Gilbert M. Anderson

Directing

Gilbert M. Anderson

Born 1880-03-20 · Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Born in 1880, ‘Broncho Billy’ Anderson is considered the first western film star. He played three film roles in “The Great Train Robbery” and then began to write, direct and act in his own films. After co-founding the Essanay Studios in 1907 with George Kirk Spoor, Anderson appeared in some 300 short films. But it was his 148 western shorts playing cowboy Bronco Billy that made him a star. He retired for the first time in 1916 but made a few comebacks, including producing movies into the 1950s for his company, Progressive Pictures. He received an honorary Oscar in 1958 as a “motion picture pioneer.” Anderson came out of retirement one more time for a cameo in 1965’s “The Bounty Hunter.” He died at age of 90 1971.

Acting credits

His Regeneration poster
4.4

A rough criminal gets a second chance at life thanks to a kindly (and wealthy) lady saloon patron. But he hasn't gone straight yet, as he and a partner attempt to rob the home of a rich homeowner-- whose wife is asleep in the next room.

His Regeneration

1915

The Great Train Robbery poster
7.0

After the train station clerk is assaulted and left bound and gagged, then the departing train and its passengers robbed, a posse goes in hot pursuit of the fleeing bandits.

The Great Train Robbery

1903

The Champion poster
6.5

Walking along with his bulldog, Charlie finds a "good luck" horseshoe just as he passes a training camp advertising for a boxing partner "who can take a beating." After watching others lose, Charlie puts the horseshoe in his glove and wins. The trainer prepares Charlie to fight the world champion. A gambler wants Charlie to throw the fight. He and the trainer's daughter fall in love.

The Champion

1915

The Bounty Killer poster
6.0

Willie Duggans, a tenderfoot from the east, arrives in the wild west and soon experiences its violence. Willie discovers the easy money in bounty killing and must choose between that violent lifestyle and the love of a beautiful saloon singer.

The Bounty Killer

1965

No artwork available
10.0

The girl rejects her sweetheart, telling him that she loves him but prefers a career. She takes up nursing, by which she hopes sometime to become famous. The girl is called to the home of a famous singer, who has broken down. In her delirium the singer calls for the sweetheart of her girlhood. She tells of the disappointment in life despite her fame, and that she longs for a home and the simple things of life, with love.

Her Realization

1915

No artwork available
7.0

The capitalist one evening suddenly realizes that his wife is slowly drifting away from him. A certain young Rodney Hildebrand has been paying her great attention and her affairs are the common gossip at the club. He determines to at least save his wife's name from dishonor.

Her Lesson

1916

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy poster
4.0

When rancher Arthur Mackley welcomes his daughter (Florence Perkes) to his ranch for a visit, all of the cowboys compete for her affections.

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy

1912

Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs poster
10.0

This documentary traces the history of the B-Western from it's silent movie origins to its demise in the early 1950s. The film contains a large number of scenes from early silents and seldom seen films, as well as old photographs of the stars and one-sheet advertisements for lost films.

Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs

2000

Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers poster
NR

Broncho Billy, a prospector, makes a rich strike, but while he is examining the rock he is being watched by three claim jumpers. The minute he leaves the spot the jumpers gather up some samples of the ore, and after replacing Broncho's sign with one of their own, start for the claim agent's office.

Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers

1915

No artwork available
NR

Ned and Jack, two western boys, are both in love with the pretty daughter of their employer, who, liking both, is unsettled as to which of them she will accept. She finally decides upon Jack and not desiring to hurt Ned's feelings, proposes to her father that she and Jack be married secretly.

Forgiven in Death

1911

The Bachelor's Burglar poster
9.0

The girl gets a job on the local newspaper and is sent out to get the story of one of the escapades of a rich bachelor. While she is on her way she determines to break into the house, because she is sure the bachelor will refuse her an interview. She breaks into the house and is blithely gathering the details of her story when the bachelor surprises her and calls the police. Just as the police arrive, the bachelor puts on a housecoat and an old cap. He looks very much like a burglar.

