Jesse James on the Silver Screen
I grew up during the heyday of television westerns. Gunsmoke, Maverick, Bonanza, High Chaparral, and the Big Valley are a few of the many shows that shaped my fondness for the Old West. It isn’t a stretch to believe my viewing habits led me to write the story of Jesse James’ wife.
As I researched, it surprised me to realize people are still quite fascinated by Jesse and his family. Movie-makers are a lot smarter than I am. They figured this out early on. Even the mention of Jesse’s name sold tickets. Evidence of this can be found in the many shows which feature the outlaw. Some of the productions are fairly decent. Others…not so great.
Multiple-Spur winning author, Johnny D. Boggs, separates the good from the bad and the ugly in his highly entertaining work, Jesse James and the Movies. As someone with more than a passing interest in the James family, this book caught my eye right away, although I only recently had the pleasure of reading it.
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According to Boggs, Jesse has been in forty-plus movies in addition to many television shows and documentaries. He’s been portrayed by actors such as Tyrone Power, Roy Rogers, Clayton Moore (of Lone Ranger fame), Audie Murphy, and Brad Pitt. Even Jesse’s own son played the part of his father on film, although it’s a stretch to describe Jesse Edwards James as an actor.
Beginning with the silent movie era, the reader is given a synopsis of each movie’s plot, a breakdown of its historical accuracy, a brief bio of the players, and an analysis of the film. Fascinating details are supplemented by photos and seasoned with a liberal dose of humor. As an example, this line is from the author’s summary of Jesse James’ Women – “It’s probably not the worst Jesse James movie, but it’s right up there with the truly awful ones.”
Hey, what else can an author do but laugh after watching Jesse star in films alongside the Three Stooges, Bob Hope, or Frankenstein’s daughter?
[image error]This one looks like a true spine-tingler! (Wikipedia)
Anyone who loves old movies, remembers television shows from their childhood, or simply enjoys learning more about the cult icon Jesse James, I suggest you grab this book for yourself or as a gift. You will not be disappointed!
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Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018 and Walter Williams Special Award winner, I am Mrs. Jesse James. She is also the author of On a City Street, the first of three Becker Family contemporary romance novels, and Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas. Pat is co-author of a picture book, Midnight the One-Eyed Cat.
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