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27-543: The song was featured in the 1950 Republic Western Singing Guns (where it was sung by Vaughn Monroe ) and nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1950, but lost out to " Mona Lisa ". Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. Charting versions were recorded by Frankie Laine , Bing Crosby , Tennessee Ernie Ford , and Vaughn Monroe . Frankie Laine and

54-479: A 1950 American Trucolor Western film directed by R. G. Springsteen and starring Vaughn Monroe . The film features three songs by Monroe. " Mule Train ", one of the songs featured in this 1950 Republic Western and sung by Vaughn Monroe , was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1950, but lost out to " Mona Lisa " from Captain Carey, U.S.A. . A wanted outlaw named Rhiannon has stashed

81-580: A 45rpm single (catalog number 47-3106) (in the United States). It was released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 9836. The record first reached the Billboard chart on November 18, 1949 and lasted nine weeks on the listing, peaking at number 10. Monroe also sang the song in the 1950 Republic Western Singing Guns . He played an outlaw who became town marshal with

108-414: A change of heart and decides not to rob the stage. Caradac arrests him anyway and warns him that he will be charged with stagecoach robbery unless he reveals the location of his hideout and the gold, but Rhiannon refuses to talk. Later, Nan with the aid of Mike helps Rhiannon escape from jail, and by pretending to be romantically interested in him, convinces him to take her to his hideout where he has hidden

135-556: A drunken man, Mike Murphy from her saloon. He also confronts the local man who manages the local branch of the mining company, Richards. By Sunday morning, the jail is packed with drunks, so Rhiannon releases them and makes each one promise to attend church or face a $ 10 fine. When the Great Western Mine catches on fire and several miners are trapped inside, Rhiannon risks his own life to save them, including Mike. Seeing him with his face half covered, Nan recognizes Rhiannon as

162-538: A million dollars worth of gold stolen from the Great Western Mining Company. The sheriff from the nearby town of Goldville, Jim Caradac, hides inside a stagecoach reported to be carrying more of the company's gold. Rhiannon hold up a stagecoach carrying Caradac and Caradac's girlfriend, Nan Morgan. Caradac attempts to stop the robbery, but Rhiannon quickly disarms him. When he opens the strong box and finds only sand inside, Rhiannon decides to teach

189-633: A recording in Australia in February, 1950, which was released by Pacific Records (in Australia). The song was subsequently recorded in England by Frank Ifield in the 1960s. In 1950, Gene Autry sang the tune in a film of the same title. In 1950, a satirical version of the song, "Chinese Mule Train," was recorded by Spike Jones and his City Slickers, with banjoist Freddy Morgan (misspelled on

216-493: Is glad that Rhiannon has gone straight. Mule Train Written by Johnny Lange , Fred Glickman and Hy Heath Sung by Vaughn Monroe Singing My Way Back Home Written by Vaughn Monroe (as Wilton Moore) and Al Vann (as Al Van) Sung by Vaughn Monroe Mexicali Trail Written by Sunny Skylar and Vaughn Monroe (as Wilton Moore) Sung by Vaughn Monroe Les Welch Lesley Welch (6 August 1925 – 1 September 2014)

243-471: Is often cited as an outstanding early example of studio production techniques. The Bing Crosby version was recorded on October 26, 1949, and released by Decca Records as catalog number 24798. The flip side was " Dear Hearts and Gentle People " which peaked at number 2. The record first reached the Billboard chart on November 25, 1949 and lasted 16 weeks on the chart, peaking at number 4. This recording

270-497: The Billboard country chart, reaching number 1 in December, becoming the first song to top the component "Country & Western Records Most Played By Folk Disk Jockeys" chart (on December 10, 1949). Like Laine's version, Ford's version contained whipcracking sound effects and shouting by the driver as he spurs on the mules. Vaughn Monroe 's version was released by RCA Victor Records as a 78rpm single (catalog number 20-3600A) and

297-404: The $ 50,000 reward. The doctor confronts Rhiannon about his past and Rhiannon tells him how the Great Western Mining Company had claim-jumped him twice and the law had done nothing about it. Caradac allows Rhiannon to ride out with the gold shipment intent on following Rhiannon to the gold. The doctor follows the stage and gives Rhiannon a prescription to fill when he delivers the gold, Rhiannon has

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324-649: The 1950s, Welch performed with his jazz band at concerts targeted towards a teenage audience, but that were popular with all ages. When he left Festival, Welch led the studio orchestra at the Seven Network in Sydney and later worked for Reg Grundy producing game shows. Welch was later called "the Invisible Man of Australian music history" and "Australia's great anticipator of rock'n'roll" for his early work performing rock music in Australia. In 1950 he

351-459: The 1980s. Bob Blackman appeared on numerous British light entertainment programmes in the 1970s, singing "Mule Train" whilst hitting his head with a tin tray. Comedy duo Bob and Ray released a version locally in Boston in 1949, with Ray Goulding singing in the character of Mary McGoon. When Al Jolson appeared on Bing Crosby's radio show, he attributed his receiving the award to his being

378-608: The Muleskinners' version was recorded on October 2, 1949, and released by Mercury Records as catalog number 5345. This version first reached the Billboard chart on November 4, 1949 and lasted 13 weeks on the chart, peaking at number 1. Laine's recording of the song was produced by Mitch Miller . It featured a bellowed vocal delivery (like that of a real driver shouting to be heard) and studio -created gimmicks such as whipcracking sound effects . Critic Ralph J. Gleason called it "an early rock and roll hit for adults". It

