Paul Colt's Blog, page 2
June 29, 2025
The Sons of the Pioneers
Continuing down the Joseph Kane filmography I tried to change the Gene Autry pace with a little Roy Rogers. That slice of Kane’s work begins in 1938, producing seven films with not enough legacy to produce a post until we get to 1942 and The Sons of the Pioneers. Make it eight films with no post, but we did come upon a cowboy singing group by the same name.
The Sons of the Pioneers got its start in 1934 when truck driver, fruit picker, guitarist, singing cowboy Leonard Slye teamed up with yodeler, songwriter, base fiddle player, vocalist Bob Nolan, vocalist Tim Spencer, and fiddler, base vocalist Hugh Farr. L.A. radio syndicated segments soon spread popularity and fame across the country. The boys scored a contract with Decca Records, recording 32 songs the first of which the classic “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.”
The Sons of the Pioneers caught the singing cowboy film wave in 1935 leading them to appear in 87 western films all the way up to 1984. In 1937 Republic Pictures – remember them – offered Leonard Slye an acting contract, provided he leave the group. Slye took it, changing his name to Roy Rogers. In 1941 with contract obligations behind them, The Sons joined Rogers at Republic now known as “Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers.”
The Sons of the Pioneers continue to perform as a group to this very day. They have performed continuously since 1934 though with numerous changes in membership giving them longevity and a lengthy list of alumni.
Oh, and the Kane film The Sons of the Pioneers? Released July 2, 1942, starring Roy Rogers and George “Gabby” Hayes with Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers as cowboys and musicians. Now you know … all there is to that story.
Back to Gene next week. None of Kane’s thirteen Roy Rogers films make a post! Trigger came in for star billing. Makes you wonder how Roy became King of the Cowboys. Nice shirts though.
Next Week: Ride Ranger Ride
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Ride easy,
Paul
The Sons of the Pioneers got its start in 1934 when truck driver, fruit picker, guitarist, singing cowboy Leonard Slye teamed up with yodeler, songwriter, base fiddle player, vocalist Bob Nolan, vocalist Tim Spencer, and fiddler, base vocalist Hugh Farr. L.A. radio syndicated segments soon spread popularity and fame across the country. The boys scored a contract with Decca Records, recording 32 songs the first of which the classic “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.”
The Sons of the Pioneers caught the singing cowboy film wave in 1935 leading them to appear in 87 western films all the way up to 1984. In 1937 Republic Pictures – remember them – offered Leonard Slye an acting contract, provided he leave the group. Slye took it, changing his name to Roy Rogers. In 1941 with contract obligations behind them, The Sons joined Rogers at Republic now known as “Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers.”
The Sons of the Pioneers continue to perform as a group to this very day. They have performed continuously since 1934 though with numerous changes in membership giving them longevity and a lengthy list of alumni.
Oh, and the Kane film The Sons of the Pioneers? Released July 2, 1942, starring Roy Rogers and George “Gabby” Hayes with Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers as cowboys and musicians. Now you know … all there is to that story.
Back to Gene next week. None of Kane’s thirteen Roy Rogers films make a post! Trigger came in for star billing. Makes you wonder how Roy became King of the Cowboys. Nice shirts though.
Next Week: Ride Ranger Ride
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
June 22, 2025
Yakima Canutt
Yakima Canutt has shown up as stunt man for a number of these Joseph Cane films. Just for grins I checked him out. Turned into a ‘who knew’ side trip to this series. Enos Edward “Yakima” Canutt was a professional rodeo cowboy, competing in saddle bronc riding and bull dogging at premier events starting around 1914. He came by the Yakima handle when a newspaper misidentified him at the Pendleton Round-Up. His rodeo career included appearances at such notable events as the Calgary Stampede, Cheyenne Frontier Days, and the Fort Worth Rodeo. While wintering in Hollywood following Calgary in 1919, he made the acquaintance of Tom Mix and a turn in the trail of his career.
Canutt’s introduction to western film started as an actor, a path that evolved into stunt work by the 1930’s.
