The start of principal photography was reported by the 20 March 1929 Film Daily. An article in the 23 March 1929 Universal Weekly claimed that the scenario was based on a novel by Marion Jackson, who was credited with the original story. No evidence of the novel’s publication could be determined from available sources. The film marked lead actor Ken Maynard’s first talking picture, as well as his first production for Universal Pictures Corp. An item in the 29 June 1929 Hollywood Filmograph later noted that it was the first in a series of eight for the studio.
       The July 1929 Screenland revealed that location filming took place in Lone Pine, CA; the company stayed at the Dow Hotel. Maynard had originally intended to fly to the location in his open airplane but was discouraged by unseasonably cold weather. Additional cast members included Edwin Moulton, Charlie Whittaker, Frank Cooley, Buck Bucko, Fred Burns, Bud McClure, Tom Bay, and Maynard’s horse, “Tarzan.” Also at Lone Pine were property man Bill Quinlan, assistant director Mack Wright , and production chief Sid Rogell. A photograph caption in the 6 April 1929 Exhibitors Herald-World stated that George Gillespie had also been added to the cast. The 29 June 1929 Universal Weekly reported the close of production.
       The Wagon Master was released on 8 September 1929. Universal Pictures general sales manager M. Van Praag later told the 26 October 1929 Universal Weekly that the film had been in high demand since its debut. The 2 November 1929 Exhibitors Herald-World stated that audiences throughout the U.S. sang along with Maynard’s onscreen performances of such folk songs as “Buffalo Gal,” “Little Liza Jane,” and “The Lone Star Trail.”
       Despite the film’s commercial success, exhibitor reports to the 12 April 1930 and 26 April 1930 issues of Exhibitors Herald-World revealed dissatisfaction with background music obscuring the dialogue, and the fact that the film was essentially a silent with talking sequences. A theater manager in Clinton, IA, simply dismissed the production as “just the same usual bunk.”
       An unrelated feature, titled Wagon Master, was released in 1950 (see entry).
       According to the Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, this film is extant.