The thread on Tombstone v. Wyatt Earp,especially Derek Bouse's observations, bring to mind the various incarnations of the "myth" of the frontier. For those who are interested might I suggest Richard Slotkin's _Gunfighter Nation_, Atheneum, 1992 (if I remember correctly). Very interesting and with a focus on film. I use it in my Influences course when it centers on "The Western." Marvin Smith Dept of Radio-Television Eastern Washington University [log in to unmask]