MovieChat Forums > Wagon Train (1957) Discussion > I'M SORRY, BUT............

I'M SORRY, BUT............

posted 8 years ago by cyndisanch
12 replies | jump to latest

I love this show very much, my childhood big time. But here goes: Why, please explain to me, oh why is Ward Bond not listed first as top cast? And why is Ward Bond's picture not used for the series instead of John McIntire(sp?)? Yes, I know Ward Bond died and didn't do more shows as Wagon Master, but for Pete's sake Ward Bond WAS Wagon Train! I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be yucky, really I'm not. It's just that my heart kind of breaks every time I come here to read about cast members in a particular episode, or read the great boards on this site. Sigh, IDK, it just bothers me. Ward Bond to me is one of the top character actors in my book. Though I love John McIntire and think he is a fine actor, Ward Bond was the real star of Wagon Train, along with the great actors who starred in so many episodes. Okay, I'm done. RIP Ward Bond 1903-1960.

[–] mactach 8 years ago

Whatever.

[–] ben-thayer 8 years ago

Not a good answer for the OP's question. And it's a valid question.

In truth I've wondered the same thing over the years, why is John McIntyre's photo on the WT page rather than Ward Bond's?

The photo appears to come from a Classic TV Series compilation DVD for Wagon Train, with episodes from seasons 5&6. http://www.amazon.com/Wagon-Train-John-McIntire/dp/B0002W4U20/ref=sr_1_14?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1462817021&sr=1-14&keywords=wagon+train

The OP is correct in saying the series was a vehicle for Mr. Bond, it was his series and he was the star with hundreds of roles played over nearly 30 years. Robert Horton *became* a star on the show, but had only really been acting steadily for around 5 years when he landed the role of Flint (not counting the one uncredited role he had in 1945).

Sometimes a series or a film here will show a photo from a VHS or DVD related to the show, and pics from compilation VHS/DVDs can be seen frequently since those were typically available a lot sooner than official season or boxed sets. Some of these pics may not be the best pic for the title, but in some cases once a pic has been posted no one really pushes to get the modmins to change it. This appears to be the case here. Plus, getting the modmins to change something like this is nearly impossible. It's hard enough to get them to edit an incorrect entry...I tried to correct a quote on the Stagecoach page for several years with no success.

For example, take a look at the Death Valley Days page. The pic doesn't appear to be specifically related to the show at all, and in truth could be from just about *anything*. Actually it's a still from one of the 1st season eps, Claim Jumpin' Jennie. But why they don't have a pic of the 20 mule train full of borax is a mystery, since that image is at the start of every episode.

[–] kelly4649 8 years ago

as a fan of the original broadcasts I too think the OP has a good point. Ward Bond along with his on screen chemistry with Robert Horton, another great casting choice, MADE Wagon Train. They should both be top listed cast in any article about this great show.

[–] sjbradford 8 years ago

IMDb lists cast in order of number of appearances. That's why Frank McGrath is on top, and why McIntire is listed before Bond. They appeared in more episodes than Bond.

Same situation for The Waltons, where the actor who played Jason is listed first, before any of the leads like Richard Thomas, Ralph Waite, and Michael Learned. He was a cast member longer and appeared in all the episodes.

[–] ben-thayer 8 years ago

Somehow I didn't notice the OP asked why Ward Bond's *name* wasn't at the top of the cast list...I only noticed the question about the picture.

Cast lists are typically correct for the most part. Pictures for shows or performers however are all over the place. The picture on the page for Marc Lawrence isn't him...it's someone else. Or check the page for Lori Nelson (one of the Steele daughters)...it has the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Good examples of how some pictures here leave a lot to be desired.

[–] Observer_2020 7 years ago

I'm not that familiar with this show, but if you feel the photo or other info on the page should be changed, it's better to contact IMDb staff or submit edits along with solid evidence for why you think the changes are needed.

Posting a thread is unlikely to get the photo or page changed.

[–] TennesseeTarheel 7 years ago

From what I've read, Ward Bond was a cantankerous so-and-so on the set. I read this in an interview with Robert Fuller. No love lost there.

[–] TennesseeTarheel 7 years ago

From what I've read, Ward Bond was a cantankerous so-and-so on the set. I read this in an interview with Robert Fuller. No love lost there.

[–] ben-thayer 7 years ago

I read this in an interview with Robert Fuller.

Did you mean Robert Horton? His contentious relationship with Ward Bond is well documented.

But Fuller did guest star on WT twice before he started Laramie, so he may have said the same thing about Bond.

[–] LarrupinLou 7 years ago

The answer may just be that they wanted a color photo and there wasn't a publicity shot of Ward Bond from the show.

No blah, blah, blah!

[–] SarahBryantfan 7 years ago

I recently bought six of the eight seasons on DVD. The answer to the OP's question is probably because Ward Bond was the head man for seasons 1-3 and maybe a little more than half of season four. Hence, he was the boss for less than 50% of the show's run and McIntyre was the wagon master for more than 50%.

[–] LarrupinLou 7 years ago

I recently bought six of the eight seasons on DVD. The answer to the OP's question is probably because Ward Bond was the head man for seasons 1-3 and maybe a little more than half of season four. Hence, he was the boss for less than 50% of the show's run and McIntyre was the wagon master for more than 50%.

Makes perfect sense to me, Sarah.

No blah, blah, blah!