American literature the Moon: With Some Account of the Manners and Customs, Science and Philosophy, of the People of Morosofia, and Other Lunarians." After the War of 1812, there was an increasing desire to produce a uniquely American literature and culture, and a number of literary figures emerged, among them Washington Irving, William Cullen Bryant, and James Fenimore Cooper. Irving wrote humorous works in "Salmagundi" and the satire "A History of New York, by Diedrich Knickerbocker" (1809). Bryant wrote early romantic and nature-inspired poetry, which evolved away from their European origins. Cooper's "Leatherstocking Tales" about Natty Bumppo (which includes "The Last of
Grim Prairie Tales Simcox appeared in "Grim Prairie Tales" as the wealthy rancher Horn. In an acting career from 1962-1991, he appeared in eight "Gunsmoke" episodes and in other television westerns. Stephen Holden from "New York Times" wrote, ""Grim Prairie Tales" aspires to be a sort of western "Twilight Zone," but the stories it tells are so flat and lacking in tension and atmosphere that the movie generates no tingles." Hal Hinson from "Washington Post" offered the film similar criticism, stating that the film wasn't particularly scary. Grim Prairie Tales Grim Prairie Tales is a 1990 American independent western-horror film, written and directed