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John McIntire was the only actor Wagon Train producers ever considered to replace Ward Bond
“Becoming wagonmaster is a responsibility,” said McIntire.
The death of an actor hits hard for television audiences everywhere. For years, audiences tuned into Wagon Train to watch Ward Bond. Viewers saw the actor as a friend, a guide of their very own. While the series was never quite the same after Bond’s death in 1960, the show’s cast and crew were determined to continue on.
Bond’s role was filled by actor John McIntire, who took on the role of wagonmaster on the series. According to one of the show’s producers, McIntire was the first and only man considered for the job.
“After Ward’s death, I never had anyone else in mind to play the role except John McIntire,” said Wagon Train producer Howard Christie during an interview with The Decatur Daily Review. “I went to him first.”
It was a job that McIntire took very seriously, not only because of his love of the show but because of his respect for Bond.
“Becoming wagonmaster is a responsibility,” said McIntire. “Ward made him into a national figure. Naturally, I can’t play him like Bond and have no intention of doing so. Hale is going to be somewhat gentler than Seth Adams. However, I can’t go too far for fear gentleness will be mistaken for softness. We’re just going to have to work it out.”
Luckily, McIntire wasn’t just playing a character; he was reliving events from his childhood.“I was born on a ranch less than 100 miles from my place,” said the actor. “And my ranchhand, who runs the place, used to be my babysitter when I was a kid. So you see, I have roots here.” Ultimately, it seemed that Christie’s instincts were for the best; McIntire had earned the title of wagonmaster.
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