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www.blackhorsewesterns.org

Cowboy Bob's Trading Post #2

Aleister Crowley . . . BHWs depose king of the beastly pen-names.	Web pages listing authors' pseudonyms have hailed the late Hale/BHW writer Lauran Paine as one of the very highest among the world's pen-name users. Bibliographer John Herrington now reveals that his record — 90 names including 45 on his 154 westerns for Hale — is exceeded by John Glasby, who has had his work published under 155 names, 44 of them on his 45 BHWs. These westerns, which are reissues of Glasby's books first published in the 1950s, have recently included *Treasure of San Miguel* by Dean Layton and *Battle at Circle Four* by Luke Holt. The previous world record holder for pen names is said by one authority to have been Edward Alexander Crowley (1875-1947), who used 150 names and was better known as the notorious occultist Aleister Crowley, or simply "the Beast".

Livelier signs in the UK?	Columnist Emanuel Levy, of Movie City News, began a recent article with the Clint Eastwood quote: "Americans are famous for overlooking their own art forms. The western has had great moments of popularity in film history. At one time it was mainstream, but now people won't take it seriously." Levy added, "Speaking of westerns, with the notable exception of Eastwood's work, the genre has been dead for two decades, ever since [Sam] Peckinpah died. Indeed, for years it seemed as if Eastwood purposely set out to remind audiences of their unique tradition. Eastwood's deep love of and understanding for the genre shows in every frame of his westerns, beginning with his 1973 directorial debut, *High Plains Drifter, in which he also starred." And as folks here know, all the while (even before!) British publishing house Robert Hale* has been turning out its western novels. . . . Anyone have Mr Levy's address? We must drop him a (Black Horse Western) line. . . .

	Odd facts department . . . The horse was indigenous to North America until about fifteen thousand years ago. Then, for reasons unknown, the wild herds died out over a period of about seven thousand years and the horse became extinct. Native Americans (the people our books call Indians, right?) had never seen domesticated horses until the Spaniards first brought them to America. According to one source, they were amazed at the strange animals they called "wonderful big dogs". Hmm . . . maybe it's as well it didn't catch on. Can you imagine asking at the library for Black Wonderful-Big-Dog Westerns?

Jennifer Tilly . . . a real cowgirl.	Actress Jennifer Tilly provides the voice for Grace in the Walt Disney animated movie *Home on the Range, the story of three cows who go on a quest to capture a cattle rustler, the bounty on whom will save their farm. Replace the cows and ain't that a good storyline for a BHW? Asked if she liked westerns, Jennifer said, "Oh, I love westerns. I wish the western would come back. Maybe with this and The Alamo. I like westerns because I like the archetypes. You know, the bad guy and the good guy and the strong, silent guy, and family values. But I think especially the idea of leaving the confines. I think this is sort of like a bovine Thelma and Louise* ."

	F inding original titles is a challenge for BHW writers with more than two thousand westerns published in the Hale series alone. Months after completing *Ride the Wild Country, author Chap O'Keefe* discovered to his horror that the book's name had been used not once but three times before, identically! Lists O'Keefe came across on the Net told him his title had appeared on books by Cliff Farrell, Wade Hamilton and Lee Floren. He quickly emailed publisher John Hale suggesting a substitute. Back came the reply, "Many thanks. . . . It would not surprise me if fifty per cent of the western titles had been used previously, so I am not really worried unless any title duplicates one already on our list or published within the past few years. . . . I don't want to make the change at this stage and, as you will have gathered, I don't think it's necessary. Nor do I think it would harm your sales at all."

"Higher" education.	The learning in westerns isn't all triggernometry. A community education programme at St Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, run on Sundays in February, included sessions on Christian spirituality, preserving family history, digital photography — and the psychology of westerns. Under examination were the themes (courage, responsibility, integrity, values, relationships, community) and the characters involved in three classic movies: *High Noon* starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, *Shane* starring Alan Ladd, and *The Searchers* starring John Wayne.

	Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert has been good value for years. Here's an apt, all-purpose quote from his review of the western *Bad Company*. "The myth of the American West was mostly invented long after the West itself had been settled, civilized and made fit for Disneyland. Movie Westerns are usually romantic fantasies with no connection to a real West that ever existed; we know that, but we like them anyway because the escapism is fun." Same can be said for many BHWs, movie lovers. . .

	Newly declassified transcripts of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger reveal love of westerns at the highest level. In 1973, Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev was due to visit, and Kissinger asked for movies, especially westerns. Kissinger said, "I mean, quite seriously, this would be a good way to build up some credit with him." Later, he told Frank Yablans, president of Paramount Pictures, "How nice of you to call me . . . We have Brezhnev in Camp David over the weekend and he's a nut on cowboy movies and I've got some cowboy movies, but now I've found out he doesn't speak a word of English." Yablans said he'd try to subtitle the John Wayne western *True Grit*. "Oh, aren't you nice," said Kissinger.

Not licked yet.	Louis L'Amour fans don't lack for stamina. They're sticking with a project launched in 1998 in the late top storyteller's hometown — Jamestown, North Dakota. They want a commemorative stamp honouring L'Amour's forty-year writing career and are still lobbying the United States Postal Service after seven years. They request, "Please send your card or letter in support to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee in Washington."

	BHW writer Gillian F. Taylor tells us about *Riding the Outlaw Trail: in the Footsteps of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, by Simon Casson* and Richard Adamson ( ISBN 1903070228). "I'd never heard of either writer before, but I'm interested in Butch and Sundance, so I borrowed the book, and stayed up late to finish reading it. The two writers are both English, and with a third person, they set out to ride the length of the Outlaw Trail from Mexico to Canada. I found this a fascinating book and highly recommend it. Plenty of practical advice on packing, horse management and survival, plus enough on geography and weather to make this a valuable addition to any writer/historian's library. The stories of outlaw escapades are sufficient set any writer thinking of plots and escapes, too!"

Still full of life.	BHW author Ian Parnham recently borrowed Lee F. Gregson's *The Dead Men of Lauder* from his local library. The book is one of the nearly 50 BHWs written by Laurie Robinson, who died in 1999. This one was published in 1992 and, despite the passage of 13 years and being read by more than 100 western fans, Ian can report that the old-timer is in excellent condition, serving its readers well. Ian wonders if any of you have an older BHW in active service at your local library. So, if you've sighted an older book, be sure to let him know.

	Shoot! We may have it wrong. *Pulp Rack* editor Duane Spurlock noticed "pistol man" and "pistol men" in Lee F. Gregson BHW titles. "This isn't a usual term — or else I'm just more accustomed to seeing 'gunman' or 'gunmen'. Is it a British-English colloquialism?" Chap O'Keefe replied no. "The writer's idiosyncrasy, I'd say . . . 'shootist' strikes me as being particularly American West and nineteenth-century." Martin Slusser quickly returned, "In the South-West and Mexico it's 'pistolero' . . . 'shootist' came along late in the game." James Reasoner said, "Pulp author J. Edward Leithead was fond of 'coltman', which always looked odd . . . I'm glad he used it though, because it helped identify as his stories he wrote under a house-name." Then a Net forum on self-defence revealed, "'Shootist' was prevalent in dime novels of the late 1800s, interchangeable with 'pistoleer' and 'pistolero'. Anecdotal evidence indicates 'shootist' was acceptable to the men about whom the novels were written, while they were derisive of other appellations." Another quote from the self-defenders said, "Used by Old West journalists to mean 'gunfighter'. Made popular by John Wayne's last movie, *The Shootist*`.`" The debate was held at an online BHW group where you, too, can put views, ask questions or just eavesdrop. Subscription cost is nil. Shoot along to Yahoo now!