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Images of Indians Series

The Great Movie Massacre. Explores the beginning of the "savage Indian" myth in popular American literature which was perpetuated in the Wild West shows such as Buffalo Bill's, and on into the scripts written for the early motion pictures. The myth was used to advance the drama of the story without regard to historical fact in many cases. 28 min. How Hollywood Wins the West. Explores the concept of "manifest destiny" or the taking of Indian lands which "nobody owned" by the white man in the early nineteenth century. The film clips used point out the lack of historical facts found in Hollywood films concerning this era have helped perpetuate the concept through generations of viewers. 29 min. Warpaint and Wigs. Shows the sharp contrast between contemporary Native American actors and the policies of Hollywood. Emphasizes the treatment of American Indians in light of the stereotype perpetuated in the media. 29 min. Heathen Injuns and the Hollywood Gospel. Emphasizes the beliefs and culture of American Indians are seldom portrayed accurately in the Hollywood motion picture. 28 min. The Movie Reel Indians. Emphasizes the effect of the movies' image of the American Indian on Indians themselves and American society. 28 min.