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Michael F. Blake

Hollywood and the O.K. Corral: Portrayals of the Gunfight and Wyatt Earp Paperback – Illustrated, October 27, 2006

by Michael F. Blake (Author)

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A lot can happen in 30 seconds. In the case of the shoot-out at the O.K. Corral, 30 seconds found three men dead, left two men wounded and ultimately captured the imagination of generations of Americans. Wyatt Earp, an against-all-odds hero who was literally the last man standing; Doc Holliday, Earp's unlikely crony; the tragic tale of the Earp family--all of these elements make the story of the O.K. Corral irresistible to a great many people. Hollywood filmmakers were quick to recognize the legend's attraction--and its potential. As early as 1939 (with the production of Frontier Marshal), moviemakers were recreating the gunfight at the O.K. Corral and its attendant happenings in Tombstone, Arizona, on October 26, 1881. The following decades produced various renderings of the story, some more historically accurate than others but all with the American flair for entertainment. This volume examines eight movie renderings of the legendary gunfight. Produced from 1939 to 1994, these movies each use Wyatt Earp and other real-life characters as their sources. The work focuses on the filmmakers' treatment of the history and the skill with which each balances fact with the necessity of entertainment. The ways in which Wyatt Earp is presented in each film and this portrayal's relationship to the period in which the film was made is also examined in detail. Films discussed are Frontier Marshal (1939), Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die (1942), My Darling Clementine (1946), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), Hour of the Gun (1967), Doc (1971), Tombstone (1993), and Wyatt Earp (1994). Period photographs are also included.

Print length

265 pages
Language

English
Publisher

McFarland & Company
Publication date

October 27, 2006
Reading age

18 years and up
Dimensions

7 x 0.54 x 10 inches
ISBN-10

0786426322
ISBN-13

978-0786426324
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John Farkis
197
Paperback
20 offers from $19.91

Editorial Reviews

Review

“fascinating”―Wrangler’s Roost; “fascinating...rich details...interesting”―Cowboys & Indians; “McFarland is to be commended for publishing this academic volume on an almost forgotten genre”―Suite101.com/Western Collectables; “Michael F. Blake takes 30 of the most famous seconds in American history and tracks their wanderings through 60 years of moviemaking, adroitly documenting their evolution from fact to legend. A wonderful premise for a book that makes fascinating―and surprising―reading for students of history as well as film.”―James Curtis, author of W.C. Fields: A Biography and James Whale: A New World of Gods and Monsters; “Nobody writes it better than Michael F. Blake, and Hollywood and the O.K. Corral is his best―so far.”―Andrew J. Fenady, producer and writer of John Wayne’s Chisum (1970) and Western Writers of America Owen Wister Award Honoree (2006); “Michael F. Blake’s Hollywood and the O.K. Corral rounds up the film industry’s major depictions of Wyatt Earp and the famous gunfight with the hard hitting punch of a .45 long Colt slug. The Emmy Award winning Hollywood insider and respected film historian pulls no punches as he gives readers a nuts and bolts behind the scenes look at the various cinematic retellings of the O.K. Corral legend. The chapter on the making of the 1993 near classic Tombstone alone lays back the usual Hollywood veil of illusion to give a fascinating look at modern western filmmaking and the contributions of many unsung crew members, most notably that film’s original director and screenwriter Kevin Jarre. Hollywood and the O.K. Corral combines real western history with celluloid history for a must read for western buffs and film aficionados alike.”―Dan Gagliasso, documentary film director and Western Writers of America Spur award winner.

About the Author

Michael F. Blake, an Emmy-winning makeup artist and leading film historian, has worked in the film industry for nearly fifty years. He has written for American Cinematographer, Performing Arts, Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune. He lives in Arizona.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ McFarland & Company; Illustrated edition (October 27, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 265 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0786426322
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0786426324
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.54 x 10 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,893,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,725 in Movie History & Criticism
- #18,920 in Performing Arts (Books)
- #142,555 in Reference (Books)

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Michael F. Blake

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Michael F. Blake, a two-time Emmy-winning Makeup Artist, is the author of three books on Hollywood's "Man of a Thousand Faces," Lon Chaney. These books served as the basis for a Turner Classic Movies channel documentray in 2000. His books "Code of Honor: The Making of High Noon, Shane and The Searchers" and "Hollywood and the O.K. Corral" have been praised as informative works for the Western cinema. In 2017, Michael was awarded a Stirrup Award from Western Writers of America.

