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About This Episode
The Colter Craven Story is unique. Most obviously because it was directed by legendary John Ford as a testament to his friendship with Ward Bond and John Wayne, who promoted the idea. The three had known each other since 1928. Only his second TV project (the first was a failed Screen Directors Playhouse in 1955) Ford expressed pleasure with the outcome. And he claimed Wayne's appearance on the set to play General Sherman was a surprise to him.

Known for his prodigous but speedy output, Ford delivered 72 minutes of film in six days, one extra shooting day than normally allowed. It was so good that there was talk of spending a little more time and money and turning it into a two-parter. According to Bond, at the last minute 15 minutes was cut instead.

The Plot
Major Adams finds Dr. Colter Craven and his wife by their broken down wagon and invites them to join the train. Although he aids an injured boy, when it becomes necessary to perform a Caesarian section, he refuses to pick up a surgical scalpel. Distraught after what he has seen in the Civil War, he prefers to drown his sorrrows in a bottle.

This prompts Major Adams to recount the story of his old friend Sam, who overcame a drinking problem to become President Ulysses S. Grant. (Historical note - Ulysses S. Grant did move to Galena, Illinois in 1860 to clerk in his father's store.)

From TV Guide. John Ford discusses a scene with Ward Bond.

Dr. and Mrs. Colter Craven. Played by Carleton Young and Anna Lee.

The Major argues with Paul Cleatus about water for the train. At right is Ken Curtis, a member of the John Ford stock company and John Ford's son-in-law. But you know him better as Festus from Gunsmoke.

John Carradine as Paul Cleatus is giving the Major a hard time.

And the Major is giving it right back.

Dr. Craven treats a boy on the train.

More John Ford stock company people. That's Hank Worden on the right. He played Mose Harper in the Searchers.

The Major, resplendent in his militia uniform, discusses drinking and war with "Sam" Grant.

The Major runs into his old friend Sam after Shiloh. Only now he is General Grant. In this scene, Seth Adams receives a battlefield promotion to Major.

And here, shown in shadow is John Wayne as General Sherman. Click Here to Listen to the audio clip of this and the pic at left. (In Windows Media Player)

Paul Birch as Ulysses S. "Sam" Grant

A happily recovered Colter Craven.

Click for Pictures of John Ford's vision of the Wagon Train as filmed expensively for this episode.

The Colter Craven Story (ep. #4.9) 11/23/1960 Written by Tony Paulson Directed by John Ford Produced by Howard Christie Carleton Young as Colter Craven Anna Lee as Mrs. Craven Paul Birch as Sam Grant Annelle Hayes as Mrs. Grant Willis Bouchey as Jesse Mae Marsh as Mrs. Jesse Grant Ken Curtis as Kyle Cliff Lyons as Creel Jack Pennick as Drill Sgt. John Carradine as Park Cleatus Charles Seel as Mort Hank Worden as Shelley Chuck Robertson as Junior Richard Cutting as Col. Lollier Dennis Rush as Jamie John Wayne as Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman ( credit as Michael Morris)

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