Several folks have asked about books and print media related to cowboy films and cliffhangers.  I'm not peddling books and periodicals, but the following info and weblinks may help you locate some interesting readin' and reference material.

Australian John Reid loves movies ... and that includes the A and B grade western. Four of John's books are shown on the left - these are trade paperbacks with glossy covers, the size is about 8 x 11, page quantity on these four books is between 220-275 pages, and each has lots of film reviews/details. There's also some B&W photos, posters, lobby cards, etc. John has authored a lot more books on the cinema and I asked him for some background on his prolific writings: "Westerns and B movies were always super-popular in Australia. Mind you, moviegoers didn't have much choice. The film exchange that represented both Republic and Monogram also owned the nation's largest cinema chain. Gene Autry was my number one favorite, but when he left Republic, his films disappeared with him. I'd never seen any of his Columbia movies until two or three years ago when they started appearing on DVD. It was great to catch up with them at last, but I still prefer his Republic movies. So from Saturday matinees, I graduated into a part-time movie critic. The job didn't pay much, but I got to see all the new movies for free. Revivals as well. For a good time, I was actually working for two rival weekly newspapers, so I had to use a pseudonym for one of them. Of course, the editors knew all about this. In fact, one introduced me to the other. Fortunately, the first paper concentrated on new cinema releases, while the second mostly reviewed the movies upcoming on TV! This meant keeping a system of file cards on every movie I saw. So that's how the film books evolved." His books on westerns are about $20.00 each, and you can order from various online book outfits like amazon.com. You can find out more at his website: http://www.filmclassics.info John's e-mail is: johnreid@mail.qango.com

Sharon Lee Willing has authored No One to Cry To: A Long, Hard Ride into the Sunset with Foy Willing of The Riders of the Purple Sage. Sharon is Foy's widow, and the book chronicles his rise to national popularity on radio, million-selling records, and work in B westerns with Charles Starrett, Monte Hale and Roy Rogers. It also includes his sad career decline and battle with alcohol and drugs. Published November, 2006, the 6 X 9 paperback has about 260 pages and includes a complete filmography, discography, and lots of photos. You can order through the publisher, Wheatmark, Inc., or online at stores including amazon and Borders. The price is about $20.00 at Amazon and directly from Wheatmark: http://www.amazon.com/No-One-Cry-Sunset-Willing/dp/158736686X More info is available at the Wheatmark website: http://www.wheatmark.com/catalog/entry/No-One-to-Cry-To

Long, long ago, I was a subscriber to Bill Harper's Pow-Wow newsletter about all things relating to Straight Arrow. Harper has authored a book on this popular radio hero and series. STRAIGHT ARROW: A Complete Radio Log and Definitive Resource for Straight Arrow Media, 1949-1956 by William Harper is about $23.00 postage paid. More info is available at the BearManorMedia website: http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=63&product_id=356 BearManor Media P O Box 71426 Albany, GA 31708

Donn and Nancy Moyer have authored a couple of books, Cowboy Cliffhangers and Cowpokes 'n' Cowbelles Of The Movies And Early TV (both books listed below on this webpage). Their latest is a nice biography and pictorial history of Don Kay "Little Brown Jug" Reynolds who portrayed Little Beaver in the Jim Bannon series of Red Ryder films. Titled The Last Little Beaver of the Movies, the softbound book has a glossy cover, is 8 x 10 1/2, contains 119 pages and over 180 photos, and is about $24.00 postage paid in the USA. Several pages are available to read and preview on their website at: http://users.telisphere.com/djmoyer55/cowboy.htm You can order directly from Nancy and Donn: Wild West Publishing Dept. W P.O. Box 8261 Tacoma, WA 98418

Eric van Hamersveld's five year project to find and document all the songs from the films of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans was completed in 2004. There's a songbook and CD sets ... some are expensive, boxed, limited editions while lesser-priced versions are also available. There's about 160 songs in the 28 westerns which starred Roy and Dale. When the films were issued for TV, they were cut down to a running time of about 54 minutes to fit an hour time slot. And most often, the musical portions wound up on the cutting room floor ... and those bits and pieces got lost or tossed. So, about 40% of the songs in this collection have not been heard in 50 years or so. As of July, 2011, the official Roy Rogers website had the sets available at about $30.00 which is a substantial discount from the original release prices. Go to: http://www.royrogers.com/store/product31.html