405-449: The barrel of a six-shooter. When Caradac tries to convince him to take him to the hidden gold, Rhiannon manages to knock him off balance and shoots him. Rhiannon takes Caradac to Dr. Jonathan Mark, who is also the town preacher. Rhiannon tells the doctor that his name is John Gwyn and that he found Caradac by chance while he was riding. The doctor says that Caradac needs a blood transfusion and the doctor 'convinces' Rhiannon to volunteer to be

432-496: The donor by drugging him. When he wakes, Rhiannon discovers his gun is missing, and the doctor explains that he drugged him to prevent him from changing his mind about the transfusion. A judge then enters the room to deputize Rhiannon, and he agrees to take up Caradac's duties until he can return to work. Rhiannon agrees so he will have to opportunity to rob a large shipment meant to go out in three weeks. That evening, Rhiannon receives his first call from Nan, who asks for help ejecting

459-420: The gloating Caradac a lesson. He follows the stage to the edge of town and forces Caradac to walk down the middle of the street dressed in a pair of women's underwear, much to the amusement of the residents. Caradac chases Rhiannon who gets the drop on him and shoots him from a distance. Rhiannon later returns to bury the lawman. Rhiannon approaches the body and rolls Caradac over only to find himself staring down

486-530: The intent of stealing a shipment of gold, and sang the song while at the reins of what appeared to be a stagecoach. Woody Herman and The King Cole Trio , with Irving Ashby , Joe Comfort and Gene Orloff, made a recording of "Mule Train" on November 7, 1949 in New York City, as well as the track "My Baby Just Cares For Me", which were both released by Capitol Records as a single, catalog number 787, which gave label credit to Herman for "Mule Train" and to

513-400: The only singer of any importance not to make a record of "Mule Train", which had been a widely covered hit of that year (four different versions, one of them by Crosby, had made the top ten on the charts). Jolson joked about how his voice had deepened with age, saying "I got the clippetys all right, but I can't clop like I used to."[citation needed] Singing Guns Singing Guns is

540-424: The outlaw who attacked her stagecoach and decides to report it to Jim, who has since partially recovered. The doctor has known all along and wanted to work on convincing Rhiannon to go straight. Caradac agrees to allow the doctor to continue to try, but says he must get him to give up the gold before the big shipment goes out. Nan also wants to convince him to give up the location of the gold, but only because she wants

567-534: The record like "Fleddy Morgan" as a joke) providing the Chinese-like vocals. It was issued on RCA Victor. The song appeared on Rod McKuen 's 1958 album Anywhere I Wander . In 1960, Bo Diddley recorded a version of the song, but it was not released until 2009. The instrumental backing track for this song, however, was released in 1960 as "Travelin' West". A reggae version was recorded by Count Prince Miller in 1971 and then again with Sly and Robbie in

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594-413: The stolen gold. Nan pistol whips Rhiannon and flees with the gold. Caradac reveals that he gave Nan the key to the jail cell and she will tell them location of the gold. Two days later, Rhiannon rides back to town and confronts Caradac believing that Caradac set him up with Nan. Caradac, believing Nan has double-crossed him, has spent the last two days in the saloon. Rhiannon and Caradac place their guns on

621-442: The table and agree to go for them the next time the saloon doors open. Doc beats them both to the guns and gives them a dressing down for their behavior. Richards gets the jump on them and tries to force Rhiannon to give up the location of gold. Caradac and Rhiannon fight together and defeat Richards and his men. Rhiannon surrenders himself, just as Nan and Mike return with a receipt for the gold. Caradac gives Rhiannon his blessing. Doc

648-476: The trio for "My Baby Just Cares For Me". Burl Ives recorded a version of the song in the 1950s, featuring the snapping of the whips, and yells. Gordon MacRae made a recording on October 21, 1949, which was released by Capitol Records in the United States as the flip side of the single " Dear Hearts and Gentle People " (which he also recorded on October 21, 1949). Les Welch and his Orchestra made

675-563: Was an Australian bandleader, singer, pianist and recording artist, popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Lesley Welch was born in England in Newcastle-on-Tyne , but his family moved to Australia when he was young, and settled in Gladesville, New South Wales . After teaching himself piano, Welch began playing blues at parties and nightclubs during the 1940s. He toured nationally, performing jazz and appearing on radio, and in 1948 he

702-473: Was featured in an episode of the NBC radio network radio program Lassie Show entitled "Mule Train", which aired on December 17, 1949. The Tennessee Ernie Ford version was recorded on October 18, 1949, and released by Capitol Records as catalog number 40258. The record first reached the Billboard chart on November 25, 1949 and lasted nine weeks on the chart, peaking at number 10. Ford's version also charted on

729-509: Was voted King of Swing at a Sydney Town Hall concert. He signed a lifetime contract with the Australian Record Company (ARC) in 1949, and by 1952 had already recorded over 200 songs for them. He left ARC to set up rival Festival Records that year, and worked as A&R . In 1953 his album Tempos de Barrelhouse , was released by Festival as one of the first records by an Australian artist pressed at 33 RPM . During

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