Jesse James and the MoviesJohnny D. Boggs, author of more than 40 western books and a six-time Western Writers of America Spur Award-winner, will discuss how Jesse James and Northfield have been portrayed in movies over the years at a free event and book signing Thursday, September 4, 6:30 p.m. at the Northfield Historical Society.

Boggs will base the presentation on his book Jesse James and the Movies, which analyzes the 40-plus motion pictures that have been produced about the Missouri outlaw — from the silent era to today. Among the films and actors that will be covered are Jesse James (1939) with Tyrone Power, Kansas Raiders (1950) with Audie Murphy, The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972) with Robert Duvall, and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) with Brad Pitt. Boggs’ discussion will compare each movie with the facts.

In 2007 Boggs published Northfield, which took the unique approach of shifting perspectives from one first-person account to another, allowing participants — both outlaws and Minnesotans — to describe events leading up to and following the 1876 robbery attempt.

Many of Boggs’ titles will be available for purchase at the event.