Where To Watch
Robert Horton wrote a biography on his Wagon Train character to help him prepare for the role
"Someone remarked that I wasn't the Western type. I didn't disagree."
Surprisingly enough, when casting Scout Flint McCullough, Robert Horton wasn't the first choice of Wagon Train producers.
While Horton was a strong actor on the stage, some felt he seemed out of place starring in a Western.
In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald, Horton recounted his beginnings on the series, where the odds were stacked against him. Still, Horton was able to emerge victorious.
"Several months before the series started, I was suggested for the scout role," Horton said. "Someone remarked that I wasn't the Western type. I didn't disagree. But I was testing along with two dozen others and won the part."
But Horton was nothing if not a dedicated actor, and once he had rightfully earned the role of Flint, he made it his mission to learn everything about the character. Horton did what any dedicated actor would do: He literally wrote the book on McCullough.
"I took some time out to write a detailed biography of Flint McCullough and his personality traits." Horton's depiction of McCullough was so well done, that the Wagon Train writers began referencing it when writing new episodes for the show.
The character of Flint wasn't created from scratch, however, as Horton had a sort of man in mind when he was writing the biography. Ideally, the actor felt that his character would be the sort of man that he'd look up to, so viewers would as well. "I try to create the kind of man I most admire in life," he said. He is a man who is gentle and tender, but not afraid to show the tenderness that exists in all life. He is also brave - willing to fight for what is right."
Related
1 Comments
