Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.