From the 1930s through the 1950s, B Westerns were produced in rapid succession by major studios and "Poverty Row" independents alike. Known for their unabashedly formulaic plots and non-stop action, B Westerns have come to characterize the Golden Age of Western films. Often made in a matter of days on a shoestring budget, these films were star vehicles for actors such as Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Tex Ritter, John Wayne, and others whose names became synonymous with the Western genre. In The Encyclopedia of B Westerns, Cynthia J. Miller provides a comprehensive overview of the films, themes, and personnel that brought the frontier West to life on the American screen. This extensive encyclopedia looks at the heroes, villains, sidekicks, and leading ladies of B Westerns, as well as the films that made them famous. Including career biographies for many of the unsung actors and actresses of the B Western, as well as glimpses into little-known films not generally discussed, this book is a valuable reference for film scholars, students, and film enthusiasts.

Author Biography

Cynthia J. Miller, a cultural anthropologist specializing in visual culture and popular entertainment, is scholar in residence at Emerson College (Boston, MA).