Hollywood's West: The American Frontier in Film, Television, And History

"Hollywood's West" examines popular perceptions of the frontier as a defining feature of American history. Seventeen essays by prominent film scholars illuminate the allure of life on the edge of civilization and analyze how this region has been represented on big and small screens. Characterizations of the frontier in modern culture reveal truths about American consciousness and provide insights into classic Western films and programs, from RKO's 1931 classic "Cimarron" to Turner Network Television's made-for-TV movies. Covering topics such as the portrayal of race, women, myth, and nostalgia, "Hollywood's West" makes a significant contribution to the understanding of how Westerns have shaped our nation's beliefs - often using the frontier as metaphor for contemporary issues.