Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Remembering Broncho Billy...!

We often forget about how the cowboy movies really got started. We can all thank Broncho Billy for that.

His real name was Gilbert Anderson, and he became well known as the famous Broncho Billy seen in the first westerns to hit the silver screens.

“Broncho Billy” Anderson born

Gilbert M. Anderson, the first western movie star, is born in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Better known as “Broncho Billy,” the name of the western hero he played in over 300 short films, Anderson was the first western movie star. Furthermore, he played several small parts in one of the first movies ever made, The Great Train Robbery. In 1903, Anderson won a role as a bandit in the film after telling the director he could ride like a Texas Ranger. When it became clear that Anderson could hardly get onto a horse, he was made an “extra” and played several minor parts. Later that year, the 10-minute movie received an enthusiastic reception from the public, and Anderson decided to make a career in the promising new business of telling stories in moving pictures.

Anderson moved to Chicago, which was becoming a minor moviemaking center. After a few years directing and occasionally starring in movies produced by others, Anderson decided to create his own production company. Forming a partnership with old friend George K. Spoor, in 1907 Anderson created the Essanay Company, which would later be credited as one of the best of the early movie studios.

At first, Anderson made comedies, but remembering the brilliant success of The Great Train Robbery, he eventually turned to Westerns. Anderson was one of the first movie producers to realize that the public needed a central character in the movies, a “star” on which they could focus their attention. In 1909, though, there were no movie stars and stage actors were reluctant to risk films. Anderson decided to make himself the star, creating the character “Broncho Billy” out of ideas about the West culled from popular dime novels.

In 1909, Anderson released his first western, Broncho Billy and the Baby. It was an enormous success and convinced Anderson that he should stick with Westerns starring the Broncho Billy character. Over the next five years, Anderson made over 300 short one- or two-reel movies featuring Broncho Billy. Physically, Anderson was not especially handsome or dashing, but audiences liked Broncho Billy for his courageous virtue and bravery.

In 1915, Anderson released his last film in the series, Broncho Billy’s Sentence, and thereafter turned to writing. A few years later he attempted a comeback, but by then the western field was dominated by more dashing actors like Tom Mix and William S. Hart. He made comedies for several years before retiring. Later recognized and honored for his pivotal role in the development of the Western, in 1965 he made a cameo appearance in a modern Hollywood Western called The Bounty Killer, his first talking picture.

Anderson died in his sleep on January 20, 1971, at the age of 88.

I think that Broncho had a great idea in giving the public a hero to focus on. Not to mention being responsible for making the whole "cowboy movie" trend popular. Thanks Mr. Anderson!

Coffee out on the patio, where it feels more like Summer than Spring!

4 comments:

linda m said...

Thank you Mr. Anderson. I loved all those old Westerns. The cold has returned here again. I am so ready for steady warm temps. This up and down stuff is killing me. Save my spot on the swing. I'll bring some crullers.

Momlady said...

I loved the old westerns. Hardly watch any today. Many a cowboy became my hero when I was a kid, but I didn't know of Bronco Billy. Thank you for the history.

JO said...

I remember his name but not any of the movies. But I bet my grandmother new him well she loved western movies and had those copper horses all over the house. Wonder what happened to them.

Yes this weather is crazy we have been in the 90's for over a week and tomorrow it will be in the 60's. Patio time at your place is always fine by me

HermitJim said...

Hey Linda...
The old ones are better than the new in my opinion. I'm ready for a steady dose of warmer weather as well. Don't care for the Winter, although I know we need it!
Thanks for stopping by today!


Hey Momlady...
I think we all liked the old westerns and cowboys were always first in line as far as heroes go.
Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Jo...
I bet that she would remember him, for sure. I think the crazy weather is about over for a bit. Spring seems mostly here to stay!
Thanks for dropping by today!