Tape, VHS - "Broncho Billy: The First Reel Cowboy"
Object number2015.004.01
Date1998
MediumPlastic, Paper, Ink
Dimensions8 × 5 × 1 1/4 in. (20.3 × 12.7 × 3.2 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
Terms
Broncho Billy Anderson was born Maxwell Henry Aronson in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1880. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Pine Bluff and four years later to St. Louis where he studied acting. At the age of 22, Max moved to New York and changed his name to Gilbert M. Anderson. In 1903, he signed on as an actor with the Edison Film company that made the first feature film, “The Great Train Robbery.” Anderson played three characters in the movie and earned 50 cents an hour. In 1906, he moved to Chicago where he founded Essanay (S&A) Film Company with George Spoor. He was a producer, director, writer, and editor. He produced and starred in his first western in 1909. He introduced the world to the cowboy character “Broncho Billy Anderson” in 1910. In 1912, Anderson opened Essanay’s western branch in Niles, California. While there he made over 350 films including 140 Broncho Billy Anderson movies. He turned out a minimum of two movies a week. It was here that he signed Charlie Chaplin and filmed “The Little Tramp” in 1915. Anderson sold his share of Essanay in 1916. During the next few years, he purchased theaters and continued directing movies until 1921 when he formed the Amalgamated Producing Company and made the first film with Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel. In 1923, he retired from the film business. In 1958, he received an honorary Oscar for his contributions to movies. He died in 1971.
Status
Not on view
