Alan LeMay
A Biography of the Author of The Searchers
$29.95
In stock
About the Book
Although much has been written about the 1950s cult film The Searchers, Alan LeMay, the author of the novel upon which the movie is based, has received little attention. This welcome biography tells the engaging story of the career freelance writer who sold his first story at age 19 and never held a permanent job. LeMay gained success in the 1930s writing Westerns and in the 1940s penning scripts for “big outdoor” films but he is best remembered for Searchers (1953) and another novel adapted into a popular film, The Unforgiven (1957). Sometimes rich but frequently poor, LeMay supported a family with his writing and engaged in a variety of ventures, including cattle ranching, polo playing, flying, and road racing. This narrative of his unconventional life offers an insider’s view of Hollywood and conveys the unique stresses of a career in screenwriting.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
Dan LeMay
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 216
Bibliographic Info: 39 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6690-0
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8981-7
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Preface 1
1. Washout 3
2. Origins 6
3. Heading West 22
4. Rancho Una Vaca 31
5. Recovery 41
6. Hello, Hollywood 44
7. Reap the Wild Wind 50
8. Life in the Film Colony 56
9. World War II 69
10. The Foto-Electric Games 76
11. Mark Twain 81
12. The Story of Dr. Wassell 90
13. The Rurales 96
14. Useless Cowboy 102
15. A Year at Warner’s 108
16. The Walking Hills 116
17. The Business of Filmmaking 122
18. Independence 130
19. Working with the Military 144
20. Television 153
21. Racing 156
22. Legacy 163
Appendix: Story List 183
Notes 193
Annotated Bibliography 197
Index 203
Book Reviews & Awards
“a real inside look at pulp writing…a great read…well done and interesting…photos are…fabulous…a treat…a great job all around”—Classic Images.