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Tim Lasiuta

Gun Fight at the OK! Dead On

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 8, 2008

Ask any western film fan the question "What is the most famous gun fight in history?"

Some might say the Alamo, some might say the Battle of the Big Horn, but most will say "It's the O.K. Corral". Because of a feud between the Clantons and Earps, a momentary exchange of gunfire has been immortalized, and one man, Wyatt Earp has come to symbolize an entire genre.

Michael F. Blake, in his book, "Hollywood and the O.K. Corral" has tackled the topic of what really went on, and why has it become so important that Hollywood has produced nearly 100 films on the topic over time. Even Star Trek used the O.K. Corral imagery in one episode during the 1960's! Due to the overwhelming numbers of films, Michael has focused on 8 productions. Given the 250 page length of the book already, it could be an encyclopedia if all the films were discussed.

The real even occurred on October 26, 1881 and lasted only a short time. Michael firstly presents a discussion of the real life of Wyatt Earp and his subsequent discovery by Hollywood. Most film goers do not realize that Wyatt lived in Los Angeles, and was infuriated with the manner in which the famous event was portrayed. Wyatt Earp was a good friend of William S Hart, and through his efforts an accurate recitation of the events was produced but it did not elicit any offers. Only after Earps' death, did Stuart Lake publish "Wyatt Earp, Frontier Marshall" to great acclaim, yet it was filled with historical inaccuracy.

But Hollywood was hooked.

Frontier Marshall (1939) was the first film. And in the book, Michael examines `Tombstone: The Town Too Tough To Die' (1942), `My Darling Clementine' (1946), `Gunfight At the OK Corral' (1957), `Hour of the Gun' (1967), `Doc' (1971), `Tombstone' (1993), and `Wyatt Earp' (1994) in detail. His familiarity with the nuances of the actual story, and the major films give the book a unique chemistry. Whether the discussion focuses on the script, acting, or subtle details altered to fit the vision of the film-makers, Mr Blake captures it.

Rare photographs are included in the book. One of the most stark reminders of the `event' is the image of the Clantons lying side by side by side in matching coffins. Images from the films, in front of and behind the scenes, accompany each chapter and turn this `academic' discussion into a substantially complete presentation. The co-operation of actors, service providers, and directors in some of the films gives readers an insight into the magic of film making.

If you have ever been fascinated by the O.K. Corral fight and want to learn the facts behind the fiction, this is one book that should form part of your `Tombstone' shelf. [...]
Tim Lasiuta

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J A ALLDRED

MARVELOUS BOOK

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 6, 2007

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I have purchased many books over the years relating to my interest in the Old West and Tombstone in particular. Mr Blakes wonderful book is up there with the best. Right from the first few pages it's obvious that because of Michaels long experience in the film industry, he has access to people and information available only to a very few well connected individuals.

The book gives a fascinating insight into the making of the key movies about Tombstone, the politics, the conflicts and interactions between all the key players, and an excellent analysis of each movie in relation to the known facts surrounding Tombstone on the 1880's.

The book is crammed with dozens of rare photographs, many of which will not have been seen before.

I loved this book. Congratulations Mr Blake on a fine effort.

If I was to complain, it would be that this book will have a very long shelf life, and remain important for years to come, so I would have loved to see a hard cover version, just to match the quality of the contents, and perhaps ensure the book survives the rigours of many readers over the next many decades, but it's more a compliment than a complaint

JOHN ALLDRED

NEW ZEALAND

3 people found this helpful

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Wayne L. Giza

Photo Caption Error

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 20, 2006

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This 1-star rating is deceptive. Here's why. After anxiously awaiting this book I did the quick-flip thru when it arrived and found on page 222 a picture of Dennis Quaid as Doc identified as being from the movie 'Tombstone'. How can a book that hopes to be the definitive book on O.K. Corral movies be read with enthusiasm when it makes such an error?

