I can barely remember the t.v. show Dusty's Trail that this film was based on, yet i do remember seeing this flim promoted on t.v. I can also recall the voice over guy bragging that"Gilligan was never this funny"[Then seeing Bob Denver tossed off a horse into a tub of water}.I always thought that this was a film that was based on the show,but all they did was put four shows together and made a movie. People have already said that the show and this film was ripping off Gilligan's Island yet with Sherwood Schwartz and Bob Denver both taking part it's more like there were just trying what worked before.The film copy that i have is very faded yet the old gags and bad jokes are here,some work,some don't but thats what happened on Gilligan's Island.I give this film a 3 but just think that Dusty is Gilligan's great,great grandfather and you will find it a little better.
11 Reviews
Fun Family Movie!
wizardwizard30 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
It *IS* true, this movie is NOT Citizen Kane, BUT, it is a VERY FUN Family Movie! As a parent, I was always on the lookout for various types of movies that I could keep in the house without having to explain explicit sexual situations, violence, foul language, ad nauseum.
This is light fare, silly, vastly amusing even lots of groaning! You can watch it with the kids, with the grandparents, with your favorite religious leader totally without embarrassment. It's a feel-good type movie. If you're the type of parent who likes to use situations as teaching/learning moments, there's great opportunities to do this here.
I saw this as a teen and remembered it fondly. Saw it again with the kidlets and enjoyed it. Would I bring my film-critics meetup over to watch it? Nope. Was there laughter and groaning? Yep.
Am I glad I kept it in the house? Yep.
My favorite scene? Half way through when the narrator uses the map to show where everyone is located and why. Why is that funny? You watch it and tell me!
This is light fare, silly, vastly amusing even lots of groaning! You can watch it with the kids, with the grandparents, with your favorite religious leader totally without embarrassment. It's a feel-good type movie. If you're the type of parent who likes to use situations as teaching/learning moments, there's great opportunities to do this here.
I saw this as a teen and remembered it fondly. Saw it again with the kidlets and enjoyed it. Would I bring my film-critics meetup over to watch it? Nope. Was there laughter and groaning? Yep.
Am I glad I kept it in the house? Yep.
My favorite scene? Half way through when the narrator uses the map to show where everyone is located and why. Why is that funny? You watch it and tell me!
Another Movie Stitching Episodes Together
jeremycrimsonfox21 December 2022
The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West is another movie that goes and stitches four episodes of a TV series together (which aired in 1973). Here, we have four episodes of Dusty's Trail, a western comedy that lasted only 26 episodes due to the fact that it was nothing but an attempt at rewriting the beloved Gilligan's Island in a different genre (even down to casting Bob Denver, who played the silly, yet lovable Gilligan, as Dusty).
Basically, this "movie", as it's called, takes four episodes and tries to tie them together, removing the laugh track. The episodes are Tomahawk Territory, Horse of Another Color, There Is Nothing Like a Dame, and The Not So Magnificent Seven. If you've seen Gilligan's Island, then you know this uses the exact same formula, as the wagon and stagecoach is lost because of Dusty's bumbling, and on its way to reunite with its wagon train, the plans are usually foiled by Dusty's bumbling. Also, the characters are the same archetypes of Gilligan's cast (The Brookhavens are basically the Howells, and wagonmaster Mr. Callahan is basically the same role as The Skipper, acting as Dusty's boss and big buddy). Despite the change in setting and era, it is clear why Dusty's Trail never got far, as it was blatantly Gilligan's island in the wild west with little to no changes to separate it from Gilligan, and this movie is possibly a failed attempt to try and revive the series (which obviously failed).
Basically, this "movie", as it's called, takes four episodes and tries to tie them together, removing the laugh track. The episodes are Tomahawk Territory, Horse of Another Color, There Is Nothing Like a Dame, and The Not So Magnificent Seven. If you've seen Gilligan's Island, then you know this uses the exact same formula, as the wagon and stagecoach is lost because of Dusty's bumbling, and on its way to reunite with its wagon train, the plans are usually foiled by Dusty's bumbling. Also, the characters are the same archetypes of Gilligan's cast (The Brookhavens are basically the Howells, and wagonmaster Mr. Callahan is basically the same role as The Skipper, acting as Dusty's boss and big buddy). Despite the change in setting and era, it is clear why Dusty's Trail never got far, as it was blatantly Gilligan's island in the wild west with little to no changes to separate it from Gilligan, and this movie is possibly a failed attempt to try and revive the series (which obviously failed).
