The West That Never Was

This is a rollicking, fast-paced amiable history of the Hollywood western, beginning with the 1903 classic short The Great Train Robbery and running up through the career of Marion Michael Morrison (better known as John Wayne). From the beginning, says host Tony Thomas, the western has born the least resemblance to real life of any of the movie genres (The Great Train Robbery was filmed in New Jersey, no less). In the literally thousands of two-reel oaters that came out of Hollywood, a select few stars emerged. Tom Mix is credited with having invented the image of the Hollywood cowboy in 1915; shortly thereafter, William S. Hart (whose Tumbleweeds is widely regarded as an early classic) refused to wear fancy duds, trying for a more realistic look; Hoot Gibson was recruited from the rodeo, where Hollywood would go for many of its western actors and stuntmen. And the list goes on: Ken Maynard, Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, Tex Ritter, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Randolph Scott, all the way up to the Duke. Written and narrated by film expert Tony Thomas, this documentary is likely to be of interest to both film buffs and general audiences. Enthusiastically recommended for all. (See BUDD BOETTICHER: ONE ON ONE for availability.)