The Bachelor's Burglar

1915

Broncho Billy's Leap poster
NR

John Wilson had driven the stagecoach for years. When his daughter, Marguerite, became old enough, he allowed her to make an occasional trip with him. It was when she was about 19 that she had the terrible experience. Her father and the express messenger bad gone into the general store. Marguerite remained on the coach to watch the horses, four of them. A shooting contest a few feet away frightened the horses and they bolted. On a gallop they dashed down the road. Marguerite screamed for her life.

Broncho Billy's Leap

1914

Tag Day poster
10.0

The custom of young women "tagging" men on the public streets (on a day specially set aside and called "Tag Day") to secure funds for various charitable purposes is the basis for this Comedy short.

Tag Day

1909

Broncho Billy's Promise poster
NR

A pretty western girl rejected a cowpuncher admirer for Bronche Billy. Snake, the rejected suitor, swears revenge and immediately proceeds to the village barroom to load up with ammunition, both for the gun and the stomach.

Broncho Billy's Promise

1912

Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress poster
5.3

"Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress" (1912, 14 minutes) is a comedy-drama about yet another girl from the East who doesn't need to be protected from the local dangers. Broncho Billy plays a passive role, and even takes a bullet when a jealous villain tries to eliminate him from the new teacher's dance card. Filmed in the wilds of Fairfax, California and at Essanay Studios in San Rafael.

Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress

1912

Broncho Billy Reforms poster
10.0

Broncho Billy and his pals plot to rob the general store. Broncho Billy is elected to go into the store and engage the proprietor in conversation while the others enter the rear door and rob the till.

Broncho Billy Reforms

1913

Outwitting Papa poster
8.0

Ethel Walker and Tom Phelps are engaged to marry, but father objects. Later, when the old gentleman finds his daughter writing a note to Tom, promising him to elope, he calls in blacksmiths and has them put bars on the windows and grating in the door.

Outwitting Papa

1911

Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape poster
6.7

While looking for work, Broncho Billy meets a girl and falls in love with her. Broncho is then accused of horse theft by a jealous lover of the girl. At the moment that he is to be hanged, Broncho’s beloved girl comes to his rescue.

Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape

1912

The Western: A Lost TV Special poster
NR

A 1958 TV special celebrating westerns featuring John Wayne, John Ford, Gary Cooper, Gene Autry, Gabby Hayes and more.

The Western: A Lost TV Special

1958

No artwork available
NR

George Maxwell, a young cowboy, rescues a fever-stricken Mexican prospector and carrying him to an inn in the vicinity like a good Samaritan, pays the innkeeper a sum of money to care for the stricken man until he recovers.

The Lucky Card

1911

Broncho Billy's Vengeance poster
NR

Broncho's former wife writes a note to him shortly before her death, asking him to forgive her, also the other man. Broncho is heartbroken at hearing of her death, and his memory takes him back to the days when they were happily married. Then this scoundrel came into her life and finally succeeded in parting them.

Broncho Billy's Vengeance

1915

No artwork available
NR

Young Frank McLain loses his position in the east, and resolves to go west to prospect for gold. Arrangements are made that he leave his wife at home, and send for her later, as soon as he has found a position. Frank's prospecting proves a failure, and he is without funds, when his plight is made more severe by receiving a letter from Alice, his wife.

The Two Reformations

1911

The Film Parade poster
8.0

Pioneer filmmaker J. Stuart Blackton was intrigued by the idea of a film about the history of the movies as early as 1915. He finally released a 52-minute feature called The Film Parade that was shown in New York and favorably reviewed by "Variety" in 1933. He continued tinkering with the film for the rest of the decade, and later filmmakers and distributors used Blackton's footage for stock or to produce their own variously titled and truncated versions. -UCLA Film & Television Archive

The Film Parade

1933

Across the Plains poster
NR

Jennie Lee and her father are on their way to Golden California, from a little Kansas farm, traveling in a prairie schooner. At the last settlement visited by the two, the old man, who has a weakness for drink, purchases several bottles of whiskey, which he begins drinking when they have made camp for the night. A lone cowboy calls upon them and finds the old man in a jovial mood and cautions him to beware of the hostile tribe of Indians, through whose country they are now traveling.