Tom Tyler Tales #1 above Tom Tyler Tales #2 above

Tom Tyler Tales #1 was issued in 2004: To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Tom Tyler, Calvin Castine, Sid Couchey and Arto Monaco have produced an 8 1/2 X 11 book commemorating Tyler's life. There's a B&W Tom Tyler comic, along with several full color and B&W posters and lobby cards, and a Tyler biography and filmography. Tom Tyler Tales is $7.50 each, with profits going to the mining/railroad museum in Port Henry, New York, for the purpose of providing a Tom Tyler display. Postage is $2.50 media mail and $4.00 priority. Add $.50 postage for each additional book. Tom Tyler Tales Too was issued in 2006: Tales Too is an 8 1/2 X 11 book and is the second of a two-part tribute to Tyler, commemorating his first starring role in FBO's LET'S GO GALLAGHER (1925). There's a B&W comic and over a hundred B&W stills and poster/lobby cards, some in B&W and some in color. This second book will raise money for the purchase of two historic markers to honor Moriah/Witherbee, New York natives Tom Tyler and Dodger pitcher Johnny Podres. Tales Too is $15.00 postpaid. Checks should be made out to Home Town Cable. Order from: Home Town Cable 1477 Ridge Road Champlain, NY 12919. Want more info? Calvin Castine's e-mail is hometowncable@yahoo.com

February, 2006: New book by Raymond E. White is available on Roy and Dale ... and is chock full of details and nitty gritty. King of the Cowboys, Queen of the West: Roy Rogers and Dale Evans (University of Wisconsin Press, 2005) is the most authoritative work on Roy and Dale to date. You can order through amazon.com and they have the paperback and hardbound volumes. Click HERE for the amazon.com page on the book.

Best Of The Badmen book is available. Authored by Boyd Magers, Bob Nareau and Bobby J. Copeland. Detailed bios, photos and filmographies on 315 men who played outlaws, bandits and polecats on the movie and TV western screen from 1930 to the '60s. As of March, 2012, you can still order from Boyd Magers and the cost is about $40.00 plus $6.00 postage in the US: http://www.westernclippings.com/products_books.shtml

July, 2005: Bobby Copeland's new book on the life and career of Johnny Mack Brown is now available. Written with the help of JMB's daughter Cynthia Brown Hale and the Brown Family, the 8 1/2 x 11 trade paperback contains over 150 pages, lots of family photos, a filmography, the 2004 Golden Boot award, comments from people who worked with JMB, more. $20.00 plus $2.00 shipping (USA); $4.00 by Priority Mail. Mention the Old Corral website in your order and Bobby will pay the shipping. If you'd like more info on book content or want to order, contact Bobby at:  bobbycopeland@comcast.net or, Bobby Copeland, 104 Claremont, Oak Ridge, TN 37830-7114 If you'd like Bobby to autograph, let him know.

A couple years ago, Donn and Nancy Moyer brought us Cowboy Cliffhangers (see below). Their new book is Cowpokes 'n' Cowbelles Of The Movies And Early TV, and it's a good 'un. There's biographies and lots of photos on many of the heroes, heroines and supporting players of the ol' B-western movie and 1950s TV westerns. This 8 X 10 softbound has 200+ pages and about 175 photos, and is about $24.00 postage paid in the USA. Several pages are available to read and preview on their website at: http://users.telisphere.com/djmoyer55/cowboy.htm Or you can order directly from: Wild West Publishing Dept. W P.O. Box 8261 Tacoma, WA 98418

After many years of researching, Merrill T. McCord has issued his Brothers of the West, a lengthy and detailed biography of the Randall Brothers --- Bob Livingston and Jack Randall. This book is absolutely superb! The 8 1/2 x 11 softcover contains about 450 pages and over 200 photos and can be ordered directly from: Merrill McCord 10208 Fleming Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 for $37.95 (includes postage). For more info, click HERE. July, 2007 update: you can still order directly from Merrill McCord at the above price.