Canutt brought creativity to the business of action stunts, developing tools and techniques useful in filming western action. Techniques like horse falls and wagon wrecks rigged to drop precisely in front of the camera. Tools like the ‘L’ stirrup to release a rider’s boot when falling off a horse. Director’s script notes for stunt scenes often read ‘see Yakima’. He modified team harness rigs to make stunts like jumping off a stagecoach to stop a runaway team – safer. It was that very stunt, doubling for John Wayne in John Ford’s 1939 classic Stagecoach, that charged his career and Wayne’s.
Yakima and Wayne hit it off. Wayne marveled at Yakima’s skills with a desire to do his own stunts. Yakima became his mentor. He taught Wayne how to fall off a horse – on purpose. Together the pair developed techniques to make fight scenes appear realistic, techniques still in use today. Stunts however, were only the beginning of the partnership.
John Wayne’s on screen character became iconic. The way he walked, like he just stepped down from a long ride. The way he talked with that lazy drawl. All of it was mimicked Yakima Canutt. Wayne himself said, “I spent weeks studying the way Yakima Canutt walked and talked. He was a real cowhand.” That was the ‘who knew’ revelation to this little side trip. If it weren’t for Yakima Canutt, we might never have had Rooster Cogburn. Western film might never have been the same. Now you know … “The rest of the story.”
Next Week: Sons of the Pioneers
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Ride easy,
Paul
Canutt’s introduction to western film started as an actor, a path that evolved into stunt work by the 1930’s.
Canutt brought creativity to the business of action stunts, developing tools and techniques useful in filming western action. Techniques like horse falls and wagon wrecks rigged to drop precisely in front of the camera. Tools like the ‘L’ stirrup to release a rider’s boot when falling off a horse. Director’s script notes for stunt scenes often read ‘see Yakima’. He modified team harness rigs to make stunts like jumping off a stagecoach to stop a runaway team – safer. It was that very stunt, doubling for John Wayne in John Ford’s 1939 classic Stagecoach, that charged his career and Wayne’s.
Yakima and Wayne hit it off. Wayne marveled at Yakima’s skills with a desire to do his own stunts. Yakima became his mentor. He taught Wayne how to fall off a horse – on purpose. Together the pair developed techniques to make fight scenes appear realistic, techniques still in use today. Stunts however, were only the beginning of the partnership.
John Wayne’s on screen character became iconic. The way he walked, like he just stepped down from a long ride. The way he talked with that lazy drawl. All of it was mimicked Yakima Canutt. Wayne himself said, “I spent weeks studying the way Yakima Canutt walked and talked. He was a real cowhand.” That was the ‘who knew’ revelation to this little side trip. If it weren’t for Yakima Canutt, we might never have had Rooster Cogburn. Western film might never have been the same. Now you know … “The rest of the story.”
Next Week: Sons of the Pioneers
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Ride easy,
Paul
June 15, 2025
Oh Susanna!
Singing Cowboy? How about musical western? Musical western is what you get when you pack fourteen songs into a fifty-four minute film, seven of them by Stephen Foster including the title track Oh Susanna!
In Oh Susanna! Singing cowboy Gene Autry (Gene Autry) – hang on to that ‘cause this film is all about who-be-you and you-be-who – is traveling by train to see an old friend, Jefferson Lee he hasn’t seen for fifteen years. An old friend who owes Gene $10,000. Did I mention an old friend with a beautiful niece? That would be Mary Ann Lee (Frances Grant). Gene bumps into Wolf Benson on the train. Benson, a killer by trade, looks enough like Gene to bump him off the train and assume his identity on the way to collect the money.
Not quite dead, Gene is rescued by traveling musician Frog Milhouse (Smiley Burnette) and Professor Ezekial Daniels. Taken to Sage City, where the sheriff mistakes Gene for Wolf and arrests him. Gene claims to be Gene to no one’s belief until a jury hears him sing to his own record in court. Gotta fit all those songs in one way or another.
