Wagon Master (1950)
Overview
Two young horse traders guide a Mormon wagon train to the San Juan Valley and encounter rugged terrain, the cutthroat Clegg gang, hospitable Navajo, and moral challenges on the journey.
Cast
Ben Johnson
Travis Blue
Joanne Dru
Denver
Harry Carey, Jr.
Sandy
Ward Bond
Elder Wiggs
Charles Kemper
Uncle Shiloh Clegg
Alan Mowbray
Dr. A. Locksley Hall
Jane Darwell
Sister Ledyard
Ruth Clifford
Fleuretty Phyffe
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CinemaSerf
This is quite an unremarkable little pioneering yarn that sees two cowboys - Ben Johnson and Harry Carey Jr. guiding a Mormon caravan across the Wild West. En route they encounter a motley collection of folks with a medicine show - and the sultry Joanne Dru ("Miss Denver"); then a bunch of less savoury characters led by Charles Kemper ("Shiloh Clegg") before they are invited to join some Navajo at their camp - and that's where it all turns a bit sour with our two gallant lads left to try to protect the travellers from the vengeful "Cleggs". John Ford seems to have lost his way with this pretty fluffy amalgam of stories; there's way too much singing and not enough action - and it lacks an anchor; either a John Wayne or a Henry Fonda - someone just to inject some strength of character to it. Even the score drifts along aimlessly, too. Ward Bond and Hank Worden do their best to keep the "Rio Grande" spirit flowing, but it's all just a bit too tepid.
