Southern California has been the home of movie stars for over 100 years now. One of the most famous Western stars from the silent film era was William S. Hart. Originally a New York stage actor famous for leading roles in classic productions, as well as playing Messala in the original production of “Ben-Hur,” Hart made a sudden transition to films in 1913. While traveling with a stage production, he saw a Western film in a nickelodeon and was inspired to make Westerns by how terrible it was! Hart grew up traveling around the Old West and spent time with Sioux children learning the Sioux language and how to hunt and ride horses. Hart felt that with his knowledge, he could make authentic Westerns true to the Old West he remembered from his childhood.
From 1914 to 1925, Hart starred in approximately 70 feature films, many of them produced by his friend and former cast mate, Thomas Ince, who operated his own movie studio in Santa Monica. “Two Gun Bill” created an iconic character, a bad guy (outlaw, gamber, etc.) who has a heart of gold that puts him on a good honest path by the end of the film. The stories were gritty and realistic, forerunners of what would become the Epic Western. In 1917, his movies were some of the highest grossing in the industry. By the early 20’s, the flashy costume/flashy action westerns of Tom Mix became more fashionable. Hart made one last western, the epic “Tumbleweeds,” then retired in 1925. Until he passed away in 1946, he lived on his ranch in Newhall, which he bequeathed to the County of Los Angeles to be converted to a park and museum for the public.
Neek and I loved exploring the grounds of the William S. Hart Ranch, though at 260 acres, I doubt we covered even half that ground!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lDO2kQ2aDo
