Boyd Magers

This work not only traces Audie Murphy's life as a film actor (from Beyond Glory, 1948, to A Time for Dying, 1971) but also provides a biography that runs from his birth to his three years in the army, winning every possible combat medal including the Congressional Medal of Honor--and from his Hollywood debut at James Cagney's invitation to his final dramatic decline, gambling his fortunes away, becoming involved in violent episodes, and dying in a plane crash in 1971. Each of the 49 film entries gives full credits, including casts, characters, crew, date of release, location, and cost, backgrounds for directors and main players, and comments and anecdotes from interviews with Murphy's colleagues. Critical reviews are quoted and the work is richly illustrated with film stills and private photographs.

IN SEARCH OF FLINT McCULLOUGH, and ROBERT HORTON, The Man Behind the Myth Robert Horton was born in Los Angeles, in July 1924. He came from a family peopled by professional men; lawyers, doctors and churchmen. His father was a highly successful insurance agent. The family was a large Mormon clan on both his paternal and maternal side, and Robert Horton never felt at home in it. From an early age he knew he was as unlike his relatives as chalk is to cheese. He rebelled against all its conformities and he only found his true vocation when he turned to the stage and decided to become an actor. Blessed with incredible looks, as well as a wonderful baritone singing voice, he pursued his dream with dedication and determination. His passionate drive was rewarded when he won the role of scout Flint McCullough on NBC's fabulously successful Western series, Wagon Train. His portrayal of McCullough lasted for five years and brought international fame, making him one of the most famous stars on television. When he walked away from Wagon Train to fashion a career for himself in musical theater, his fame gradually dwindled. There were many reasons for that, in and out of his control, but he subsequently claimed that the twenty or so years he spent treading the boards were as rewarding to him as he needed or wanted them to be. His marriage (fourth) to singer Marilynn Bradley lasted fifty-five years, until his death, and much was written in its early stages about their love and commitment to one another. After he retired in his mid-sixties, however, that changed, and though living comfortably in the suburbs of Los Angeles, the last years of his life were full of sadness, bitterness and remorse. Nevertheless, he continues to have a following of devoted fans and admirers and this book will help to inform them of his rich legacy, his life and his talents.

IN SEARCH OF FLINT McCULLOUGH, and ROBERT HORTON, The Man Behind the Myth Robert Horton was born in Los Angeles, in July 1924. He came from a family peopled by professional men; lawyers, doctors and churchmen. His father was a highly successful insurance agent. The family was a large Mormon clan on both his paternal and maternal side, and Robert Horton never felt at home in it. From an early age he knew he was as unlike his relatives as chalk is to cheese. He rebelled against all its conformities and he only found his true vocation when he turned to the stage and decided to become an actor. Blessed with incredible looks, as well as a wonderful baritone singing voice, he pursued his dream with dedication and determination. His passionate drive was rewarded when he won the role of scout Flint McCullough on NBC's fabulously successful Western series, Wagon Train. His portrayal of McCullough lasted for five years and brought international fame, making him one of the most famous stars on television. When he walked away from Wagon Train to fashion a career for himself in musical theater, his fame gradually dwindled. There were many reasons for that, in and out of his control, but he subsequently claimed that the twenty or so years he spent treading the boards were as rewarding to him as he needed or wanted them to be. His marriage (fourth) to singer Marilynn Bradley lasted fifty-five years, until his death, and much was written in its early stages about their love and commitment to one another. After he retired in his mid-sixties, however, that changed, and though living comfortably in the suburbs of Los Angeles, the last years of his life were full of sadness, bitterness and remorse. Nevertheless, he continues to have a following of devoted fans and admirers and this book will help to inform them of his rich legacy, his life and his talents.

This work features interviews with 25 leading ladies who starred in B-westerns, A-westerns, and television westerns. Some were well-known and others were not, but they all have fascinating stories to tell and they talk candidly about their careers and the difficulties that went along with their jobs. Often, conditions were severe, locations harsh, and pay minimal. The actresses were sometimes the only females on location and had to provide their own wardrobe and do their own make-up, and sometimes discourage the advances of over-affectionate co-stars. Despite these difficulties, most of the actresses agree that they had fun. Claudia Barrett, Francis Dee, Beverly Garland, Lisa Gaye, Marie Harmon, Mary Ellen Kay, Ruta Lee, Mala Powers, Ann Rutherford, Ruth Terry, and Beverly Washburn are among the 25 actresses interviewed. This entry refers to the LARGE PRINT edition. For the standard edition please see ISBN 978-0-7864-2656-0.

This work features interviews with 51 leading ladies who starred in B-westerns, A-westerns, and television westerns. Some were well-known and others were not, but they all have fascinating stories to tell and they talk candidly about their careers and the many difficulties that went along with their jobs. Back then, conditions were often severe, locations were often harsh, and pay was often minimal. The actresses were sometimes the only females on location and they had to provide their own wardrobe and do their own make-up, as well as discourage the advances of over-affectionate co-stars. Despite these difficulties, most of the women interviewed for this agree that they had fun. Claudia Barrett, Virginia Carroll, Francis Dee, Lisa Gaye, Marie Harmon, Kathleen Hughes, Linda Johnson, Ruta Lee, Colleen Miller, Gigi Perreau, Ann Rutherford, Ruth Terry, and June Vincent are among the 51 actresses interviewed.

This collection features a diverse mixture of leading ladies of Westerns, along with several who are not quite as well known. Some toiled in B westerns, others worked exclusively at the A level, and a few were relegated to television. Those interviewed are Jane Adams, Julie Adams, Merry Anders, Vivian Austin, Joan Barclay, Patricia Blair, Pamela Blake, Adrian Booth, Genee Boutell, Lois Collier, Mara Corday, Gail Davis, Myrna Dell, Ann Doran, Faith Domergue, Dale Evans, Beatrice Gray, Coleen Gray, Anne Gwynne, Lois Hall, Kay Hughes, Marsha Hunt, Eilene Janssen, Anna Lee, Joan Leslie, Nan Leslie, Kay Linaker, Teala Loring, Lucille Lund, Beth Marion, Donna Martell, Kristine Miller, Peggy Moran, Maureen O'Hara, Debra Paget, Jean Porter, Paula Raymond, Jan Shepard, Marion Shilling, Roberta Shore, Elanor Stewart, Peggy Stewart, Linda Stirling, Gale Storm, Helen Talbot, Audrey Totter, Virginia Vale, Elena Verdugo, Jacqueline White and Gloria Winters. Gwynne, Hall, Storm and Vale provide forewords to the work.