Wild Heritage

Wild Heritage is a 1958 Western film based on a novel by Steve Frazee and starring Maureen O'Sullivan, Will Rogers, Jr., Rod McKuen and Troy Donahue.

The film tells the story of Emma Breslin (Maureen O'Sullivan) and her family, who cross the plains in a covered wagon. They make the fateful decision to pause in a lawless western town where Emma's husband, Jake (Paul Birch), is shot by rustlers Arn (John Beradino)and Jud. But folksy Judge Copeland (Will Rogers, Jr.) persuades them to go on. At Break Wagon Hill, their wagon does just that and they decide to homestead on the spot.

The movie follows the trials and joys of Emma and her family, as well as those of their neighbors, the Bascombs (Troy Donahue & Jeanette Nolan). Finally, violence reappears when Arn and Jud show up on their homestead, leading to a showdown with the Breslin Boys (Rod McKuen, Gary Gray & George Winslow).