In the early days of the twentieth century, movies weren't made in California. As America's film pioneers traveled westward, Colorado became a beacon to them, contributing to the early motion picture business with all the relish and gusto of a western saga. The gorgeous natural scenery was perfect for the country's (and the world's) growing infatuation with the West, turning Colorado itself into a bigger star of the early cinema than any particular actor. Using rare photos and contemporary accounts, writer and filmmaker Michael J. Spencer explores the little-known filmmaking industry that flourished in the Rocky Mountains between 1895 and 1915--west of New York but east of Hollywood.
Michael J. Spencer studied film at NYU. He has written and produced a number of award-winning programs for various cable, broadcast and corporate organizations. His subjects cover topics as diverse as martial arts to a Papal mass, from the frontiers of modern medicine to the culture of tourism. Spencer divides his time between Colorado and New York.