Hollywood Of The Rockies

In the early days of the twentieth century, movies weren't made in California. As America's film pioneers traveled westward, Colorado became a beacon to them, contributing to the early motion picture business with all the relish and gusto of a western saga. The gorgeous natural scenery was perfect for the country's (and the world's) growing infatuation with the West, turning Colorado itself into a bigger star of the early cinema than any particular actor. Using rare photos and contemporary accounts, writer and filmmaker Michael J. Spencer explores the little-known filmmaking industry that flourished in the Rocky Mountains between 1895 and 1915--west of New York but east of Hollywood.

The storied town of Durango is situated on the farmlands of the Ancestral Puebloans, which later became the hunting grounds for the Southern Utes, in the Animas River Valley of southwestern Colorado. Founded in 1880 as the headquarters of the Silverton branch of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, Durango became the supply depot for gold and silver mines up and down the Western Slope. One of the few old-time cowboy towns in Colorado that retains the vibrancy of a self-supporting downtown of hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses, Durango has worked actively to restore and remodel historic buildings. Enhanced by stories of Spanish explorers, miners, settlers, early entrepreneurs, and the desperadoes of Western lore as well as Hollywood myth, Durango has earned a reputation as one of the Rocky Mountains' favorite travel destinations.

The book is a biography about Dan Thornton, a highly successful and well known purebred beef cattle producer (1937-1953) and an effective, flamboyant but controversial Colorado Governor (1951-1955). From humble beginnings as the son of sharecroppers in West Texas, to president of the Texas 4-H Clubs at age 16, to the sale of two Hereford bulls for a world record price ($50,000 each) at the 1945 National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO, to a record Hereford sale in 1947, to winning the Governorship of Colorado as a last minute replacement candidate at 39 years of age, to being largely responsible for the location of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, Dan Thornton's story is an interesting and exciting adventure. He was a friend with unknowns and celebrities alike, including Dwight Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Randolph Scott, Lauritz Melchior and Ben Hogan. He campaigned early for Eisenhower for U.S. President. He was Colorado's super salesman from cherries, beef, uranium, and coal to interstate highways and tourism. His grave marker in Gunnison, CO is inscribed with the tribute, "A Man Who Matched Our Mountains."

Offers you the unique opportunity to experience the captivating past of the Wild West in one of the most fascinating states in the USA. Once the epicenter of America's Wild West, Colorado is rich in stories, legends, and adventures from this exciting era. During your trip through Colorado, you'll have the opportunity to visit historic sites closely associated with the legendary figures of the Wild West, including famous outlaws like Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid. Feel the aura of the past in the historic mining towns that were once the center of the silver and gold rushes, such as Leadville and Silverton. A visit to Colorado allows you to relive the era of railroads, when the transcontinental railroad changed the American West forever. In Durango, you can even take a ride on a historic steam locomotive that will take you back in time to the Wild West. Explore the sprawling landscapes once traversed by indigenous people and pioneers, and visit forts and trading posts that played an important role in the expansion of the West. Immerse yourself in the culture of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes and learn about their relationship with the land.

This is a lively history of three Rocky Mountain states in the twentieth century. With the sure hand of an experienced writer and the engaging voice of a veteran storyteller, the well-known historian Duane A. Smith recounts the major social, political, and economic events of the period with verve and zest. Smith is thoroughly familiar with his subject and has a genuine enthusiasm for the history of the region. Written with the general reader in mind, Rocky Mountain Heartland will appeal to students, teachers, and “armchair historians” of all ages. This is the colorful saga of how the Old West became the New West. Beginning at the end of the nineteenth century and concluding after the turn of the twenty-first, Rocky Mountain Heartland explains how Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming evolved over the course of the century. Smith is mindful of all the factors that propelled the region: mining, agriculture, water, immigration, tourism, technology, and two world wars. And he points out how the three states responded in varying ways to each of these forces. Although this is a regional story, Smith never loses sight of the national events that influenced events in the region. As Smith skillfully shows, the vast natural resources of the three states attracted optimistic, hopeful Americans intent on getting rich, enjoying the outdoors, or creating new lives for themselves and their families. How they resolved these often-conflicting goals is the modern story of the Rocky Mountain region.

The Rough Guides Snapshot USA: The Rockies is the ultimate travel guide to this distinctively scenic part of the USA. It leads you through the region with reliable information and comprehensive coverage of all the sights and attractions, from sophisticated Denver and the winter sports' capital of Aspen to hiking in Yellowstone and jet-boating Hells Canyon. Detailed maps and up-to-date listings pinpoint the best cafés, restaurants, hotels, shops, bars and nightlife, ensuring you make the most of your trip, whether passing through, staying for the weekend or longer. The Rough Guides Snapshot USA: The Rockiescovers the states of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Also included is the Basics section from the Rough Guide to The USA, with all the practical information you need for travelling in and around The Rockies, including transport, accommodation, food and drink, festivals, sports and other essentials. Also published as part of the Rough Guide to The USA. The Rough Guides Snapshot USA: The Rockies is equivalent to 98 printed pages.

Practical travel guide to The Rockies featuring points-of-interest structured lists of all sights and off-the-beaten-track treasures, with detailed colour-coded maps, practical details about what to see and to do in The Rockies, how to get there and around, pre-departure information, as well as top time-saving tips, like a visual list of things not to miss in The Rockies, expert author picks and itineraries to help you plan your trip. The Rough Guide to THE ROCKIES covers: Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Inside this travel guide you'll find: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER Experiences selection for every kind of trip to The Rockies, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Wyoming to family activities in child-friendly places, like Yellowstone National Park or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Grand Teton National Park. PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS Essential pre-departure information including The Rockies entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more. TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES Carefully planned routes covering the best of The Rockies give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip. DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options. INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for hiking, wildlife viewing and awe-inspiring scenic drives. HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS Rough Guides' rundown of Denver, Aspen, Glenwood Springs and Jackson's best sights and top experiences help to make the most of each trip to The Rockies, even in a short time. HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS: Written by Rough Guides' expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, to help to find the best places in The Rockies, matching different needs. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter features fascinating insights into The Rockies, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary. FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Sawtooth Mountains and the spectacular Zion National Park. COLOUR-CODED MAPPING Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in Boise, Denver and many more locations in The Rockies reduce need to go online. USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time.

They were the Bundy Drive Boys: hard-drinking, brilliantly talented, world-famous men of golden-age Hollywood - John Barrymore, Errol Flynn and W.C. Fields. Heroes with Hangovers tells the uncensored and ultimately moving story of these lost-soul geniuses. The partying and antics of the Rat Pack seem tame in comparison, but beneath the boozy bravado was a devoted mutual affection. Illustrated with dozens of never-before-seen photos and illustrations, this is the sozzled side of Hollywood's great era.