Meanwhile Wolf, now Gene shows up at the Lee ranch demanding payment for all he his owed. Lee smells imposter Gene (Wolf), refuses to pay, and gets shot for his trouble. On the way to Lee’s ranch Gene comes across a wanted poster for the murder of Jefferson Lee, the wanted murderer none other than Gene himself. He runs into Mary Ann on the trail in company of Wolf accomplice Flash Baldwin. Gene’s suspicion is aroused by Baldwin dressed in one of his (Gene’s) suits. Gene passes himself off as singing cowboy Tex Smith with an offer to ‘fill in’ for Gene’s cancelled performance.
Gene (now Tex) uncovers Wolf and Baldwin’s plan to rob the ranch safe. His attempt to foil the plan is broken up with the Sheriff of Mineral Springs arrives to arrest Gene for Lee’s murder. Wolf make a run for it. Mary Ann clears Gene. Gene catches Wolf in time for happily ever after who-be-you with Mary Ann.
Research for this one led to stunt double Yakima Canutt and a fascinating series side trip.
Next Week: Yakima Canutt
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
In Oh Susanna! Singing cowboy Gene Autry (Gene Autry) – hang on to that ‘cause this film is all about who-be-you and you-be-who – is traveling by train to see an old friend, Jefferson Lee he hasn’t seen for fifteen years. An old friend who owes Gene $10,000. Did I mention an old friend with a beautiful niece? That would be Mary Ann Lee (Frances Grant). Gene bumps into Wolf Benson on the train. Benson, a killer by trade, looks enough like Gene to bump him off the train and assume his identity on the way to collect the money.
Not quite dead, Gene is rescued by traveling musician Frog Milhouse (Smiley Burnette) and Professor Ezekial Daniels. Taken to Sage City, where the sheriff mistakes Gene for Wolf and arrests him. Gene claims to be Gene to no one’s belief until a jury hears him sing to his own record in court. Gotta fit all those songs in one way or another.
Meanwhile Wolf, now Gene shows up at the Lee ranch demanding payment for all he his owed. Lee smells imposter Gene (Wolf), refuses to pay, and gets shot for his trouble. On the way to Lee’s ranch Gene comes across a wanted poster for the murder of Jefferson Lee, the wanted murderer none other than Gene himself. He runs into Mary Ann on the trail in company of Wolf accomplice Flash Baldwin. Gene’s suspicion is aroused by Baldwin dressed in one of his (Gene’s) suits. Gene passes himself off as singing cowboy Tex Smith with an offer to ‘fill in’ for Gene’s cancelled performance.
Gene (now Tex) uncovers Wolf and Baldwin’s plan to rob the ranch safe. His attempt to foil the plan is broken up with the Sheriff of Mineral Springs arrives to arrest Gene for Lee’s murder. Wolf make a run for it. Mary Ann clears Gene. Gene catches Wolf in time for happily ever after who-be-you with Mary Ann.
Research for this one led to stunt double Yakima Canutt and a fascinating series side trip.
Next Week: Yakima Canutt
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
Oh Susanna!
Singing Cowboy? How about musical western? Musical western is what you get when you pack fourteen songs into a fifty-four minute film, seven of them by Stephen Foster including the title track Oh Susanna!
In Oh Susanna! Singing cowboy Gene Autry (Gene Autry) – hang on to that ‘cause this film is all about who-be-you and you-be-who – is traveling by train to see an old friend, Jefferson Lee he hasn’t seen for fifteen years. An old friend who owes Gene $10,000. Did I mention an old friend with a beautiful niece? That would be Mary Ann Lee (Frances Grant). Gene bumps into Wolf Benson on the train. Benson, a killer by trade, looks enough like Gene to bump him off the train and assume his identity on the way to collect the money.
Not quite dead, Gene is rescued by traveling musician Frog Milhouse (Smiley Burnette) and Professor Ezekial Daniels. Taken to Sage City, where the sheriff mistakes Gene for Wolf and arrests him. Gene claims to be Gene to no one’s belief until a jury hears him sing to his own record in court. Gotta fit all those songs in one way or another.