Across the Plains

1911

Behind the camera

His Regeneration poster
4.4

A rough criminal gets a second chance at life thanks to a kindly (and wealthy) lady saloon patron. But he hasn't gone straight yet, as he and a partner attempt to rob the home of a rich homeowner-- whose wife is asleep in the next room.

His Regeneration

1915

His Regeneration poster
4.4

A rough criminal gets a second chance at life thanks to a kindly (and wealthy) lady saloon patron. But he hasn't gone straight yet, as he and a partner attempt to rob the home of a rich homeowner-- whose wife is asleep in the next room.

His Regeneration

1915

His Regeneration poster
4.4

A rough criminal gets a second chance at life thanks to a kindly (and wealthy) lady saloon patron. But he hasn't gone straight yet, as he and a partner attempt to rob the home of a rich homeowner-- whose wife is asleep in the next room.

His Regeneration

1915

No artwork available
10.0

The girl rejects her sweetheart, telling him that she loves him but prefers a career. She takes up nursing, by which she hopes sometime to become famous. The girl is called to the home of a famous singer, who has broken down. In her delirium the singer calls for the sweetheart of her girlhood. She tells of the disappointment in life despite her fame, and that she longs for a home and the simple things of life, with love.

Her Realization

1915

No artwork available
7.0

The capitalist one evening suddenly realizes that his wife is slowly drifting away from him. A certain young Rodney Hildebrand has been paying her great attention and her affairs are the common gossip at the club. He determines to at least save his wife's name from dishonor.

Her Lesson

1916

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy poster
4.0

When rancher Arthur Mackley welcomes his daughter (Florence Perkes) to his ranch for a visit, all of the cowboys compete for her affections.

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy

1912

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy poster
4.0

When rancher Arthur Mackley welcomes his daughter (Florence Perkes) to his ranch for a visit, all of the cowboys compete for her affections.

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy

1912

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy poster
4.0

When rancher Arthur Mackley welcomes his daughter (Florence Perkes) to his ranch for a visit, all of the cowboys compete for her affections.

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy

1912

Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers poster
NR

Broncho Billy, a prospector, makes a rich strike, but while he is examining the rock he is being watched by three claim jumpers. The minute he leaves the spot the jumpers gather up some samples of the ore, and after replacing Broncho's sign with one of their own, start for the claim agent's office.

Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers

1915

Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers poster
NR

Broncho Billy, a prospector, makes a rich strike, but while he is examining the rock he is being watched by three claim jumpers. The minute he leaves the spot the jumpers gather up some samples of the ore, and after replacing Broncho's sign with one of their own, start for the claim agent's office.

Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers

1915

Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers poster
NR

Broncho Billy, a prospector, makes a rich strike, but while he is examining the rock he is being watched by three claim jumpers. The minute he leaves the spot the jumpers gather up some samples of the ore, and after replacing Broncho's sign with one of their own, start for the claim agent's office.

Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers

1915

No artwork available
NR

Ned and Jack, two western boys, are both in love with the pretty daughter of their employer, who, liking both, is unsettled as to which of them she will accept. She finally decides upon Jack and not desiring to hurt Ned's feelings, proposes to her father that she and Jack be married secretly.

Forgiven in Death

1911

No artwork available
NR

Ned and Jack, two western boys, are both in love with the pretty daughter of their employer, who, liking both, is unsettled as to which of them she will accept. She finally decides upon Jack and not desiring to hurt Ned's feelings, proposes to her father that she and Jack be married secretly.

