User Reviews

"The Jose Morales Story" was a rare leading role for Terry Wilson's Bill Hawks (Ward Bond only appearing at the very end), leading just three wagons through dangerous Mescalero Apache territory. One wagon belongs to a family of Quakers, another to grumpy old trader Louis Roque (Lon Chaney), who fears they've taken a wrong turn by following Hawks. As it happens, they encounter trouble all right, but from a quartet of Mexican bandits led by Jose Morales (Lee Marvin), who remembers Roque from 30 years before, on opposite sides at The Alamo, when Roque left Morales with a scar he would never forget. It's a terrific match between Marvin and Chaney, who puts up a stirring defense for the men who didn't want to die by going over the wall. Once the wagons do meet the Apaches, both enemies bond against a common threat, and wind up doing a noble deed on behalf of the others. Extremely busy in TV Westerns, Lon Chaney was only 54, but plays and looks much older (grey at both temples), while Lee Marvin was still two years away from his legendary "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance." Virgil W. Vogel directed, while STAR TREK's Gene L. Coon scripted, one of his 23 WAGON TRAINs (he was only credited with 13 TREKs).

Ward Bond and Robert Horton give it a rest in this episode of Wagon Train as Terry Wilson as Bill Hawks takes the center stage. Lee Marvin and Lon Chaney, Jr. star in The Jose Morales Story where Terry Wilson takes a group of three wagons off on a side route as they are not making the whole trip to California.

There are Mescalero Apaches in the area, but what Hawks doesn't count on is being jumped by a group of Mexican bandits headed by Lee Marvin. They disarm him and hope to use the wagons as cover in a getaway, but the Mescaleros interfere with everyone's plans.

The three wagons contain a doctor, Steven Darrell in one, a Quaker family Clark Howatt, Aline Towne and young Charles Herbert in the other and a misanthropic old merchant, Lon Chaney Jr. in the third. Marvin recognizes Chaney, he's not likely to forget him, he gave him a saber cut way back at the Alamo when Marvin was a soldier with Santa Anna and Chaney was going over the wall.

There's been long speculation about whether someone did take William Travis's offer about going over the wall. Wilson who's been raised on the stories of the bravery of the Alamo defenders doesn't like hearing a frontier myth shattered. This is The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance syndrome of when the legend becomes fact, print the legend. Ironic indeed that it's the man who played Liberty Valance shattering the myth.

The travelers take refuge in an abandoned stagecoach line station. Some life or death decisions have to be made. Everybody starts reexamining certain beliefs with the notable exception of Howatt.

The Jose Morales Story is a finely written drama from the Wagon Train series. And it's always nice to see one of the other regulars get center stage away from the stars.

The story line was thought provoking and the characters made you examine long held assumptions about history. I enjoyed seeing Terry Wilson as the central character. He was my favorite cast member and I felt he should have been given more opportunities to be a central character.

This episode has Lee Marvin & Lon Chaney,Jr. as guest stars. Both are at the top of their game with Marvin portraying a Mexican bandit who has waylaid 3 wagons being lead by Bill Hawkes (Terry Wilson). One of the wagons is owned by Chaney's character who is basically a trader hoping to take advantage of settlers with his wagon of goods.

Marvin & Chaney know each other from the Alamo; Hawkes can't believe that Chaney ran, rather than fight to the death. When the 2 groups must fight off an Indian attack together, many assumptions & beliefs about people & their humanity are challenged. It must be noted, a Quaker family that has come to help the Indians is part of the group.

The exchanges in conversation between the men is fascinating and shows how prejudices begin &, in turn, can be changed.

Also, love that Terry Wilson is given the chance to be the lead in an episode. His character is very much the strong, silent type, but while he has the strength of his convictions to stand on; he also is able to be compassionate & able to learn from his mistakes & life as it comes at him.

How many men took Colonel Travis' (of Alamo's fame) offer and went over the wall? How has history shaped our views of the story? Is it correct or does it lack something? I agree with previous posters, that this is an excellent episode. For one reason, it starred Terry Wilson who was away from the other cast members.

cma

The themes Wagon Train covers are so timeless and universal. It's just one of the best shows ever - and one gets a fabulous history lesson (of sorts) in each episode. I never knew Lon was such a good actor. Lee Marvin is his usual blustery character, which works well for Jose's character. The message, not political or crammed down your throat like today's "entertainment" is good too! Definitely stick it through to the end even if you think it's not so interesting at first.