Scotland Yard Inspector Brent has invited himself to dinner at the home of Major Cook-Finch. Two years ago this very night in 1901 the home the Major was able to purchase on the cheap was the site of a grizzly murder. The elderly Miss Ferguson was strangled, as was her Pekinese. The main suspect, her nephew and sole heir John Bedford had an unbreakable alibi. Now, Mr. Brent has a plan to solve the one unsolved case on his record.

Kenneth Haigh, John Williams, Reginald Gardiner, Max Adrian

Along with Bedford, the actor Robert Stone will be one of this select group of diners. Mr. Brent makes arrangements with the household staff as to the serving of the meal and the control of the gaslight. A local police sergeant is on hand. An actress named Mae Thorpe is made up to resemble Miss Ferguson. A barking dog is also part of the plan. It is a very theatrical dinner that the former Inspector Brent has arranged this evening.

Max Adrian, Kenneth Haigh, John Williams, Reginald Gardiner

Time passes pleasantly with talk of the Inspector's retirement, and the Major's recent travails which led to a broken arm. Robert Stone, the professional actor at the table fulfills his role magnificently with comments and jokes on the state of the theatre, its playwrights, its critics, and its audiences.

 

Kenneth Haigh

It is a stormy night and the front door is blown open and, per the Inspector's instructions, the gaslight dims. Bedford becomes strangely silent and moody. He has been situated to see "Miss Ferguson" in the next room silently accusing her murderer. As the rest of the party carries on oblivious to the wraith, Bedford is driven to the point of divulging his guilt.

John Williams, Hilda Plowright

The sergeant arrests John Bedford and the remaining three congratulate each other on the success of Mr. Brent's ploy when Mae Thorpe, dressed as Miss Ferguson enters and apologizes for being late. She has only just arrived.

Banquo's Chair is not a little play to puzzle out. When the title references a Shakesperean spectre, the audience knows where the story is going. It is not the shock of the ending, it is the satisfactory journey to that ending where we find pleasure in the polished entertainment.

Of note:

John Williams and Alfred Hitchcock on the set of Dial M for Murder. Their other collaborations are The Paradine Case, To Catch a Thief, and ten episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.