Compilation of "Dusty's Trail" episodes
Ripshin21 May 2005
"Dusty's Trail" is a tepid rehash by Sherwood Schwartz of his earlier "success," "Gilligan's Island." The similarities are so blatant, it is hardly surprising that Bob Denver is playing the lead.
Each of "Gilligan's" seven characters has been transplanted to a very stereotyped Old West setting. Even many of the supporting characters in this "film" popped up on that remote island a decade earlier.
Check on the "Dusty's Trail" page for further comments of other users, and details of the actual show. (It aired in syndication during the 73/74 season; why this "movie" surfaced two years later, one can only guess.) I actually remember seeing the series during its first-run. One afternoon I sat with a bunch of neighborhood kids, viewing an episode, and we all agreed that it was a ripoff of "Gilligan," and not HALF as good.
Each of "Gilligan's" seven characters has been transplanted to a very stereotyped Old West setting. Even many of the supporting characters in this "film" popped up on that remote island a decade earlier.
Check on the "Dusty's Trail" page for further comments of other users, and details of the actual show. (It aired in syndication during the 73/74 season; why this "movie" surfaced two years later, one can only guess.) I actually remember seeing the series during its first-run. One afternoon I sat with a bunch of neighborhood kids, viewing an episode, and we all agreed that it was a ripoff of "Gilligan," and not HALF as good.
Just down right stupid.
michaelRokeefe9 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Let's say that I was in the room with no intention to watch this piece of stupidity. So outright dumb, you end up watching to see if it can get any worse;and you don't have long to wait. A four episode compilation from a TV project to capitalize on Bob Denver, who plays Dusty the half-wit trying to lead an 1880's wagon train to the land of "milk and honey". With Wagonmaster Callahan(Forrest Tucker)turning over the reins to Dusty the wagons get separated from the other wagons and proceed on a wacky trek west. Indians and horse thieves are just a part of the unfortunate and silly situations to be had. Also in the cast: Lori Saunders, Jeannine Riley, Ivor Francis, James Gammon, Eddie Little Sky and Don "Red" Barry.
Gillian's Island of the Wild West
kailuakid31 July 2022
This movie is bad. Maybe campy bad? Or do bad its not eligible to be campy? Immediately the viewer will have quasi fun assigning Gilligan's Island characters to the parallel universe's Wild West version. You man recognize the western version of Mary Ann to the actress that starred as Bobbie Jo in the 1960's TV show Petticoat Junction. The actor from the 1960's TV show F Troop plays the cowboy boot wearing Skipper in this film. After you do that, the fun stops and you'll find yourself open jawed thinking "was any of that actually funny when they shot this film"? Can't believe the film producers were peddling dated and predictable slap stick in 1976, as they were already dated in the early 60's with Gilligan's. Nevertheless if you're looking to watch ten minutes "of something" while doing some other activity like scrolling down Craigslist or FB Marketplace listings, this movie will provide the audio/visual noise that will tempt you to look at the TV as frequently as you might need to scratch your nose. I'm a fan of schlock but this film is so beyond that scale I wouldn't recommend you watch this if you want to sit down for 90 minutes and actually focus and concentrate on the storyline. Better to watch the OG versions of Gilligan's Island and/or F Troop.
Here on Gilligan's Wagon Train...It's the idiot bunch!
mark.waltz3 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
When a TV series fails, let it go, let it go. I'm assuming that "Dusty's Trail" was a short-lived sitcom in 1974 starring Bob Denver and Forrest Tucker, obviously replacing an unavailable Alan Hale, and as produced by Sherwood Schwartz, it ended up being compiled into a laugh trackless 90 minute movie that is short on laugh, absent on plots, and definitely a negative in the area of brain smarts. This makes the "Apple Dumpling Gang" movies look like Charlie Chaplin in comparison, and what was funny in the 1960s on TV obviously wasn't working in the 1970s on TV, and unless you were Disney, didn't work in movies either. Bob Denver, as likable as he is, became two old here to be playing another Gilligan type character, and the fact that he had to return to playing Gilligan after this in several TV movies is a sad twist in a career that I could have taken different routes had he changed the type of roles he was playing.
