Michael F. Blake is een bekroonde make-upartiest met zestig jaar ervaring in de filmindustrie. Overgestapt van kindacteur op tweejarige leeftijd, werd hij op eenentwintigjarige leeftijd een van de jongste professionals in de make-upartiestenafdeling. Zijn uitgebreide filmografie omvat talloze iconische films en toont zijn belangrijke bijdragen aan de filmkunst. Blake is ook de belangrijkste biograaf van de stomme filmster Lon Chaney, auteur van definitieve werken over het leven en de carrière van de acteur, en een gerespecteerde historicus van het Western-genre door zijn inzichtelijke boeken en presentaties.
The shoot-out at the O.K. Corral, lasting just 30 seconds, resulted in three deaths and two injuries, captivating American imagination for generations. Central to this narrative are Wyatt Earp, the resilient hero, and Doc Holliday, his unexpected ally, alongside the poignant saga of the Earp family. The legend's allure quickly caught Hollywood's attention, leading to numerous film adaptations since 1939, each varying in historical accuracy but rich in American storytelling and entertainment.
Focusing on the production of iconic Western films, this book delves into the making of "High Noon," "Shane," and "The Searchers." Author Michael F. Blake draws from extensive archives, including scripts, memos, and production reports, to reveal the challenges and successes faced by directors Fred Zinnemann, George Stevens, and John Ford. The narrative is enriched with rare behind-the-scenes photographs and memorabilia, offering a comprehensive look at the filmmaking process and the historical context of these cinematic masterpieces.
The Cowboy President: The American West and the Making of Theodore Roosevelt reveals how Roosevelt's time spent in the Western Dakota Territory helped him recover from an overwhelming personal loss, but more importantly, how it transformed him into the man etched onto Mount Rushmore, a man who is still rated as one of the top five Presidents in American history. Unlike other Roosevelt biographies, The Cowboy President details how the land, the people and the Western code of honor had an enormous impact on Theodore and how this experience influenced him in his later years.