Please join us at the Film and History Conference on "The American West in Film, TV, and History" in Kansas City from November 7-10, 2002. I am compiling panels on one of our great American Directors: John Ford. We hope to create several exciting panels on Ford's imprint on the American West. We have received several exciting paper proposals from around the world. Here are a few suggested panels:

1. John Ford and John Wayne: Masculinity in the American Western. (Already have several proposals on this exciting subject).
2. From The Ringo Kid to Buck T. Langhorne: Ford's evolving view of democracy.
3. The Searchers: Racist or progressive?
4. Ford's imprint: How has other directors drawn on Ford to create some of America's most memorable films? Examples: Stagecoach and Citizen Kane, or the Searchers and Taxi Driver.
5. Ford's view of history in the Cavalry Trilogy. The strengths and weaknesses of Ford's retelling of Western history in these classic films.
6. John Ford and Race. How did he reflect and respond to American racial issues?

These topics are only suggestions, so feel free to suggest your own. We are drawing ever near the deadline for proposals (15 August 2002). Early proposals always get the most compatible panels, so do not wait until the 11th hour!

For further information, contact Brad F. Raley. Other topics for the conference, as well as a wealth of information about the event,registration, the hotel, the site, tours, and more information can be found at the Film & History web site.