| Westward Ho, the Wagons! | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | William Beaudine |
| Produced by | Bill Walsh |
| Written by | Tom Blackburn Mary Jane Carr (novel) |
| Starring | Fess Parker Kathleen Crowley Jeff York David Stollery Sebastian Cabot George Reeves |
| Music by | Edward H. Plumb Paul J. Smith |
| Cinematography | Charles P. Boyle |
| Editing by | Cotton Warburton |
| Studio | Walt Disney Productions |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution Co. Inc. |
| Release date(s) | December 20, 1956 |
| Running time | 90 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Westward Ho, the Wagons! is a 1956 live-action Disney western film, aimed at family audiences. Based on Mary Jane Carr's novel Children of the Covered Wagon, the film was produced by Bill Walsh, directed by William Beaudine, and released to theatres on December 20, 1956 by Buena Vista Distribution Company.
This western was released on videotape March 18, 1997. It was shot in Janss Conejo Ranch, California.
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Summary: A wagon train must find another way than fighting to cross hostile Pawnee territory in 19th Century America.
A small group of families join together to travel to Oregon in 1846. Their leader is ostensibly James Stephen (George Reeves, TV's Superman), who has made the trip before, and is now bringing his family along. John Grayson (Fess Parker), known as Doc for his ambition to study medicine, however, proves to be the real leader of the wagon train.
The pioneers deal with the elements and occasional raids, but after hostile Pawnees drive off their spare horses, they realize they may not make it to the Oregon Territory. While stopping at Fort Laramie, the pioneer children make friends with Sioux children. After the Sioux chief's son is injured in an accident, Doc Grayson helps heal him, earning the trust of the Sioux. As the story ends, the Sioux warriors escort the wagon train safely through Pawnee territory.