Eustace Cockrell was best known as a pioneer television writer who wrote many of the early westerns (Sugarfoot, Maverick and Cheyenne) while under contract with Warner Brothers. Included in this volume is a collection of the author’s unpublished works.
In comparing Eustace Cockrell’s unpublished manuscripts with his published works, it is clear that often the unpublished works are not as polished. This is most noticeable in his conclusions. Some stories seem dangling as if the author planned to return later and complete the piece. Others appear to be chapters in a book. Many of his unpublished manuscripts are shorter than his published works.
The reward for the reader, however, is that the unpublished tales are much more autobiographical, more emotional, and more believable, in part because they have not been shaped by magazine editors to fit the specific needs of their publications. In Cockrell’s early works, his writing can be based on predetermined themes and priorities. His unpublished writings present a break from this mold to reflect a freer, more creative style of writing.
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Eustace Cockrell was a pioneer television writer who contributed to many of the early western shows, including Sugarfoot, Man Without a Gun, and Cheyenne. He also wrote for such high-profile television programs as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, the Loretta Young Show, and Naked City.
Cockrell was a master of the short story prior to his Hollywood career, however. Over a 25-year period beginning in 1932, his works appeared regularly in pulp fiction magazines such as Blue Book and Argosy as well as in "slicks" like Colliers, Saturday Evening Post, and Cosmopolitan.
Now these stories have been collected in a five-volume set edited by Roger Coleman, Cockrell's son-in-law. Coleman, also a writer, is married to Cockrell's daughter, Elizabeth.
These illustrated volumes are organized to reflect various divisions within Cockrell's prolific career.
Coleman has spent much of his life collecting Cockrell’s stories. “Marrying into this family, I was soon surrounded by the respect with which Eustace Cockrell was held, not only as a writer, but as a person. To his family and friends, he was a man of integrity, consistent with the qualities of honesty, fair play and hopefulness found in his many memorable characters. Collecting his works has been a joy. Sharing them in this collection is a long overdue responsibility.”
In addition to editing the two-volume Masterpieces of Eustace Cockrell and the sports stories by Cockrell – Game As They Make 'Em and Refugee Smith and Other Stories of the Ring – Coleman, a retired clergyman, is the author of several children’s books including the Christmas classic, The Pope and the Snowman.
Coleman attended Bethany College majoring in English literature. He holds graduate degrees from Texas Christian University, the University of Missouri, and St. Paul School of Theology. Coleman has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by the Missouri School of Religion for his community involvement.
www.EustaceCockrell.com
www.EustaceCockrell.net
Eustace Cockrell was a pioneer television writer who contributed to many of the early western shows, including Sugarfoot, Man Without a Gun, and Cheyenne. He also wrote for such high-profile television programs as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, the Loretta Young Show, and Naked City. Cockrell was a master of the short story prior to his Hollywood career, however. Over a 25-year period beginning in 1932, his works appeared regularly in pulp fiction magazines such as Blue Book and Argosy as well as in "slicks" like Colliers, Saturday Evening Post, and Cosmopolitan. Now these stories have been collected in a five-volume set edited by Roger Coleman, Cockrell's son-in-law. Coleman, also a writer, is married to Cockrell's daughter, Elizabeth.These illustrated volumes are organized to reflect various divisions within Cockrell's prolific career.
Roger Coleman has spent much of his life collecting the stories of American author Eustace Cockrell. Cockrell was a significant contributor to both "pulp" and "slick" magazines in the 1930s and '40s before moving to Hollywood and becoming a pioneer writer of westerns and other early television shows.Coleman is married to Eustace Cockrell's daughter, Elizabeth. "Marrying into this family, I was immediately surrounded by the vast Cockrell history and the respect with which Eustace was held, not only as a writer, but as a person. To his family and friends, he was a man of integrity who reflected the qualities of honesty, fair play and hopefulness - the same qualities found in his many memorable characters."In addition to editing Refugee Smith and Other Stories of the Ring, Coleman previously edited a two-volume set of Cockrell's short stories, Masterpieces of Eustace Cockrell. Roger and Elizabeth Cockrell, both retired ministers, live in Edenton, NC.