Of course, there are some lovely young ladies along to provide physical attractiveness to the cast of characters, but they don't have the spark that Dawn Wells and Tina Louise had on Gilligan's Island. Character actress Lynn Wood, a performer I am familiar with from soap operas, is an obvious attempt to bring in a Natalie Schafer like eccentricness, but she is given poor material. With the success of "Blazing Saddles" by Mel Brooks, the need was felt to cash in on that, but what was clever and intelligent in "Blazing Saddles" ends up as forced and ridiculous here.
Of course, there are some lovely young ladies along to provide physical attractiveness to the cast of characters, but they don't have the spark that Dawn Wells and Tina Louise had on Gilligan's Island. Character actress Lynn Wood, a performer I am familiar with from soap operas, is an obvious attempt to bring in a Natalie Schafer like eccentricness, but she is given poor material. With the success of "Blazing Saddles" by Mel Brooks, the need was felt to cash in on that, but what was clever and intelligent in "Blazing Saddles" ends up as forced and ridiculous here.
An attempt to out Gilligan Gilligan
cashbacher10 April 2021
This is a really bad movie. Bob Denver plays Dusty, a bumbling incompetent that is based on the Gilligan character of the sixties sitcom "Gilligan's Island." Unfortunately, the mishaps are even worse than what took place at the hands of Gilligan. Furthermore, they simply don't have the spark to generate a laugh as they are generally predictable.
Forrest Tucker plays Wagonmaster Callahan that is a combination of the skipper in "Gilligan's Island" as well as his role as Sergeant O'Rourke of "F-troop." He even wears his hat in the same manner as the Sergeant. Again, the role is old and tired.
Other characters are the very rich man and his elegant wife, (Thurston Howell and lovey from "Gilligan's Island,") the beautiful dance hall girl (Ginger), the plain girl, Mary Ann, and the smart man, (the professor.) Using recycled characters can work, but they clearly do not in this case.
The movie is boring, often plodding and predictable, it is hard to watch in one sitting.
Forrest Tucker plays Wagonmaster Callahan that is a combination of the skipper in "Gilligan's Island" as well as his role as Sergeant O'Rourke of "F-troop." He even wears his hat in the same manner as the Sergeant. Again, the role is old and tired.
Other characters are the very rich man and his elegant wife, (Thurston Howell and lovey from "Gilligan's Island,") the beautiful dance hall girl (Ginger), the plain girl, Mary Ann, and the smart man, (the professor.) Using recycled characters can work, but they clearly do not in this case.
The movie is boring, often plodding and predictable, it is hard to watch in one sitting.
Four Dusty's Trail episodes edited together (aka Gilligan in the Old West)
Wuchakk27 April 2018
RELEASED IN 1976, "The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West" is a compilation of four episodes of the Dusty's Trail TV series that ran for one season in 1973-1974. Producer Sherwood Schwartz tried to duplicate his success with Gilligan's Island by transplanting a similar group of seven people into the wild west: The wagon master (Forrest Tucker), his "little pal" subordinate (Bob Denver), an educated lawyer (Bill Cort), a saloon showgirl (Jeannine Riley), a winsome schoolmarm (Lori Saunders) and a filthy rich older couple (Ivor Francis & Lynn Wood). These seven are lost in the West, separated from their wagon train, and experience various misadventures.
While the characters are different enough for the show to work, the parallels are uncomfortably too close; moreover, the writing's nowhere near as good, and the show just lacks the magic of Gilligan's Island. It's basically a pale imitation. Nevertheless, it's worthwhile for Bob Denver fans; there are a few genuine laughs and Jeannine Riley is alluring as the showgirl (I prefer her to Ginger).
The episodes from Dusty's Trail, as featured in this movie, are in order: "Tomahawk Territory," "Horse of Another Color," "There is Nothing Like a Dame," and "The Not So Magnificent Seven." FYI: Only ONE of these episodes is included in The Almost Complete First (And Only) Season DVD set, which means you'll have to purchase the set AND this flick if you want all the episodes.
THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 36 minutes. I incidentally viewed the Catcom DVD and the video quality is horrible (speaking as someone who's easy to please in that department).
GRADE: C-
While the characters are different enough for the show to work, the parallels are uncomfortably too close; moreover, the writing's nowhere near as good, and the show just lacks the magic of Gilligan's Island. It's basically a pale imitation. Nevertheless, it's worthwhile for Bob Denver fans; there are a few genuine laughs and Jeannine Riley is alluring as the showgirl (I prefer her to Ginger).
