Billy the Kid on Film, 1911–2012

A comprehensive filmography, this book is composed of lengthy entries on about 75 films depicting legendary New Mexico outlaw Billy the Kid—from the lost Billy the Kid (1911) to the blockbuster Young Guns (1988) to the direct-to-video 1313: Billy the Kid(2012) and everything in between. Each entry gives a synopsis, cast and credits, critical reception, and a discussion of the events of the films compared to the historical record. Among the entries are made-for-TV and direct-to-video films, foreign movies, and continuing television series in which Billy the Kid made an appearance.

Johnny D. Boggs, former newspaper writer, is an award-winning author of Western fact and fiction. He has contributed to such magazines as True West and Boys’ Life. A past president of the Western Writers of America, he is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Johnny D. Boggs
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 292
Bibliographic Info: 78 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2013
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6555-2
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0335-3
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments vi

Introduction 1

One.  Billy the Kid, 1859–1881 3

Two.  Billy the Kid in Pop Culture 12

Three.  The Silent Era, 1911–1916 15

Four.  Early Billy, 1930–1938 22

Five.  The PRC Programmers, 1940–1943 38

Six.  The 1940s: Bs, As and The Outlaw 64

Seven.  The 1950s: The Kid Moves Forward 98

Eight.  Pat Garrett Rides Alone, 1948–1958 151

Nine.  The 1960s: The Decline of Billy the Kid 167

Ten.  Billy Turns Violent, 1970–1973 182

Eleven.  The 1980s and Beyond: Young Actors, Young Guns 211

Twelve.  Billy in Foreign Films 231

Thirteen.  Billy in Made-for-TV Movies 238

Fourteen.  Billy in Continuing Television Series 242

Fifteen.  Direct-to-Video Billies 249

Appendix: Forgotten Billies 253

Chapter Notes 255

Bibliography 269

Index 277

“recommended”—ARBA; “excellently researched…fascinating…highly recommend[ed]”—True West; “excellent”—Western Clippings; “an interesting and complete look at how historic outlaw Billy The Kid has been depicted in movies…recommended”—Examiner.com.