We went out to dinner with friends a couple weekends ago and had a lovely time. One topic of discussion that came up was the famous western author Zane Grey and how many times his book, Riders of the Purple Sage was made into a movie. I insisted it was five, while one of our companions was certain it was four. Well, I was correct. But the real takeaway from this story is that a classic western book has been into a movie five times. That’s pretty impressive.
The first was in 1918 and starred William Farnum and Mary Mersch. Yes, it was a silent movie.
The second was in 1925 and starred Tom Mix (a very popular cowboy actor who appeared in 291 films) and Mabel Ballin. This was also a silent movie.
The third, the first movie with sound, was in 1931 and starred George O’Brien and Marguerite Churchill.
The fourth was in 1941 and starred George Montgomery (married to Dinah Shore and once engaged to Hedy Lamar) and Mary Howard (a founding member of Recording for the Blind.
The fifth and last was in 1996 and starred Ed Harris and Amy Madigan. This was a TV movie and not a theatrical release.
Other interesting tidbits about this book. In 1952, Dell released a comic book version. It was also adapted into an opera by compose Craig Bohmler — our dinner companion knew and offered up this fact. Three separate western bands have gone by the name Riders of the Purple Sage. Lastly, the author breaks a huge rule by telling the story from an anonymous third-person, omniscient point-of-view.
I’ve watched the 1931, 1941 and 1996 movies, though years ago. I’m thinking now I need to search online and find out if there’s a way I can watch the first two. Would be interesting comparing them to the others.
Cathy McDavid has been penning Westerns for Harlequin since 2005. With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world seven years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
Which is your favorite?
I think the 1941 version, which I saw on TV as a kid 🙂
My husband is going to try to find it to watch. I remember reading the book years and years ago, but I don’t remember much about it.
Fascinating.
My grandma loved Zane Grey books.
I remember one of the UHF channels playing really old Westerns when I was a kid.
TCM plays silent movies after midnight on Sundays, I think (early Monday). You can look to see if they have it in their catalog. AFI and The Academy have catalogs of movies. Some old B&W movies may not have survived if they weren’t preserved. The old film disintegrates over time and many haven’t survived.
I admit, I’ve only ever read one Zane Grey book. They are a great resource for anyone writing western historicals 🙂
I have some old Zane Grey and and Louis L’Amour books my dad gave me. I’ve never read them.
Thank you, Cathy. That is very, very interesting. All of the versions you mentioned sound good, especially the one from 1941. I’ve always liked George Montgomery. I’ve never read any of Zane Grey’s novels, not because I didn’t want to. And Riders of the Purple Sage has always been on my list. The story line sounds like my kind of Western!
I feel like I should read the book now 🙂
Interesting facts! I bet this was fun to research!
It was 🙂
I don’t remember this movie, but I’ve been watching a lot of old westerns on GRIT TV. If they show this one, I’ll definitely watch!
Let me know what you think of it 🙂
That was very interesting facts. I love to watch westerns.
Me, too, Linda 🙂
Wow!! That sure is impressive!! Interesting also!!
It is!
Due to the early material used, those films are probably gone due to their age.
You may be right 🙁
I have seen alot of Zane Grey books, but unfortunately I have not read any of them. They sound like great reads and I bet the movies made of them are good!
Very interesting reads because of when they were written
this is interesting. would be fun to find them all and see the differences over time.
It would be interesting!
Is the book worth reading?
I haven’t read this one. I did read a different Zane Grey book many years ago. It was interesting.
I have read Riders of the Purple Sage but it was so long ago I don’t remember much about it. I have read quite a few Zane Grey books in the past. My grandfather was an avid reader of Zane Grey novels in the 50’s and 60’s. One year for Christmas my sister and I received Zane Grey books from him. I loved them. I have two first edition, well used definitely not mint condition, Zane Grey novels that are set in California and Nevada wild horse country in the early 1900’s. My number one favorite is Desert of Wheat which tells the story of the son of a German immigrant and the trials they faced during WWI era as well as the “Wobblies” a communist type labor organization that destroyed wheat fields in Eastern Washington. Domestic terrorism in today’s terms, as they started fires in the fields when they were ready to harvest.
You are so right about Grey’s good description of the time period he wrote about. Dessert of Wheat fits perfectly with much of the local history available in the many small museums in our area, probably because Grey lived here when he was writing the book shortly after WWI.
You are so fortunately to have two first editions. That is awesome! Now I feel like I have to check out Desert of Wheat.
Interesting fact: Tom Mix and Wyatt Earp became friends. Mix was a pallbearer at Earp’s funeral.
It has been a while since I read any of Zane Grey’s books. We went on vacation in 2001 and headed for New England to visit relatives and head to Canada. We stopped at my favorite junk store and dug around for goodies. There was a closet stuffed with books, some on shelves & some in piles on the floor. I started finding Zane Grey books as I dug deeper. In all I found 44 of his books, brand new, still wrapped in parchment paper. Nothing like filling your car with books the second day of a 2 week vacation. They hold a special place on the bookcase in our “western” bedroom. I have not seen any of the movies you listed. I will have to reread the book and see if any of the movies are available on-line.
That’s an incredible story. I’m so jealous of your treasures!
1941 is the one I like. Fun story.