Saturday, September 07, 2013

Saturday Morning Western Pulp: Wagon Train, July 1960


The Fictionmags Index lists this as a pulp, and it may well have been what passed for one in 1960, slightly smaller than the classic pulp size and with trimmed edges. Or maybe it was a full-fledged pulp. I don't know because I've never seen a copy. Anyone? Walker Martin?

Anyway, if it really was a pulp, it must have been the only one ever based on a TV show. (There was a Lone Ranger pulp, of course, but it predated the TV version and was based on the radio show.) That's Major Adams, Ward Bond his own self on the cover, and there's a Wagon Train tie-in story by Robert Turner. The issue also features well-known Western authors Wayne D. Overholser, J.L. Bouma, and Cliff Farrell, plus prolific pulpster Bryce Walton and an author probably best known for his digest and paperback work, Bruce Cassidy.

6 comments:

Walker Martin said...

I remember this title and it can be considered pulp. Lasting only one issue, there were also a couple other magazines based on popular TV series of the time. I forget their names but the format was pulp, maybe a little smaller with trimmed edges and the paper slightly better quality.

1960 was right in the middle of the digest era so it's puzzling about what the publishers were thinking. The pulp era was definitely over. Ranch Romances was still around but that was it.

Duane Spurlock said...

Who was "Great American Publ" ? not familiar with that publisher.

RJR said...

Bruce Cassidy was a helluva nice man, and a very talented writer.

RJR

Unknown said...

James, Your flash.net address is refusing to accept my response to your last email. I'm told "The mail system will continue to try to deliver your message
for an additional 44 hours." My main point is that yes, the gentleman concerned is the person you had in mind. But there was some other advice, too. Most frustrating! ...And now, I suppose, irritating for everyone else having to read this.

James Reasoner said...

Keith,
I don't know why e-mail communication between us seems to be jinxed. And the first couple of messages yesterday worked so well! But I appreciate the information and maybe the last one you sent will get through eventually. I'm going to work on a better alternative.

jurinummelin said...

77 Sunset Strip had a magazine IIRC.