Set in turn-of-the-century rural America, The Missouri Traveler follows runaway orphan Biarn Turner (Brandon DeWilde) as he drifts into a small town and finds himself caught between two very different influences. One is a gruff, self-made landowner, Tobias Brown (Lee Marvin), whose strict, uncompromising methods mask a deeper concern for the boy's future. The other is Doyle Magee (Gary Merrill), a sharp-tongued newspaper editor. As Biarn is pulled between discipline and compassion, hard lessons are learned on all sides. Featuring a memorable performance by Lee Marvin, great supporting characters, and a spirited trotting-race finale that erupts into full-blown town chaos.