This episode has EVERYTHING: a bizarre love story, mistaken identities, a man in drag, Mexican bandits, hostile Indians, hostile cowboys, shootouts, a wild stagecoach ride, impromptu comedy (Paget's "southern belle" routine at the Mexican border is a hoot), a dozen major plot twists (well, maybe 13), more fake "accents" than you can shake a stick at..it even has one of those maps that the camera zeros in on every now and again to show us the progress of the journey and the site of the next adventure! I felt like I was watching a feature movie with a cast of thousands all crammed into 60 minutes! A lot of tongue-in-cheek fun and well worth a look.
4 Reviews
Debra Paget
chrisbrwdr-907348 July 2021
Sojourn to Mexico
bkoganbing22 December 2017
When season 2 of Wagon Train began 3/4 of the Wagon Train regulars got back
east because they had been shanghaied and made part of a clipper ship crew. For
season 3 Ward Bond, Frank McGrath, and Terry Wilson decide to go by Clu Gulagher's stagecoach. What they don't expect is that Robert Horton will be
their driver.
But that's only the first surprise on the trip. Other passengers led by the beautiful Debra Paget hijack the stagecoach and they make a side trip to Mexico using the cover of the American stagecoach to deliver arms to Porfirio Diaz.
It's all quite disconcerting to Horton who thought he might like to get something going with Paget, but she's Porfiriarista first and foremost.
When outlaws attack the coach Bill Hawks jumps on the team to steady them when the reins are lost. A stunt like what Yakima Canutt did doubling for John Wayne in Stagecoach. As Terry Wilson was a stunt man before getting acting parts I wonder if he did his own stunt there.
As for Flint McCullough he's dressed in black like Johnny Cash instead of his usual fringe buckskin outfit. My guess is that they were using some movie footage and wanted his outfit to match what they were using. No idea what film it could have been.
An interesting beginning to Season 3.
But that's only the first surprise on the trip. Other passengers led by the beautiful Debra Paget hijack the stagecoach and they make a side trip to Mexico using the cover of the American stagecoach to deliver arms to Porfirio Diaz.
It's all quite disconcerting to Horton who thought he might like to get something going with Paget, but she's Porfiriarista first and foremost.
When outlaws attack the coach Bill Hawks jumps on the team to steady them when the reins are lost. A stunt like what Yakima Canutt did doubling for John Wayne in Stagecoach. As Terry Wilson was a stunt man before getting acting parts I wonder if he did his own stunt there.
As for Flint McCullough he's dressed in black like Johnny Cash instead of his usual fringe buckskin outfit. My guess is that they were using some movie footage and wanted his outfit to match what they were using. No idea what film it could have been.
An interesting beginning to Season 3.
Fastest Stagecoach in the West!
boatsgilhooley27 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Lots of action paired with a very fast stagecoach! Sam Francisco to St. Louis by way of Tucson is roughly 2300 miles (not counting a side trip to the Mexican border). In this episode, Flint, Major Adams, Charlie, and Bill cover the distance in 22 1/2 days. Phew!
If you don't worry too much about the time factor, it's an entertaining episode, with lots of action and some breathtaking stunt work.
There are a few plot holes. I've always wondered why experienced trail bosses, wagon masters, and military veterans know all about the hidden dangers of the frontier, but can't spot a man in drag sitting three feet from them!
Some solid performances in this one as well. Debra Paget is particularly good. If you notice a resemblance between her and Lisa Gaye, there is an easy answer. They are sisters.
Henry Darrow has what amounts to a cameo, eight years before High Chapparal, and you get to see Clu Gulager portray a good guy for once!
On a historical note, I found it ironic the revolutionaries were fighting for Porfirio Diaz. The rebels fighting for freedom and self-determination are supporting a man who ended democracy in Mexico for 40 years. Diaz was no friend to the poor and downtrodden. The insurgents could have found someone better suited for their cause.
If you don't worry too much about the time factor, it's an entertaining episode, with lots of action and some breathtaking stunt work.
There are a few plot holes. I've always wondered why experienced trail bosses, wagon masters, and military veterans know all about the hidden dangers of the frontier, but can't spot a man in drag sitting three feet from them!
Some solid performances in this one as well. Debra Paget is particularly good. If you notice a resemblance between her and Lisa Gaye, there is an easy answer. They are sisters.
Henry Darrow has what amounts to a cameo, eight years before High Chapparal, and you get to see Clu Gulager portray a good guy for once!
On a historical note, I found it ironic the revolutionaries were fighting for Porfirio Diaz. The rebels fighting for freedom and self-determination are supporting a man who ended democracy in Mexico for 40 years. Diaz was no friend to the poor and downtrodden. The insurgents could have found someone better suited for their cause.
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