The Vanishing Legion: A History of Mascot Pictures, 1927-1935

by Jon Tuska

Overview

This beautifully written book is a definitive record of the players and productions of a film company that specialized in chapter plays and "B" movies and that became highly influential in winning an ever-widening public for the kind of films it innovated such as the musical Western. Cinema history at its best--written with careful attention to detail, and based on thorough research and exhaustive personal interviews--The Vanishing Legion offers critical treatment of every serial and feature produced by Mascot during its nine years of operation. Tom Mix, Gene Autry, John Wayne, Rin-Tin-Tin and other Western heroes ride and bark again through the pages of this fascinating book.

Appendices list cast and technical credits (plus chapter titles) for all Mascot serials and features. Comprehensive index. Several dozen seldom- or never-seen ads and stills are reproduced.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786407491
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	10/15/1999
Series:	McFarland Classics S
Edition description:	ALTERNATE
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.45(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Jon Tuska is the author of numerous books on film history and American culture. In 1969–1971 he produced “They Went Thataway,” a series of ten half-hour programs on the American Western cinema. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Preface     

1. The Lurking Peril     
2. The Gambler     
3. The Voice Speaks     
4. The Lightning Warrior     
5. Painted Faces     

[16 pages of plates, 57-72]

6. Shieks in Bedlam     
7. The Lost Jungle     
8. Laughing at Life     
9. Mystery Mountain     

[16 pages of plates, 137-152]

10. Miracles and Music     
11. Tom Mix Rides Again     
12. The End of the Trail     

Appendix I: The Mascot Serials     
Appendix II: The Mascot Features     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

lively and informative...fine collection of stills...recommended”—Choice; “enticing”—Booklist; “a valuable record”—Classic Images; “Jon Tuska has written an insightful, detailed history of Mascot Pictures...for the true fan of movie serials, this book is sure to thrill you right to the very end!”—Suite101.com; “a definitive record...elaborate appendices”—Film & History; “the definitive work on Mascot Pictures”—Cliffhanger; “interesting and informative...well worth reading”—Wrangler’s Roost; “very compelling...important for its history of a generally overlooked part of the filmmaking story...get this book”—Nostalgia Westerns; “the definitive work on Mascot Pictures in paperback. If you are a serial buff or a fan of the B movies of the smaller studios, this book should be in your library”—Under Western Skies; “a fresh perspective”—The Silents Majority On-Line Journal; “earnest, brave, and informative...a healthy antidote for those who have long tired of the wholesale whitewash so often daubed onto western films’ lore...a completely absorbing work.”—American Classic Screen.

From the Publisher

Jon Tuska has written an insightful, detailed history of Mascot Pictures...for the true fan of movie serials, this book is sure to thrill you right to the very end!

Suite101.com

enticing

Booklist

lively and informative...fine collection of stills...recommended

Choice