This is the second of the author's three books on westerns. The others are: "Movie Westerns: Hollywood Films the Wild, Wild West" (which is easily the best of the series, and great value for the money too) and "Great Hollywood Westerns". While, as with the other books, the author does to attempt to cover many of the big "A" productions like "How the West Was Won" and "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral", it's pretty obvious that his heart is more with the "B" brigade. Charles Starrett received a tribute in the first book and this time the author focuses on William Boyd (featured on the back cover in full color) with a complete cast index of all 66 of his "Hopalong Cassidy" pictures. To help out reviewers like me, he has even annotated his index to point out the movies starring Boyd, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Tim Holt, Charles Starrett and Johnny Mack Brown. Films of many other western stars such as James Stewart and Randolph Scott are included in the book as well, but that you gives you an idea of the author's focus.

all western fans.

the coverage of "My Darling Clementine", "Winchester '73", "When the Daltons Rode", "Texas", "Rangers of Fortune", "The Plainsman", "Duel in the Sun". "The Big Sky", "Cheyenne Autumn", and "Dakota".

buy many of these movies on DVD.

is thorough. He provides complete cast and camera credits for each movie, plus release dates and other background information, as well as descriptions and reviews. There's an okay gallery of original theatrical posters as well.

Interested in buying this? Support Writing.Com by making your purchase of BEST WESTERN MOVIES: Winning Pictures, Favorite Films and Hollywood "B" Entries   from Amazon.Com!

Created Feb 20, 2009 at 3:46am • Submit your own review...