Gilbert M. Anderson
Director · 1880 – 1971 · Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
Born in 1880, ‘Broncho Billy’ Anderson is considered the first western film star. He played three film roles in “The Great Train Robbery” and then began to write, direct and act in his own films. After co-founding the Essanay Studios in 1907 with George Kirk Spoor, Anderson appeared in some 300 short films. But it was his 148 western shorts playing cowboy Bronco Billy that made him a star. He retired for the first time in 1916 but made a few comebacks, including producing movies into the 1950s for his company, Progressive Pictures. He received an honorary Oscar in 1958 as a “motion picture pioneer.” Anderson came out of retirement one more time for a cameo in 1965’s “The Bounty Hunter.” He died at age of 90 1971.
Movies23
Movie7.0WesternCrimeAfter the train station clerk is assaulted and left bound and gagged, then the departing train and its passengers robbed, a posse goes in hot pursuit of the fleeing bandits.
The Great Train Robbery
1903 · 722 votes
Movie4.4CrimeDramaA rough criminal gets a second chance at life thanks to a kindly (and wealthy) lady saloon patron. But he hasn't gone straight yet, as he and a partner attempt to rob the home of a rich homeowner-- whose wife is asleep in the next room.
His Regeneration
1915 · 30 votes
Movie6.5ComedyWalking along with his bulldog, Charlie finds a "good luck" horseshoe just as he passes a training camp advertising for a boxing partner "who can take a beating." After watching others lose, Charlie puts the horseshoe in his glove and wins. The trainer prepares Charlie to fight the world champion. A gambler wants Charlie to throw the fight. He and the trainer's daughter fall in love.
The Champion
1915 · 116 votes
Movie8.0ComedyEthel Walker and Tom Phelps are engaged to marry, but father objects. Later, when the old gentleman finds his daughter writing a note to Tom, promising him to elope, he calls in blacksmiths and has them put bars on the windows and grating in the door.
Outwitting Papa
1911 · 1 votes
Movie4.0ComedyWesternWhen rancher Arthur Mackley welcomes his daughter (Florence Perkes) to his ranch for a visit, all of the cowboys compete for her affections.
Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy
1912 · 1 votes
- Movie7.0Western
The capitalist one evening suddenly realizes that his wife is slowly drifting away from him. A certain young Rodney Hildebrand has been paying her great attention and her affairs are the common gossip at the club. He determines to at least save his wife's name from dishonor.
Her Lesson
1916 · 1 votes
Movie6.0WesternWillie Duggans, a tenderfoot from the east, arrives in the wild west and soon experiences its violence. Willie discovers the easy money in bounty killing and must choose between that violent lifestyle and the love of a beautiful saloon singer.
The Bounty Killer
1965 · 12 votes
Movie4.5DramaWesternIt's Christmas, and a young woman is on her way to celebrate the holidays with her parents. A group of drunk cowboys startle her horses making her wagon, with the woman on it, speed off. By chance Broncho Billy saves her life and the grateful girl invites him over for Christmas dinner. Little does he know that the young lady is the Sheriff's daughter…
Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner
1911 · 2 votes
Movie7.0DocumentaryTV MovieA documentary of Hollywood's first great Latin Lover, the contradictions in his personal life, and his premature death.
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
1961 · 1 votes
Movie10.0DocumentaryWesternThis documentary traces the history of the B-Western from it's silent movie origins to its demise in the early 1950s. The film contains a large number of scenes from early silents and seldom seen films, as well as old photographs of the stars and one-sheet advertisements for lost films.
Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs
2000 · 1 votes
- Movie10.0DramaRomance
The girl rejects her sweetheart, telling him that she loves him but prefers a career. She takes up nursing, by which she hopes sometime to become famous. The girl is called to the home of a famous singer, who has broken down. In her delirium the singer calls for the sweetheart of her girlhood. She tells of the disappointment in life despite her fame, and that she longs for a home and the simple things of life, with love.
Her Realization
1915 · 1 votes
MovieWesternTwo pals, Jack Manley and John French, are employed on a large ranch in Wyoming. French falls sick with fever and Jack goes for a doctor. This latter, however, refuses to accompany Jack without his payment in advance and Jack, in despair, is forced to depart without the doctor. Back at the bunkhouse he conceives the plan to hold up a pony express rider
A Pal's Oath
1911
Movie10.0ComedyThe custom of young women "tagging" men on the public streets (on a day specially set aside and called "Tag Day") to secure funds for various charitable purposes is the basis for this Comedy short.
Tag Day
1909 · 1 votes
MovieWesternBroncho marries a Mexican girl at the earnest entreaty of her dying father. Later a Mexican singer wins her love and, to get Broncho out of the way, she has him arrested and jailed on the charge of having assaulted her. In a frenzy of rage, Broncho secures the sheriff's revolver, escapes from jail and tracks the pair at his shack.
Movie6.5ComedyHenry Aldrich wants to win a trip to Alaska.
Life with Henry
1941 · 2 votes
Movie8.0ComedyThe boys want Simp to take a trip with them, but he fears his wife's objections. These, however, are circumvented, when a doctor, who is to be one of the party, pronounces Simp an invalid and argues that he must have a change of climate. Arrived at the resort, Simp has a great time until the clerk gets the letters mixed. Wifey soon scents something wrong
Hubby's Scheme
1911 · 1 votes
Movie8.0WesternOld Clayton, a ranchman, has a pretty daughter, Sue, who is loved by Dan Morris, a worthless cattleman. Clayton tries to force Sue to marry Morris, but the girl indignantly refuses, tells Morris she doesn't love him and goes to meet her real sweetheart.
A Story of Montana
1912 · 1 votes
- MovieWestern
Netty Parker and her sister, Mildred, two brave western girls, are instrumental in capturing two notorious outlaws in the cleverest of ways. Returning from town early one evening, they discover two bandits who have held up the afternoon stage, laughing over the division of the loot.
Western Girls
1912
MovieWesternA pretty western girl rejected a cowpuncher admirer for Bronche Billy. Snake, the rejected suitor, swears revenge and immediately proceeds to the village barroom to load up with ammunition, both for the gun and the stomach.
MovieWesternMatt Malone, a highwayman and night rider who has long baffled the police authorities, loves Nona McMahon, posing with her as a cowboy from up country.
- MovieWestern
Broncho Billy is a typical bad man. The story opens with him shooting up a small town in the west, and scaring the inhabitants nearly to death. The sheriff with his deputies order him out of the country. Sunday morning, the congregation is in church singing. Boardman, another bad man, and his protégés, break up the meeting. The preacher is ousted.
- Movie7.0Western
Broncho Billy becomes engaged. A month later the engagement is broken when the girl's father comes into a fortune. She moves to the city with her parents, where she lives surrounded by luxury.
Broncho Billy's Love Affair
1915 · 1 votes
MovieComedyWesternIn these days of women's equal rights, it is not strange to find the fair sex taking the places of men in every occupation. Women physicians are not unusual, but a really beautiful one is, and would have her hands full taking care of every lovesick swain, who would develop every known disease to have the pleasure of letting her feel his pulse or hold his head.