The Invention of the Western Film: A Cultural History of the Genre's First Half Century (Genres in American Cinema S.) [Paperback]

Scott Simmon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521555817 | ISBN-13: 978-0521555814 | Publication Date: June 30, 2003

The Invention of the Western Film ranges across literature, visual arts, social history, ideology, and legend to provide, for the first time, an in-depth exploration of the early Western, from short kinetoscopes of the 1890s through "classic" features of the 1940s. By examining the American Indian's rise and demise during the silent era, B- Westerns of the 1930s, and film noir-influenced Westerns of the 1940s, Scott Simmon's pioneering study silhouettes the genre's evolution against a myriad of cultural forces. This lively, encyclopedic book revitalizes familiar Western icons John Wayne and John Ford, and recovers forgotten masterworks from the Western film's formative years.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Clearly written, The Invention of the Western Film is also well illustrated, sometimes with production stills but more often (and more usefully) with frame enlargements that support the visual analysis. Godd historians of film are often less confident as visual analysts, and vice versa. Yet one of Simmon's strengths is his ability to do perceptive close visual readings of movies while also making skillful and sometimes exciting connections between the film under study and other films, other works of literary or visual art, and the history of the West." Film Quarterly

"One of the many strengths of this book is Simmon's narrow focus and his attention to the lesser-known nooks and crannies of the Western. His writing is never less than engaging and accessible, his insights often beautifully stated and eminently quotable" - Journal of Film and Video Stephanie Harrison

Book Description

Ranging across literature, visual arts, social history, ideology and legend, this study provides an in-depth exploration of the early Western film, from short kinetoscopes of the 1890s through the "classic" features of the 1940s. Scott Simmon's pioneering study silhouettes the genre's evolution, including the rise and demise of the American Indain during the silent era, the B-Westerns of the 1930s, and the film noir-influenced Westerns of the 1940s.

Product Details

• Paperback: 412 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (June 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521555817
• ISBN-13: 978-0521555814
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not What I Expected, but Interesting, July 7, 2004

By 

Michael Samerdyke (Big Stone Gap, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Invention of the Western Film: A Cultural History of the Genre's First Half Century (Genres in American Cinema S.) (Paperback)

I had expected a history of the Western genre from "The Great Train Robbery" to "Broken Arrow." However, this is not what Simmons is after. He looks at three issues/eras in the western: silent pro-Indian movies made before WWI, John Wayne B movies of the Thirties, and westerns such as "My Darling Clementine," which were made in the shadow of film noir.

There was nothing about William S. Hart or the "epic westerns" of the Twenties. Simmons assumes the reader will be fairly knowledgeable about the development of the genre.

However, after I got over my initial disappointment, I have to say that I found the book very interesting, even if I didn't agree with Simmons all the time. He writes in a clear style and has an obvious sympathy for his subject matter. (But he is by no means blind to problems people might find in westerns.)

Of the three sections, I most enjoyed the one on the silents and "My Darling Clementine." The latter section, by the way, talks a great deal about post-1950 westerns that refer back to "Clementine."

I strongly recommend this book to those interested in westerns, silent film in general, or John Ford.