Television Western Players of the Fifties: A Biographical Encyclopedia of All Regular Cast Members in Western Series, 1949-1959 [Library Binding]

Everett Aaker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786402849 | ISBN-13: 978-0786402847 | Publication Date: November 1997

This encyclopedia includes every actor and actress who had a regular role in a television western from 1949 through 1959. The entries cite biographical and family details, accounts of how the player first broke into show business, and details of roles played, as well as opinions from the actors and their contemporaries. A full accounting of film, serial, and television credits is also included. The appendix lists 84 television westerns, with dates, show times, themes, and stars.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The golden age of TV westerns was the 1950s, as evidenced by this reference book on cast members. The author has tried to include every actor who had a regular role during that decade. The 300 entries cover both major and bit players. Women make up less than 20 percent of the total.

Each alphabetically arranged entry includes professional and personal details about the actor's life, in most cases including how they broke into the business and how they survived after their series ended. Some entries note contemporaries' opinions about the actor. A filmography, television series list, and list of sources provide valuable information as well. About a third of the entries include photos, which are not cross-referenced when they show several actors. Entries range in length from half a page to several pages (six pages for Roy Rogers). To some degree, the amount of information depended on the cooperation of the actor as well as the availability of printed material. The writing itself is engaging and clear.

An alphabetical television series catalog with dates, production information, synopses, times, and key players follows the entries. A bibliography and index complete the volume. This one-stop reference should intrigue the TV-and Western-ophile. For bigger collections with a need in this area.

Review

"a monumental cornerstone to the ever growing research into TV westerns" -- Western Clippings

"an invaluable work for reference and enjoyment.... Recommended" -- Wranglers Roost

"this informative and fascinating source is recommended especially to public library collections" -- ARBA

"this one-stop reference should intrigue" -- Booklist/RBB

"useful biographical information on some 285 actors and actresses...well illustrated...recommended" -- Choice

"well written and full of solid information and interesting tidbits" -- Against the Grain

"well-researched and well-written...highly recommended" -- VideoScope

"you can guarantee to be entertained...well illustrated" -- The Black Bird Club

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding: 588 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786402849
• ISBN-13: 978-0786402847
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,087,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tommy Lightfoot Garrett and Canyon News Loved This Reference Book, June 27, 2009

By 

Jason Crawford "Jason Crawford" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Television Western Players of the Fifties: A Biographical Encyclopedia of All Regular Cast Members in Western Series, 1949-1959 (Paperback)

HOLLYWOOD--Television Western Players of the Fifties: A Biographical Encyclopedia of All Regular Cast Members in Western Series from 1949-1959.

The author Everett Aaker, who lives in the U.K. did an amazing job compiling a full accounting of American Television western icons with such detail and description, that I, an historian of Television and Hollywood even learned from it. The thoroughly researched book is almost 600 pages. But no pages are wasted. The feeling you get reading this book is one of amazing depth in what made some of our Television Western icons worldwide figures.Each entry and subject in this book is described in great biographical detail and family details, accounts of how the subject first broke into show business as well as details of roles played. The author even delves into what co-stars even thought of the stars featured.

The appendix lists 84 television westerns with dates, show times, themes, and stars. But the book doesn't just showcase some of the big westerns like "Gunsmoke" and "Cheyenne." They go into some series long forgotten or more obscure ones like "Laredo" and "The Lawman." No one is left out of this amazing book. What I like about this tome is the fairness the writer offers in his opinions. You get the clear idea that he's a huge Western genre fan, but you can't get a clear look at who his favorites were, because he covers them all with in depth knowledge, research and respect.

Chuck Connors is also featured in the book. The star of "The Rifleman" was always one of my favorites. The author found some one of a kind and very rare photographs/stills for his tome and each person is adequately covered in an era that is best known to Historians as the golden era of Television. Some of the stars made their way from films, but many were just out of WWII and were looking to make a career in Television and Entertainment and some like James Arness, did so with gusto.

The almost encyclopedia style is not boring at all, as I had been concerned it could be. It's filled with great details and fascinating stories. This is a must read for anyone who has ever been a Western TV fan or wants to know more about this golden age of Television.

5.0 out of 5 stars GreaT Book!, November 25, 2011

By 

Joe Howard - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Television Western Players of the Fifties: A Biographical Encyclopedia of All Regular Cast Members in Western Series, 1949-1959 (Library Binding)

This book is a joy for all us affecienados of the 50's TV westerns. It is just packed with info on these people that baby boomers saw during the Golden Age of the TV Western. Although there are lots of illustrations, not every entry for an actor has their picture. So if you don't know the actor's name and you knew him only by face, it's a limitation. However, this is only with lesser known players. I highly recommend this book.