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.
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?
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.
8 Responses
Frankenstein’s daughter and Jesse James in the same movie? That can’t help but be an award winner! 😉
Perhaps someday you will be writing about MRS. Jesse James on the silver screen… a movie based on your book would be a winner in my opinion.
Sioux, it was funny to find out some of the strange ways a scriptwriter could insert Jesse James into a movie.
I’d love to see IAMJJ made into a movie. Sigh. Maybe someday… 🙂
This was a very interesting post about Jesse. I envision Mrs. Jesse James made into a movie.
Thanks, Linda! A movie deal would be sweet indeed. 🙂
I agree–IAMJJ should be made into a movie. That’s one I would watch! I didn’t watch the old Westerns growing up, but I’ve discovered them on the radio. I love to listen to them in the car.
Amy, I didn’t realize you could get old westerns on the radio! I’ll have to look into that. On long driving trips, I enjoy listening to audio books. It makes the time go by faster.
I didn’t know Johnny wrote a book about Jesse James. Johnny Boggs is so great! And I bet that book is particularly interesting to you with your book about Mrs. James. Interesting post!
Margo, Johnny’s a wonderful writer and – bonus! – also an all-around great guy. I met him when I was at Northfield in September.