Lecturer rounds up Texas yarns
by Brian Abrams, Reporter

   He has authored a number of essays and books, including such titles as Cowboys and Cadillacs: How Hollywood Looks at Texas, Texas: A Literary Portrait and No Name on the Bullet: A Biography of Audie Murphy.
   He teaches a course at the University of Texas in Austin and has spoken at numerous events about his scholarly subject.
   Now Dr. Don Graham can add South Campus to the list of venues where he has educated students and faculties alike on Texas cinema.
   Over 50 students and teachers attended Wednesday’s session to hear Graham’s comprehensive retrospective on Texas film history.
   Graham began with the silent era’s themes of cattle driving, oil, Texas Rangers and the battle at the Alamo.
   Graham emphasized Hollywood’s tunnel vision toward Texas’ themes, explaining the studios would suggest the Lone Star state represents only the aforementioned subjects.
    It took years for the state to break through (during the ’70s movements) to create different clichés for Texas in the movies.
   Graham has studied Texas and its pop culture for decades.
   Though he said he has a great respect for all mediums, the speaker admits he has his personal opinions.
   Sometimes, his opinions do not agree with everyone else’s.
   “I’m one of the few people who didn’t like Dances With Wolves. Maybe it was because I watched it on an airplane? I don’t know,” the speaker said.
   After the program, Graham spent some time with his audience one-on-one.
   He also signed copies of his most recent book, The Kings of Texas.
   During a question-answer session, Graham reflected on his hypothetical preference for spending the weekend between the two actresses portraying famous Texas fictional characters: Lonesome Dove’s Lorena (Diane Lane) or The Last Picture    Show’s Jacy (Cybill Shepherd).
   “Tough choice. I’ve visited with the both of them,” Graham said.
   “But Cybill sounds pretty good,” the author said.