IMDb > The Covered Wagon (1923)

The Covered Wagon (1923) More at IMDbPro »

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   140 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
James Cruze
Writers:
Emerson Hough (novel)
Jack Cunningham (adaptation)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Covered Wagon on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
8 September 1924 (USA) more
Genre:
Adventure | Romance | Western more
Tagline:
Indian Attacks, Prairie Fires, Fording of Swollen Streams, a Great Buffalo Hunt, Dramatic Situations Galore---All Go to Make Up "The Covered Wagon" more
Plot:
Two wagon caravans converge at what is now Kansas City, and combine for the westward push to Oregon... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
2 wins more
User Reviews:
Circle the Wagons more (3 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)
J. Warren Kerrigan ... Will Banion
Lois Wilson ... Molly Wingate
Alan Hale ... Sam Woodhull
Ernest Torrence ... William Jackson
Tully Marshall ... Jim Bridger
Ethel Wales ... Mrs. Wingate
Charles Ogle ... Jesse Wingate
Guy Oliver ... Kit Carson
Johnny Fox ... Jed Wingate
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
James Cruze ... Indian (scenes deleted)
Frank Albertson ... Bit (uncredited)
Constance Wilson ... Extra (uncredited)
Create a character page for: ?

Directed by
James Cruze 
 
Writing credits
Emerson Hough (novel)

Jack Cunningham (adaptation)

Produced by
Jesse L. Lasky .... producer
 
Original Music by
Manny Baer 
Hugo Riesenfeld 
J.S. Zamecnik 
 
Cinematography by
Karl Brown 
 
Film Editing by
Dorothy Arzner 
 
Costume Design by
Howard Greer 
 
Art Department
Delmer Daves .... props
 
Stunts
Jack Padjan .... stunt double: J. Warren Kerrigan (as Jack Padjeon)
Spike Spackman .... stunts (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Edwin W. Willat .... still photographer
Irvin Willat .... assistant camera
 
Other crew
Ennice G. Anderson .... historical advisor
Tim McCoy .... liaison: Indians
A.E. Sheldon .... historical advisor
Yakima Jim .... technical advisor (uncredited)
Ed Jones .... technical advisor (uncredited)
 

Production CompaniesDistributors
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
A Caravana Gloriosa (Portugal) [pt]
Die Karawane (Germany) [de]
Die Karawane des Westens (Austria) [de]
I pionieri (Italy) [it]
Karawana (Poland) [pl]
La caravana de Oregón (Spain) [es]
La caravane vers l'Ouest (France) [fr]
more
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
98 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Silent | De Forest Phonofilm
Certification:
Portugal:17 (director's cut)
Filming Locations:
Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA more
Company:
Famous Players-Lasky Corporation more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
J. Warren Kerrigan had fallen out of favor with the industry by the time he was cast in this film. James Cruze, with who he had a long friendship and professional relationship, cast him more or less as a favor. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Movie Memories (1935) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
7 out of 9 people found the following review useful.
Circle the Wagons, 23 September 1999
Author: Brian J. Smith from Gloucester, Ontario, Canada

The first great western epic, The Covered Wagon established many of the cliches that appear in many subsequent westerns, both "A" and "B" features alike.

Here for the first time, we have the wagon train of eastern settlers trekking west in search of a new land and a new start. We have the circling of the wagons in preparation for the Indian attack, the attack itself and the ride to the rescue of the besieged wagons.

Cruze captures the feel of what a real wagon train journey must have been like. The long lines of slow moving covered wagons, the dusty trails, life and death situations on the prairie, as well as the celebrations around the campfire.

The sub-plot of boy-girl-villain is "B" western calibre, however, the players carry it of admirably. J. Warren Kerrigan as the hero is adequate but not memorable. The lovely Lois Wilson as the heroine and a young Alan Hale as the villain are much better. It is curious that the Cruze portrayed legendary mountain man Jim Bridger (Tully Marshall) as an absent-minded, liquor swilling comedy relief.

The ending is strictly Hollywood. Boy gets girl of course and the villain is defeated, but I thought that the final shoot-out left a little to be desired.

Despite its apparent faults, The Covered Wagon remains today as powerful a film as it must have been in 1923.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (3 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Covered Wagon (1923)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Painted Stallion Heroes of the West The Phantom Rider Stardust Fighting Caravans
IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Adventure section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.