The episodes from Dusty's Trail, as featured in this movie, are in order: "Tomahawk Territory," "Horse of Another Color," "There is Nothing Like a Dame," and "The Not So Magnificent Seven." FYI: Only ONE of these episodes is included in The Almost Complete First (And Only) Season DVD set, which means you'll have to purchase the set AND this flick if you want all the episodes.
THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 36 minutes. I incidentally viewed the Catcom DVD and the video quality is horrible (speaking as someone who's easy to please in that department).
GRADE: C-
Gilligan's Bile
NoDakTatum9 October 2023
To grasp the full awfulness of this western comedy, you could watch the "film," or hunker down with any four episodes of "Gilligan's Island." Either way- zero laughs. "The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West" is four episodes of the short-lived series "Dusty's Trail" edited together. What was "Dusty's Trail?" Think of it as "Gilligan's Island" out west. Dusty (Bob Denver) is Gilligan, Wagonmaster Callahan (Forrest Tucker) is the Skipper, dance hall girl Lulu (Jeannine Riley, who keeps attempting a Mae West impression and failing miserably) is Ginger, schoolmarm Betsy (Lori Saunders) is Mary Ann, the rich Brookhavens (Ivor Francis and Lynn Wood) are the Howells, and the bland Andy (William Cort) is the Professor. You have probably read this exact same comparison in other reviews, but I thought I was brilliant when I figured it out. I now realize my toddler daughter could have come to the same conclusion while taking a nap.
The four episodes have little in common, let alone enough to string together into a "movie." The wagon train is captured by Indians after they save the chief's son; Dusty is brought up on horse theft charges after he finds an Appaloosa; Dusty and Callahan dress like women to fool some lonely criminals; and three outlaws take over a town where the wagon train has stopped. The running joke is that the wagon train consists of one stagecoach and one wagon, and they are hopelessly lost. The middle two episodes rely very heavily on unconvincing indoor sets that look suspiciously like a certain tropical island set. Callahan calls the terminal screw-up Dusty "lil' pal" instead of "little buddy." The "film" credits four directors, five writers, and less laughs than a Holocaust film festival. The DVD is in public domain, easily attainable in the dollar section of your supermarket. Fight the urge, and avoid "The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West."
The four episodes have little in common, let alone enough to string together into a "movie." The wagon train is captured by Indians after they save the chief's son; Dusty is brought up on horse theft charges after he finds an Appaloosa; Dusty and Callahan dress like women to fool some lonely criminals; and three outlaws take over a town where the wagon train has stopped. The running joke is that the wagon train consists of one stagecoach and one wagon, and they are hopelessly lost. The middle two episodes rely very heavily on unconvincing indoor sets that look suspiciously like a certain tropical island set. Callahan calls the terminal screw-up Dusty "lil' pal" instead of "little buddy." The "film" credits four directors, five writers, and less laughs than a Holocaust film festival. The DVD is in public domain, easily attainable in the dollar section of your supermarket. Fight the urge, and avoid "The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West."
So join us here each week my friends, here on Gilligan's Connestoga!
google-7886711 August 2022
This was insipid, stupid, and lacked any of the charm of Gilligan's Island, AND YET we found ourselves watching the whole thing until the end.
It's the exact same formula as Gilligan. There is the leader (played by a guy who didn't get the role of Skipper,) the bumbling sidekick, the good girl, the bad girl, the know-it-all, the rich guy, and the wife who's entire identity is being married to the rich guy.
I'm not sure if we can call it a "rip-off" of Gilligan since this show is from Sherwood Schwartz also. Can you rip-off your own work? But it's obvious they just dusted off a few Gilligan scripts, scribbled out the words "hut" and "lagoon," penciled in "wagon" and "trail", and sent it to production.
It's the exact same formula as Gilligan. There is the leader (played by a guy who didn't get the role of Skipper,) the bumbling sidekick, the good girl, the bad girl, the know-it-all, the rich guy, and the wife who's entire identity is being married to the rich guy.
I'm not sure if we can call it a "rip-off" of Gilligan since this show is from Sherwood Schwartz also. Can you rip-off your own work? But it's obvious they just dusted off a few Gilligan scripts, scribbled out the words "hut" and "lagoon," penciled in "wagon" and "trail", and sent it to production.
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