A Guide to Silent Westerns: (Bibliographies and Indexes in the Performing Arts) [Hardcover]

Larry Langman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 1992 | ISBN-10: 031327858X | ISBN-13: 978-0313278587

This comprehensive film guide lists the screen credits and provides synopses of more than 5,400 silent western features, documentaries, shorts and serials released from the 1890s through 1930. Numerous one-, two- and three-reelers are included in this guide. These westerns came from both the major and lesser known American film studios, many long defunct. The term "western" is hard to define; someone once commented that a western had to have a horse in it. The genre generally applies to that post-Civil War period beginning with the great cattle drives and ending around 1890. But the author has included tales about early California, Mexico, various Indian tribes along the Eastern seaboard, the building of the railroad, the gold rush of 1849 and the search for gold in the Yukon. Other films which seem to have less in common with the genre, such as northern westerns, are listed in a separate appendix.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Recommended for libraries with strong film collections, serving serious students of silent film.”–Choice

“This book should serve many reference uses for a long time to come. Research collections with film interests will need this book.”–Book of the South West

About the Author

LARRY LANGMAN is a film historian and writer, who has published extensively.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 616 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (October 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031327858X
• ISBN-13: 978-0313278587
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #771,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars A MONUMENTAL ACHIEVAL!!!, July 25, 2009

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This review is from: A Guide to Silent Westerns: (Bibliographies and Indexes in the Performing Arts) (Hardcover)

An alphabetical listing of all known Silent Western films. Thousands listed, with cast, crew, etc. Great to match up early films with later sound era productions of B-Western stars Hoot Gibson, Ken Maynard, Bob Steele, Tom Tyler; and B-Characters Charlie King, Tom London, George Chesboro, Ben Corbett, Wally Wales, etc.

Invaluable information, a must for all serious Western film fans/ historians. A much-needed addition to any serious Western film library, and just a really fun reference guide for all the rest of us.

Buy this, you need it.