Buffalo Bill was a study in contrasts and paradox. William Cody (1846-1917) celebrated the adventure of the American West even as the frontier was disappearing. In his Wild West show, scout Bill heroically "rescued" helpless white settlers from savage Indian attacks (and, in fact, Cody did once take an Indian scalp), yet his shows highlighted Native American culture and he enjoyed amiable relations with his ethnic performers. As viewers will discover in this documentary from the PBS-aired American Experience series, Buffalo Bill almost single-handedly invented American celebrity culture. Written and directed by Rob Rapley, the film follows Buffalo Bill's gadabout days out west following the Civil War, working as a scout and hunter (there was good money to be made in leading wealthy dudes from the east on hunting parties). Cody learned to act the part of "nature's nobleman," and in short order dime novelist Ned Buntline was celebrating his feats on the page and later Cody appeared on the stage of midwest vaudeville houses (unfortunately, Buffalo Bill had trouble remembering his lines, and soon realized that he came across best when talking directly to the audience). A restless spirit, Bill decided to create his own show—featuring the aforementioned staged Indian attacks, the climactic moments of the Battle of Little Big Horn, frontier wildlife, and specialty acts such as sharpshooter Annie Oakley—bringing a taste of the real thing to an increasingly urban population, and eventually to Europe where it was met with an equally enthusiastic reception. Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show went on for decades, but Bill's declining health and the rise of motion pictures ultimately spelled its end. Combining archival footage, stills, and illustrations together with insightful interviews and overlaid narration by Richard Ben Cramer, this tribute to one of America's most colorful national characters is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
Buffalo Bill
(2008) 60 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.95 w/PPR). PBS Video. Closed captioned. ISBN: 0-7936-9417-5. Volume 23, Issue 4
Buffalo Bill
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