Customer Reviews

Bar-20: The Life of Clarence E. Mulford, Creator of Hopalong Cassidy, with Seven Original Stories Reprinted

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This book gives a very thorough history of the creator of the Hopalong Cassidy books: Clarence E Mulford. How the stories came to the silver screen and became a 1950s phenomenom is explained in great detail.

William Boyd successfully played the character on television because he had the vision to see his successful 20 years playing Hoppy in the movies could evolve into a thirty minute TV show. This is quite something for 1940s television.

The financial empire Boyd marketed with everything from look a like outfits to bedroom sets is a story in itself.

The bonus story is the fading away of the empire and almost disappearing.

Half the book is devoted to seven stories and a good filmography of Mulford.

This is a very technical book with much information. The book is so complete upon finishing I really felt I didnot have any unanswered questions. I thoroughly understood the history and story from beginning to end.

Looking for something to read the other day, I picked up my copy of Francis M. Nevin's Bar-20 and enjoyed it even more this time. Mr. Nevin's gives us the tory of the life of Clarence E. Mulford, the creator of western hero Hopalong Cassidy. Now as most people born after 1940, I was introduced to Hopalong thru actor William Boyd (whose voice is one of the best masculine ones ever recorded) but, partially through Mr. Nevin's, I've come to respect and appreciate both the film and written version, which, as we learn, are connected mostly by name and occupation and little else. The book wonderfully summarizes virtually all the stories Mr. Mulford penned (or typed!) and even includes seven short stories which you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else these days. And as always, a McFarland Press book is easy to hold, tastefully designed and printed. This book is heartily recommended and is certainly a wonderful addition to any library of western America or the movies.

I just finished re-reading this book and enjoyed it even more this time. Mr. Nevins gives us a wonderful account of the life and especially the stories Mr. Mulford created, graciously summarizing just about everything he wrote and even including seven short stories one would be hard pressed to find elsewhere.And yes, like so many born after 1940, I came to know Hopalong via William Boyd (who had one of the most wonderful masculine voices ever recorded!) and I think I like both the movie version and the "real" (or written) version of Hopalong which we learn is the same in name and occupation and little else. All McFarland Press books are wonderful to hold and read and this is no exception and carries Mr. Nevin's intellectual property comfortably to the reader. I never thought I would be grateful for lawsuits and lawyers, but Mr. Nevins proves that I have misplaced my thoughts. Without them, we would never have this entertaining and cogent history of a truly amazing man (and you may apply that both to the character and the creator).