William Lawrence Boyd was an American film actor who is known for portraying the cowboy hero Hopalong Cassidy.
Hopalong Cassidy is a fictional cowboy hero created in 1904 by the author Clarence E. Mulford, who wrote a series of short stories and novels based on the character. Mulford portrayed the character as rude, dangerous, and rough-talking. He was shot in the leg during a gun fight which caused him to walk with a little "hop", hence the nickname.
From 1935 to 1948, 66 American Western films were produced featuring the character Hopalong Cassidy, played in all the films by actor William Boyd. The films were at the time collectively known as "Hoppies". In the films, Hopalong, or "Hoppy", and his white horse, Topper, travel through the Old West while dispensing justice, usually with two companions: one young and trouble-prone with a weakness for damsels in distress, the other older, comically awkward and outspoken.
False Colors is a 1943 American Western film directed by George Archainbaud and written by Morton Grant, Michael Wilson and Norman Houston. The film stars William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Jimmy Rogers, Douglass Dumbrille, Tom Seidel, Claudia Drake and Robert Mitchum. The film was released on November 5, 1943, by United Artists.
Riders of the Deadline is a 1943 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Bennett Cohen. The film stars William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Jimmy Rogers, Frances Woodward, Robert Mitchum, Richard Crane, Anthony Warde and William Halligan. The film was released on December 3, 1943, by United Artists.
Texas Masquerade is a 1944 American Western film directed by George Archainbaud, written by Jack Lait Jr. and Norman Houston, and starring William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Jimmy Rogers, Don Costello, Mady Correll and Francis McDonald. It was released on February 8, 1944, by United Artists.
Mystery Man is a 1944 American Western film directed by George Archainbaud and written by J. Benton Cheney. The film stars William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Jimmy Rogers, Don Costello, Eleanor Stewart and Francis McDonald. The film was released on May 31, 1944, by United Artists.
The Devil's Playground is a 1946 American Western film directed by George Archainbaud and written by Ted Wilson. The film stars William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Rand Brooks, Elaine Riley and Robert Elliott. The film was released on November 15, 1946, by United Artists.
Fool's Gold is a 1947 American Western film directed by George Archainbaud and written by Doris Schroeder. The film stars William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Rand Brooks, Robert Emmett Keane and Jane Randolph. The film was released on January 31, 1947, by United Artists. This is the 56th film of the 66 in the series and the first one produced by William Boyd Productions instead of Harry Sherman.
Hoppy's Holiday is a 1947 American Western film directed by George Archainbaud and written by J. Benton Cheney, Bennett Cohen and Ande Lamb. The film stars William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Rand Brooks, Mary Ware, Andrew Tombes and Leonard Penn. The film was released on July 18, 1947, by United Artists.
The Eagle's Brood is a 1935 American Western film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Doris Schroeder and Harrison Jacobs. The film stars William Boyd, James Ellison, William Farnum, George "Gabby" Hayes, Addison Richards, Nana Martinez and Frank Shannon. The film was released on October 25, 1935, by Paramount Pictures.
Bar 20 Rides Again is a 1935 American Western film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Gerald Geraghty and Doris Schroeder. The film stars William Boyd, James Ellison, Jean Rouverol, George "Gabby" Hayes, Harry Worth, Frank McGlynn Jr. and Howard Lang. The film was released on December 6, 1935, by Paramount Pictures.
North of the Rio Grande is a 1937 American Western film directed by Nate Watt and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars William Boyd, George "Gabby" Hayes, Russell Hayden, Morris Ankrum, Bernadene Hayes and Jack Rutherford. The film was released on June 25, 1937, by Paramount Pictures.
Partners of the Plains is a 1938 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Harrison Jacobs. The film stars William Boyd, Russell Hayden, Harvey Clark, Gwen Gaze, Hilda Plowright and John Warburton. The film was released on January 28, 1938, by Paramount Pictures.
Cassidy of Bar 20 is a 1938 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Norman Houston. The film stars William Boyd, Russell Hayden, Frank Darien, Nora Lane, Robert Fiske and John Elliott. The film was released on February 25, 1938, by Paramount Pictures.
Heart of Arizona is a 1938 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Norman Houston. The film stars William Boyd, George "Gabby" Hayes, Russell Hayden, John Elliott, Billy King, Natalie Moorhead and Dorothy Short. The film was released on April 22, 1938, by Paramount Pictures.
Pride of the West is a 1938 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Nate Watt. The film stars William Boyd, George "Gabby" Hayes, Russell Hayden, Earle Hodgins, Charlotte Field and Billy King. The film was released on July 8, 1938, by Paramount Pictures. Pride of the West was the 17th installment in the Hopalong Cassidy series.
Silver on the Sage is a 1939 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Maurice Geraghty. Starring William Boyd, George "Gabby" Hayes, Russell Hayden, Ruth Rogers, Stanley Ridges, Frederick Burton and Jack Rockwell, it was released on March 31, 1939, by Paramount Pictures. Silver on the Sage was Hopalong Cassidy series entry number 25.
Wide Open Town is a 1941 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Harrison Jacobs and J. Benton Cheney. The film stars William Boyd, Russell Hayden, Andy Clyde, Evelyn Brent, Victor Jory, Morris Ankrum and Cara Williams. The film was released on August 8, 1941, by Paramount Pictures.
Harry "Pop" Sherman was an American film producer known for his work in the Western genre during the 1930s and 1940s. He introduced the character Hopalong Cassidy to the silver screen, and is the father of screenwriter Teddi Sherman.
