I noticed that I spelling Broncho Billy’s name incorrectly throughout my last post (now corrected). It’s spelled Broncho – not Bronco – with an H in there.
I was feeling embarrassed about this until I noticed that other folks have made the same mistake – such as on Hollywood Walk of Fame Star!
See below:
Did they do that intentionally?
I just know that I can fix my mistake more easily than they can theirs.
Then there’s this:
I don’t feel so bad now.
The Posters
Though Broncho is said to have made some 400 films, film posters for his movies are scarce. I’m guessing there was plenty made, but now are long lost. I hope to discover some more … ??
I was doing some research for images of Early Western Movie Stars. I’d already done some work about William S. Hart, but I discovered that a chap called Broncho Billy Anderson was probably the first Western Movie Star. Anderson made about 400 silent Western films – and had multiple roles in the great Western Classic: Great Train Robbery (1903).
If you had seen The Great Train Robbery in its original showing you’d be about 112 years now. Pardner.
Famous still shot from silent Western Film Classic, The Great Train Robbery
Anderson played three roles in The Great Train Robbery (1903)
Most of these films were very short and now (unfortunately) are long-lost – but not forgotten as there are a couple of agencies like the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum (http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/) who find, restore, and show any that may still be around. Good work Niles!
Niles Essanay Silent Film MuseumBroncho Billy Anderson / Handsome Gentleman
Gilbert M. “Broncho Billy” Anderson (March 21, 1880 – January 20, 1971)
American actor, writer, film director, and film producer, who is best known as the first star of the Western film genre.
The genre’s first Western film hero and star, who made about 400 “Broncho Billy” westerns, beginning with Broncho Billy and the Baby (1910); his last silent western role was in The Son of a Gun (1919).
We are favored with several wonderful portrait and publicity shots of Billy.
Anderson was immensely popular in his day, a superstar in contemporary terms. In 1958, Anderson received an honorary Academy Award as a “motion picture pioneer, for his contributions to the development of motion pictures as entertainment.”
Below:
2002 WESTERN HERITAGE WRANGLER AWARD National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
Gilbert M. “Broncho Billy” Anderson
Hall of Great Western Performers
