CODY – In 1976, John Wayne’s last movie, “The Shootist,” catapulted its screenwriter, Miles Swarthout, into all the best Hollywood circles. It’s hard to say whether being acquainted with the story’s author helped or hindered the project, though. The man who wrote “The Shootist” was none other than Swarthout’s father, Glendon, who also authored a host of other novels-to-movies, such as “Bless the Beasts and the Children,” “Where the Boys Are” and several Westerns.

The younger Swarthout will present clips interspersed with commentary about “The Shootist” at 12:15 p.m. Aug. 26 in the Buffalo Bill Historical Center’s Coe Auditorium. The 90-minute program includes Swarthout’s running commentary as well as a question-and-answer session following the film. After the presentation, he’ll autograph copies of the “The Shootist” as well as DVDs of the movie.

In all, he’s created more than a dozen screenplays – both original works and adaptations of his late father’s novels. These days, Swarthout writes for The Roundup, the official Western Writers of America magazine, produces novels and occasionally freelances articles for a number of other publications – one that earned him a WWA Stirrup Award in 1994.

To stay abreast of all the historical center activities with the events calendar, visit www.bbhc.org/bbhccal/Calendar.cfm.

For general information, visit www.bbhc.org or call 307-587-4771.