For those of you interested in learning all the facts and nitty gritty about Tom Mix, M. G. 'Bud' Norris has authored the definitive bio on the great western movie star.  This $24.95 trade paperback is about 8 1/2 x 11 inches in size, has 377 pages ... includes a complete filmography, info on Mix's circus days, info on the Tom Mix radio program and Ralston premiums, lots of photos of lobby cards, postcards, arcade cards, etc.  I ordered my copy direct from Bud and the price was $27.95, including postage.  Bud will also autograph/inscribe if you wish.  Bud's mail address is: M. G. Norris 1324 N. Hague Ave. Columbus OH 43204-2108 Want more info? Bud's e-mail address is: Budntom9@aol.com

Donn and Nancy Moyer have contributed a bunch of info and photos to the Old Corral, and both are great fans of the B western and serial. Donn has authored a book covering all sound chapterplays that have a western or outdoor theme, and the title is Cowboy Cliffhangers.  The book is an 8 x 11 softbound, has about 160 pages and 60 photos, and contains a plot synopsis, cast list, interesting tidbits, more. Now in the 3rd printing with updates on individuals who have passed away since the original was published. The book is about $24.00 postage paid in the USA. You can find out more about the book, and also read the first four pages which are online at their website: http://users.telisphere.com/djmoyer55/cowboy.htm Or you can order directly from: Wild West Publishing Dept. W P.O. Box 8261 Tacoma, WA 98418

About a quarter of a century ago, Australian Bob Larkin was working on a manuscript about the career and films of World War II hero Audie Murphy. Larkin passed away and his work sat for several decades ... until Boyd Magers contacted Larkin's widow. Boyd used Larkin's material, expanded it, and added much of his own knowledge as well as tidbits from people who knew and worked with Murphy. The end result is an excellent look at Audie Murphy as a Hollywood film hero and as a person. Murphy did 49 films and there's nitty gritty details on each, including tradepaper and newspaper reviews. Ye Old Corral webmaster enjoys Murphy's westerns and also knew about his WW2 exploits and that he had been killed in a 1971 plane crash. But I wasn't familiar with Audie Murphy as a person who was troubled, sometimes violent, and in later life, having financial problems. Those kinds of personal, real life details and turmoil are covered. The hardcover book measures about 7 x 10 1/2 and has 232 pages. The price is about $45.00 from the publisher as well as from amazon.com and other booksellers. Published by McFarland: http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?isbn=0-7864-1761-7 Or you order directly from Boyd Magers who has them available at a special price of $40.00 postpaid. If you'd like Boyd to autograph, let him know. Boyd Magers Western Clippings/VideoWest 1312 Stagecoach Road SE Albuquerque, NM 87123 Boyd's e-mail address is: vidwest@comcast.net and website: http://www.westernclippings.com/

John Wayne Fans ... Rejoice! Fred Landesman has done a superb job in authoring the finest filmography on John Wayne. Earlier Wayne film books - and I have several - don't measure up when compared to this wonderfully written, nitty-gritty reference covering all the Duke's movies. Details on each film include: full cast and crew, release date, reviews, plot synopsis. And there's a notes section which has tidbits such as: negative costs, what movie locations were used, profiles and background on performers and production personnel, more. The 7 x 10 softcover version has about 450 pages and the price is about $45.00. The ultimate reference on Wayne's films. Published by McFarland: http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-3252-3 Sad to report that Fred Landesman passed away on October 15, 2004.

Scarecrow Press has issued a paperback version of The Mystery of the Masked Man's Music: A Search for the Music Used on "The Lone Ranger" Radio Program, 1933-1954 by Reginald M. Jones, Jr. for about $34.00. The original hardbound book was published in the late 1980s. The ISBN is 0-8108-3974-1. Click HERE for the Scarecrow Press website page describing the book. Click HERE for the ordering page at amazon.com.

