i first saw this movie on tv back in 1959 when i be eight year old . i know nothing of western then but recognize ben johnson from the movie mighty joe young . what attract me to wagon master be the great song sing by the son of the pioneer . merian c. cooper and who produce the movie and be the first to commission original music to fit the mood of a specific scene and so create the modern movie soundtrack . cooper hire max steiner to create the mood for his classic creation king kong . steiner would later win an oscar for the theme for go with the wind . cooper be also the producer of mighty joe young . if you remember and music be important to the big ape which would only respond to the sound of stephan foster beautiful dreamer . in 1947 and cooper would partner with john ford and who direct wagon master . of all of ford famous western and this one be my favorite which feature his brother francis and a sullen janes arness .