Description
Book SynopsisFrom the silent era into the early days of television, hundreds of small production companies turned out low-budget films that were played as second features in this country and abroad. As might be expected, a high percentage of these films were Westerns. The people who made these filmsproducers, directors, writers, actors, and techniciansinhabited what came to be known as Poverty Row, eking out a living doing a job they loved. Author C. Jack Lewis spent 25 years in this world of low-budget Westerns, and here he portrays the human side of the industry through the many people with whom he came into contact as he worked his way from film to film. Highly personal, filled with rare glimpses of a life that lives only in the memory of a few, this narrative is a nostalgic memoir of a bygone time, of those who shared life on Poverty Rowand of the hard work, failures, successes, and dreams made or broken. Liberal use of photos helps readers identify the faces they have seen on their television screens in the reruns of these pictures still making the rounds. A must-read for students of film and popular culturegreat for fans of Westerns as well.
Trade ReviewA rare first-hand account of an unjustly forgotten era in horse opera history. Told with warmth and affection, it should delight B-western aficionados. * Film Review *
Named One of "THE BEST ANECDOTAL" Books on Cinema * Classic Images *
Highly personal, filled with rare glimpses of a life that lives only in the memory of a few, this narrative is a nostalgic memoir of a bygone time....written in Lewis' easy, conversational style, and a center section has 40 marvelous photos of the old sagebrush stars. Some of the anecdotes are hilarious, and we also learn which of the actors were real cowboys. -- J. B. Wood * The New Gun Week *
A wealth of delightful nostalgia and memoirs...a fun trip down memory lane. * Leatherneck *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 Introduction Chapter 4 1 Tom Mix Ain't a Drink! Chapter 5 2 The Cherokee Kid's Last Stand Chapter 6 3 Lash, Fuzzy, and I Chapter 7 4 Down the Celluloid Trail Chapter 8 5 The Balancing Act Chapter 9 6 From Wonsan to Mami Stover Chapter 10 7 The Heroes of Poverty Row Chapter 11 8 Back to the Ormonds Chapter 12 9 Riders Along the Trail Chapter 13 10 The Directors Chapter 14 11 On Down the Trail Chapter 15 12 The Screenwriters Chapter 16 13 Of Guys and Gags Chapter 17 14 And Then There Was Television Chapter 18 15 End of the Trail Chapter 19 16 Into the Sunset Chapter 20 Index Chapter 21 About the Author
