Western Gunslingers in Fact and on Film: Hollywood's Famous Lawmen and Outlaws

by Buck Rainey

Overview

Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hickok, Belle Starr, Wyatt Earp, the Younger Gang, the Dalton-Doolin Gang and Bat Masterson--these real-life lawmen and lawbreakers have been the basis of so many Hollywood Westerns that it has become difficult to discover where the truth ends and the legend begins. All actually became larger-than-life characters during their lifetimes, as contemporary newspapers and books embellished their deeds for their own purposes. But it was in Hollywood that the line between reality and myth was completely blurred. Each chapter-length entry here first focuses on the known facts of the people's lives and how each became truly legendary during their lifetimes. The reality is then compared to how they have been portrayed in the movies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476603285
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	11/17/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	349
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

The late Buck Rainey wrote scores of articles for Western and serial fanzines and several books. He lived in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.
The late Buck Rainey wrote scores of articles for Western and serial fanzines and several books. He lived in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Introduction     

1. Billy the Kid     
2. The James-Younger Gang     
3. The Dalton-Doolin Gang     
4. Myra Belle Shirley Starr     
5. Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp     
6. James Butler (Wild Bill) Hickok     
7. William Barclay (Bat) Masterson     

Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

Compares film characterizations of western gunslingers and lawmen with their real lives. For each figure discussed, a biography is followed by a catalog of films that includes descriptions, selections from reviews, and information on directors, producers, casts, and related matters. The author covers Billy the Kid, Belle Starr, Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill Hickok, Bat Masterson, and members of the James- Young and Dalton-Doolin gangs. Includes b&w photos of the historical figures and stills from movies. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

fascinating...recommended for all collections dealing with the film industry and/or western Americana”—Public Library Quarterly; “a great idea for a book, very well realized”—Past Times; “recommended”—Big Reel; “looks at the historical and cinematic careers of Billy the Kid, the James-Younger gang, the Dalton-Doolin gang, Belle Starr, Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill Hickok, and Bat Materson”—AB Bookman’s Weekly; “illustrated with well-chosen black-and-white photographs...detailed index...most libraries will want this for their circulating collection for the universal appeal of the subject and for the extensive filmographies”—ARBA; “handsome, well-researched softcover...also features a useful bibliography”—Book and Magazine Collector.

From the Publisher

recommended

Big Reel

a great idea for a book, very well realized

Past Times

fascinating...recommended for all collections dealing with the film industry and/or western Americana

Public Library Quarterly