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.

September, 2005: Mike Chapman and Bobby Copeland's new book on the life and career of Tom Tyler is now available. Written with the help of the Tyler family, the 7 x 10 trade paperback contains about 125 pages and many photos. $22.00 postpaid. If you'd like more info on book content or want to order, contact Bobby at:  bobbycopeland@comcast.net Bobby Copeland, 104 Claremont, Oak Ridge, TN 37830-7114 If you'd like Bobby to autograph, let him know. Old Corral regulars are familiar with Bobby. Mike Chapman has also a lot of writing credits including the recent Please Don't Call Me Tarzan, the biography of Herman Brix/Bruce Bennett. Received several e-mails asking about this book vs. my Old Corral section on Tyler. The book contains lots of family info and photos; there's lots more detail and photos on Tyler's weightlifting, Los Angeles Athletic Club and AAU period; there's a bunch of photos of Tom and his wife Jeanne Martel, including some marriage photos; there's info on Tom's real estate business; there's a Tyler filmography; and you'll learn the real details about the medical problems which caused his death in 1954. Lots of new and interesting tidbits ... and a good read. Published by Culture House Books, Box 293, Newton, IA 50208.

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 lot of folks have asked about obtaining books and 8x10 photos relating to the western film and performers (as well as other film and TV genres).  There's a lot of places that sell books, and I've got links at the top of this page for both new and used. One good source of both books and photos is Empire Publishing in North Carolina.  They carry their own books and thousands of photos ... as well as books from other publishers.  And when you go to their website, you can simply e-mail them a request for a large catalog of their books and photos that will arrive in your mailbox within a week or two.  Their catalog has about 100 pages listing books and thumbnail images of available photos. Go to: http://www.empirepublishinginc.com/

Boyd Magers has authored a fun book titled So You Wanna See Cowboy Stuff? The Western Movie/TV Tour Guide. Some of the movie location info is provided by Tinsley Yarbrough. This hardcover book is about 8 1/2 x 11 1/4, has about 265 pages, loads of photos, and a very detailed index. Movie ranches and exterior locations are included with photos, narrative and mini/selected filmographies. This tour guide is organized by state - for example, the Alabama section includes a photo and the street address of Johnny Mack Brown's birthplace home. Naturally, the biggest section covers the state of California. Good read for those (like me) who have a real problem identifying locations used in westerns. And if you're hitting the road on vacation, this book may give you ideas on some well known --- and not very well known --- spots to visit. About $35.00 postage paid. Published by Empire Publishing: http://www.empirepublishinginc.com/

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://www.wa.net/~djmoyer/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.

Bobby J. Copeland has authored several books: The Bob Baker Story and The Whip Wilson Story (each of these are $11.95 postpaid), Trail Talk ($14.50 postpaid), B-Western Boot Hill ($17.00 postpaid), Five Heroes (Russ Hayden, Eddie Dean, John King, Tom Keene and George Houston) ($11.95 postpaid), Silent Hoof Beats (about the movie horses) ($22.00 postpaid), Bill Elliott, The Peaceable Man ($17.00 postpaid) , Roy Barcroft, King of the Badmen ($17.00 postpaid), and Charlie King - We called him Blackie ($17.00 postpaid). Four of the book covers are pictured on the left. If you'd like more info on book content, number of pages, etc., or want to order, contact Bobby at:  bobbycopeland@comcast.net or, Bobby Copeland, 104 Claremont, Oak Ridge, TN 37830-7114

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://www.wa.net/~djmoyer/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 hardcover book measures 7 x 10 1/2 and has 440 pages. A tad expensive at $75.00, but worth it ... especially if you're a Wayne fan and want the ultimate reference on his films. Published by McFarland: http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/ 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 nitty gritty about Tex Ritter, including his school days in Texas, law school work at the University of Texas, his stagework in shows like Green Grows 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/txmusic.htm The other definitive work on Ritter 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. In October, 2005, I received an e-mail from Rhonda Lemons at Empire Publishing (link at top of this page): "As far as we know, we purchased all the remaining copies of Buster Crabbe, A Self-Portrait from Mr. Whitezel's widow. We are selling them for $19.95 (reduced from their original retail of $24.95)." Karl Whitezel's website on the book was still working as of mid December, 2005: http://webforce.nwrain.com/buster/default.htm

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, 2005, I received an e-mail from Rhonda Lemons at Empire Publishing (link at top of this page): "I Was That Masked Man is available in softcover from Empire at $17.95."

David Rothel has written a number of cinema-related books, including The Singing Cowboys and Who Was That Masked Man: The Story of the Lone Ranger. An Ambush of Ghosts - A Personal Guide to Favorite Western Film Locations was published in 1990 by Empire Publishing.  I am really lousy at identifying western movie locations ... and this book has a ton of pictures and text about that subject.  This hardbound book measures 11 1/4 wide x 8 3/4 high, and contains about 275 pages. As of October, 2005, Empire Publishing no longer has copies. Check the used book seller links at the top of this webpage.