From Damsels to Daredevils: How Hollywood Cowgirls Redefined the Western

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Daughters of Daring: Hollywood Cowgirl Stunt Women

In the beginning, women in Western films were relegated to playing mothers, daughters, or love interests to the Wester heroes. They were generally always in need and too frail to help themselves. Off camera women were seen differently by film producers. Because women sat lighter in the saddle than men they were called on to perform stunts on horseback that were difficult for their heavier male costars. Many of the sensational feats such as riding horses into a raging river, riding full gallop down a cliff face, or over a small chasm were performed by cowgirls.

When Max Sennett decided to feature those daring stuntwomen as stars in his pictures, placing them in perilous situations and filming their hair-raising escapes, other movie executives followed suit. Audiences proved their appreciation for the films by swarming the theaters to watch the heroines deal with danger. Some of the female silent stars that dazzled fans in a series of fast-paced Westerns were Olive Fuller Golden, Bessie Barriscale, and Anita Bush.

When the five-reel western drama A Knight of the Range premiered in early 1916, critics praised silent film cowboy and cowgirl actors Harry D. Carey and Olive Fuller Golden performances. Audiences were dazzled by the equestrian tricks never-before seen in motion pictures. “Stunts that are inconceivable of execution are performed before the all-seeing eye of the camera,” a review of the film in a Hollywood magazine read. “Lovers of riding will miss the treat of their lifetime if they fail to see Western stars Carey and Golden work their magic on horseback. Golden is one of the prettiest and most popular of film favorites. Her long golden curls droop over her shoulders and her bewitching smile is as golden as an Arizona sunset; golden also is her disposition. She will be a star as long as motion pictures are being made.”

To learn more about Olive Golden and many other talented stunt women read Daughters of Daring: Hollywood Cowgirl Stunt Women.

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