3 people found this helpful

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Karen Cool

Blake's aim is as true as Wyatt Earp's

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 10, 2006

Michael F. Blake's "Hollywood at the OK Corral" nicely fills a gaping hole in the literature on Wyatt Earp's transition from itinerant lawman, gambler, miner, horse thief, pimp, and con man to the iconic, legendary, and nearly mythical character he is today. The same goes for the evolution of the sudden and shocking street fight in Tombstone to today's metaphor for any vicious gun battle, firefight, or other spot where bullets seem to be flying from all sides. This progression for both the "gunfight at the O.K. Corral" and the one participant who remained standing, untouched by lead, and Hollywood's role in building and shapeshifting the legend, has been discussed and argued about at some length in biographies by Casey Tefertiller, Allen Barra, Tim Fattig, Steve Gatto, and others, and in surveys by George McDonald Fraser and others. But this is the first book-length examination, and it is packed with material not published elsewhere.

Right from the start, the O.K. Corral was the stuff of cinema. It was immediately preceded by what must have been one of the most visually arresting images in Western history, the walk down to destiny by Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan Earp and their ally Doc Holliday. That Blake understands this is clear: his book's cover displays the walkdown most familiar to today's audiences, that of four grim and superbly costumed lawmen played Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, and Bill Paxton from the movie Tombstone.

Blake begins by reviewing the argued-over facts of Wyatt's life, including the OK Corral. In order to accurately compare the "real" to the "reel," film historian Blake understands the importance of getting the history right. This chapter, as do the later ones, benefits greatly from Blake's use of recent historical research, including the Tefertiller and Barra biographies, and Peter Brand's groundbreaking work on Wyatt's Vendetta riders, such as Sherman McMasters and John Johnson (known to filmgoers as "Turkey Creek Jack"). Blake has also sought insight from descendants of the unfortunate McLaury brothers, including writer Pam Potter. Blake next provides an overview of Earp and Hollywood, from the old Westerner's friendship with William S. Hart, through Hollywood's use of Stuart Lake's powerfully influential book "Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal," and on to the pervasiveness of Earp and the gunfight in American and global culture (e.g., the Star Trek episode, "Spectre of the Gun").

The heart and soul of the book are the separate chapters on the making of eight theatrical O.K. Corral films: Frontier Marshal (1939), Tombstone: the Town Too Tough to Die (1942), My Darling Clementine (1946), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), Hour of the Gun (1967), Doc (1971), Tombstone (1993), and Wyatt Earp (1994). Here is where this film historian's nearly half-century immersion in the industry comes into play. (Blake is the son of an actor, a childhood actor himself, and an Emmy-winning make-up artist, as well as published film historian.) Wonderful anecdotes came from a variety of sources, including the subjects of Blake's interviews, including Burt Lancaster and James Garner, "Wyatt Earp" screenwriter Dan Gordon, Tombstone" costumer Joseph Porro, and "Tombstone" historical consultant Jeff Morey. Many wonderful on-the-set photos came from archival sources, including the William S. Hart, John Ford, John Sturges, and Hal Wallis collections.

One of Blake's most important themes is this: "History and Hollywood have never been synchronous when it comes to facts. At best they are civilized adversaries and, at worst, churlish rivals." Blake explains why "historical" films are and must be ahistorical, however much that maddens "buffs" of any historical topic.

Each chapter colorfully reveals the usually difficult gestation of a film, from starry-eyed conception, through arguments over scripts, budgets made and busted, lawsuits threatened, and on-set shouting matches (and at least one angry golf-cart destruction derby), to marketing successes and failures and make-or-break film critic reviews. Each chapter is a delight, precisely because Blake knows how to identify and draw out the conflicts inherent in movie making. In this regard, the making of "Tombstone" was probably the diciest affair. Here Blake's book benefits from the cooperation of Jeff Morey, who helped Kevin Jarre develop perhaps the greatest O.K. Corral script. But each project was an eye-opener. I for one wish the "Doc" chapter had been longer, because one wants to know every detail of how such an abysmal film could ever be made.

The book has a few typos and, as one reviewer noted, at least one miscaptioned picture. The font is a little small for some aging eyes. My biggest complaint is that I wish the book had been bigger. I know Blake must have left some additional good stories out to save space for what's here.

This book is an absolute must for anyone interested in Wyatt Earp, the O.K. Corral, Westerns, and how Hollywood makes any movie.

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