For those of you interested in learning all the facts and details about Tex Ritter, including his school days in Texas, law school work at the University of Texas, his stage work in shows like Green Grow The Lilacs, Broadway shows, radio, and more, pick up a copy of Bill O'Neal's great Tex Ritter, America's Most Beloved Cowboy. Published in 1998 by Eakin Press (Austin, Texas), the ISBN number is 1-57168-249-X.  This 8 1/2 x 11 trade paperback has about 150 pages, hundreds of photos (including many of Ritter's childhood and school days), filmography, discography, and lots more.  The price is about $22.00. The website for Eakin Press is: http://www.eakinpress.com/ or go to Bill O'Neal's personal website at: http://www.billonealbooks.com/westernfilms.htm#films Another definitive work on Tex is The Tex Ritter Story by Johnny Bond (Chappell Music Company, 1976), which is occasionally available via used book shops on the Internet.

Want a lot more details and nitty-gritty on Buck Jones?  Western film expert Buck Rainey has authored a couple books: one detailing the Jones silents and the second covering the Jones talkies. The publisher was Ron and Linda Downey's World of Yesterday, which sadly, is no longer publishing due to the passing of Ron Downey. You may be able to locate used copies of these out-of-print books. Run searches on the various used book websites at the top of this page.

Karl Whitezel authored a book on Crabbe which was published in 1997.  The softcover, titled Buster Crabbe, A Self Portrait measures about 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, has 339 pages, a bunch of photos, and a Crabbe filmography. The ISBN number is 0-9662313-3-3. There's lots of details on Crabbe's life, including the Olympics, Flash Gordon, PRC westerns, Fuzzy St. John, Captain Gallant TV show, etc. ... as well as coverage on difficult family matters such as the death of Crabbe's daughter Sande from anorexia. You may be able to locate used copies of these out-of-print books. Run searches on the various used book websites at the top of this page.

For those of you who want to read more about Yakima Canutt, stuntwork and Hollywood history, see if you can find Stunt Man, The Autobiography of Yakima Canutt at your local library ... or from a used book outfit. This autobiography was co-authored by Oliver Drake, who wrote screenplays as well as directing and producing B westerns.  It was first published in 1979 by Walker and Company, New York, and is ISBN: 0-8027-0613-4. It was also issued in paperback by the University of Oklahoma Press - Norman, OK and London, ISBN: 0-8061-2927-1, first paperback printing was 1997. However, the paperback version is also out of print. Search for either the hardbound or paperback versions at one of the used book services.

Sweethearts of the Sage is a reference on the cowboy film heroine and is written by western film historian Buck Rainey (who has authored many cowboy film related books such as Shoot-Em-Ups and Saddle Aces of the Cinema).  Initially published by McFarland in 1992, this 8.5 x 11 book has an unbelievable 600+ pages with lots of pictures and filmographies on each heroine.  The 258 actresses in the book are from the 1920s through the end of the genre, and while it does cater toward the B western ladies, it also includes A picture actresses such as Maureen O'Hara and Susan Hayward.  This massive book is typical McFarland quality including a long life library binding ... but it's expensive at around $95.00.  Rainey has assembled material on the actresses from his own notes and interviews as well as material from other sources, and he includes that reference info at the end of each biography. If you have a question on whether your favorite heroines are included in this book, shoot me an e-mail with their names and I'll check the index and mail ya back!

I Was That Masked Man by Moore and Frank Thompson is a really nice biography of Clayton "Lone Ranger" Moore.  The softcover version measures about 6 X 9, has about 270 pages, and the appendices in the back of the book include a Moore filmography, a listing of all the LR TV shows by year, more.  And there's about 70 pictures in the book, including several of Moore in the LR costume, but without the mask.  There's many pages devoted to Moore's "bad guy" work in 1940s Republic serials. The hardcover and softcover versions are now out of print, but I did check some of the used book outfits in December, 2005, and you can find a copy or two (at prices in the $11-$50+ range). In October, 2009, I checked availability on new copies: Empire Publishing has it for about $18.00 and Oldies.com has it for about $15.00. You can find links to both at the top of this page.