Forgiven in Death

1911

The Bachelor's Burglar poster
9.0

The girl gets a job on the local newspaper and is sent out to get the story of one of the escapades of a rich bachelor. While she is on her way she determines to break into the house, because she is sure the bachelor will refuse her an interview. She breaks into the house and is blithely gathering the details of her story when the bachelor surprises her and calls the police. Just as the police arrive, the bachelor puts on a housecoat and an old cap. He looks very much like a burglar.

The Bachelor's Burglar

1915

Broncho Billy's Leap poster
NR

John Wilson had driven the stagecoach for years. When his daughter, Marguerite, became old enough, he allowed her to make an occasional trip with him. It was when she was about 19 that she had the terrible experience. Her father and the express messenger bad gone into the general store. Marguerite remained on the coach to watch the horses, four of them. A shooting contest a few feet away frightened the horses and they bolted. On a gallop they dashed down the road. Marguerite screamed for her life.

Broncho Billy's Leap

1914

Broncho Billy's Leap poster
NR

John Wilson had driven the stagecoach for years. When his daughter, Marguerite, became old enough, he allowed her to make an occasional trip with him. It was when she was about 19 that she had the terrible experience. Her father and the express messenger bad gone into the general store. Marguerite remained on the coach to watch the horses, four of them. A shooting contest a few feet away frightened the horses and they bolted. On a gallop they dashed down the road. Marguerite screamed for her life.

Broncho Billy's Leap

1914

Broncho Billy's Leap poster
NR

John Wilson had driven the stagecoach for years. When his daughter, Marguerite, became old enough, he allowed her to make an occasional trip with him. It was when she was about 19 that she had the terrible experience. Her father and the express messenger bad gone into the general store. Marguerite remained on the coach to watch the horses, four of them. A shooting contest a few feet away frightened the horses and they bolted. On a gallop they dashed down the road. Marguerite screamed for her life.

Broncho Billy's Leap

1914

Tag Day poster
10.0

The custom of young women "tagging" men on the public streets (on a day specially set aside and called "Tag Day") to secure funds for various charitable purposes is the basis for this Comedy short.

Tag Day

1909

Mud and Sand poster
6.1

Rhubarb Vaselino lives in a small village, when he and his friend, Sapo, enter a bullfighting contest, Sapo dies, but Rhubarb kills three bulls and becomes a local hero earning money. Two years later, he is living in Madrid as a national hero , when he becomes involved with Filet de Sol, and his lover finds out, he must fight the most deadliest in Spain, in the last bull fight of the season.

Mud and Sand

1922

Broncho Billy's Promise poster
NR

A pretty western girl rejected a cowpuncher admirer for Bronche Billy. Snake, the rejected suitor, swears revenge and immediately proceeds to the village barroom to load up with ammunition, both for the gun and the stomach.

Broncho Billy's Promise

1912

Broncho Billy's Promise poster
NR

A pretty western girl rejected a cowpuncher admirer for Bronche Billy. Snake, the rejected suitor, swears revenge and immediately proceeds to the village barroom to load up with ammunition, both for the gun and the stomach.

Broncho Billy's Promise

1912

Broncho Billy's Promise poster
NR

A pretty western girl rejected a cowpuncher admirer for Bronche Billy. Snake, the rejected suitor, swears revenge and immediately proceeds to the village barroom to load up with ammunition, both for the gun and the stomach.

Broncho Billy's Promise

1912

Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress poster
5.3

"Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress" (1912, 14 minutes) is a comedy-drama about yet another girl from the East who doesn't need to be protected from the local dangers. Broncho Billy plays a passive role, and even takes a bullet when a jealous villain tries to eliminate him from the new teacher's dance card. Filmed in the wilds of Fairfax, California and at Essanay Studios in San Rafael.

Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress

1912

Broncho Billy Reforms poster
10.0

Broncho Billy and his pals plot to rob the general store. Broncho Billy is elected to go into the store and engage the proprietor in conversation while the others enter the rear door and rob the till.

Broncho Billy Reforms

1913