Heroes, Heavies and Sagebrush.: A Pictorial History of the "B" Western Players

by Arthur F. McClure

In the "B" western of the 1930s and 1940s, the character's physical movements often revealed whether he was the hero or the villain. Dialogue was held to a minimum; the excitement came from the action, many times through stock situations. The plots were straightforward in their pursuit of action fare. Psychology was usually uncomplicated to the point of being nonexistent. The scenes were also stock situations, and were about the same for each western. It did not really matter to audiences because the things that held their attention were the personalities of the players themselves. While the Roy Rogers', Johnny Mack Browns, Gene Autrys, and John Waynes were grinding out pictures at a prodigious rate, the character (the Gabby Hayes's, Walter Brennans, the Andy Devines) and bit players were involved in dozens of films each year.

352 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Anthony McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super-duper history of hundreds of "B" movie western actors, compiled by Arthur F. McClure and Ken D. Jones.
Broken up into sections: HEROES - SIDEKICKS - HEAVIES - INDIANS - ASSORTED PLAYERS.
Mainly dedicated (but not entirely) to those who earned their spurs in the 1930s and 40s when the B Western was a regular event at the Saturday Matinee. And from the 50s when Westerns gradually transformed into weekly television series where they dominated for decades.

In this lovingly compiled volume, there must be more than 300 actors covered, each with a brief bio and selected Western filmography and each with at least one portrait or still. Many of the more well-known stars get the full treatment but all those characters who we recognize more by face than name get their fair share of grits as well.

And the authors have not scrimped on the photos: approximately 500 with a generous selection of full-page portraits, lots of half-page stills and lobby cards with many smaller stills, all beautifully reproduced and with descriptive text.

This is one of those gems that anyone interested in old movie actors, particularly those whose careers were generally spent in the saddle, will get a real kick out of.

One of the better editions brought out by co-publishers A.S. Barnes (NY) and Thomas Yoseloff (London). My first edition is from 1972 and is in immaculate condition - a credit to the publishers.

351 large-size pages with 500 black and white photos.
WORTH BUYING JUST FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES ... AND A MUST FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE OLD WESTERNS! You may have to call out the posse to hunt this one down but well worth the pursuit!