This is yet another fabulous episode of one of TVs best shows, PBS's "The American Experience". It tells the story of one of American history's most unique characters--a self-styled wild west hero. In other words, he marketed himself as a western star and dressed the part to put across this image. As a result of the image, he was eventually able to parley that into financing to start his own western show--sort of like a stage show, a rodeo and a circus all combined. The show follows Bill Cody from the end of the Civil War (when he was 20) and continued to the end of his life in 1917. In between, we learn about his exploits on the prairie and his very deliberate attempt to market himself and a certain image. How far he was able to take this is truly amazing, as Cody was introduced to the royal families of Europe and was one of the most people on the planet at the time.
Like other episodes of "The American Experience", it is made up of nice narration, interviews and lots of photographs and a few videos. It's exceptionally interesting and complete...and well worth your time.
Like other episodes of "The American Experience", it is made up of nice narration, interviews and lots of photographs and a few videos. It's exceptionally interesting and complete...and well worth your time.