Meanwhile Wolf, now Gene shows up at the Lee ranch demanding payment for all he his owed. Lee smells imposter Gene (Wolf), refuses to pay, and gets shot for his trouble. On the way to Lee’s ranch Gene comes across a wanted poster for the murder of Jefferson Lee, the wanted murderer none other than Gene himself. He runs into Mary Ann on the trail in company of Wolf accomplice Flash Baldwin. Gene’s suspicion is aroused by Baldwin dressed in one of his (Gene’s) suits. Gene passes himself off as singing cowboy Tex Smith with an offer to ‘fill in’ for Gene’s cancelled performance.
Gene (now Tex) uncovers Wolf and Baldwin’s plan to rob the ranch safe. His attempt to foil the plan is broken up with the Sheriff of Mineral Springs arrives to arrest Gene for Lee’s murder. Wolf make a run for it. Mary Ann clears Gene. Gene catches Wolf in time for happily ever after who-be-you with Mary Ann.
Research for this one led to stunt double Yakima Canutt and a fascinating series side trip.
Next Week: Yakima Canutt
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
In Oh Susanna! Singing cowboy Gene Autry (Gene Autry) – hang on to that ‘cause this film is all about who-be-you and you-be-who – is traveling by train to see an old friend, Jefferson Lee he hasn’t seen for fifteen years. An old friend who owes Gene $10,000. Did I mention an old friend with a beautiful niece? That would be Mary Ann Lee (Frances Grant). Gene bumps into Wolf Benson on the train. Benson, a killer by trade, looks enough like Gene to bump him off the train and assume his identity on the way to collect the money.
Not quite dead, Gene is rescued by traveling musician Frog Milhouse (Smiley Burnette) and Professor Ezekial Daniels. Taken to Sage City, where the sheriff mistakes Gene for Wolf and arrests him. Gene claims to be Gene to no one’s belief until a jury hears him sing to his own record in court. Gotta fit all those songs in one way or another.
Meanwhile Wolf, now Gene shows up at the Lee ranch demanding payment for all he his owed. Lee smells imposter Gene (Wolf), refuses to pay, and gets shot for his trouble. On the way to Lee’s ranch Gene comes across a wanted poster for the murder of Jefferson Lee, the wanted murderer none other than Gene himself. He runs into Mary Ann on the trail in company of Wolf accomplice Flash Baldwin. Gene’s suspicion is aroused by Baldwin dressed in one of his (Gene’s) suits. Gene passes himself off as singing cowboy Tex Smith with an offer to ‘fill in’ for Gene’s cancelled performance.
Gene (now Tex) uncovers Wolf and Baldwin’s plan to rob the ranch safe. His attempt to foil the plan is broken up with the Sheriff of Mineral Springs arrives to arrest Gene for Lee’s murder. Wolf make a run for it. Mary Ann clears Gene. Gene catches Wolf in time for happily ever after who-be-you with Mary Ann.
Research for this one led to stunt double Yakima Canutt and a fascinating series side trip.
Next Week: Yakima Canutt
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
June 8, 2025
Guns and Guitars
While we’re just getting started on Joseph Kane’s filmography, I see a pattern I’d either forgotten or more likely never noticed before. Here comes Gene Autry in Guns and Guitars, singing along with Smiley Burnette kickin’ beside – as part of a traveling medicine show. Makes sense. Gave the singing cowboy reason to sing. This one seems like it had a little historical inspiration to go with it.
After the civil war our nation was in economic recession, particularly parts of the country associated with the confederate cause. Dirt poor Texans found a market in the northeast for the one thing they had plenty of, cattle. Cattle worth $5 a head in Texas brought $50 a head at railheads like Abilene Kansas. The northeast market was strong; you just had to get the cattle there. Cattle drives became the answer, though Texas herds carrying something called Texas Fever weren’t welcome in places like Missouri. Sick cattle became trail trouble. Trouble enough to inspire Guns and Guitars.
Guns and Guitars brings sick cow trouble down to neighboring Texas counties. Bad guy sick cow drivers from Sage County, Morhan and Connor push a herd owned by a man named Morgan across the line into Colima County. Sheriff’s daughter Marjorie Miller (Dorthy Day) stops the drive with a rifle. When Morhan and Connor try to kidnap the girl, along comes Professor Parker’s medicine show with Gene Autry to the rescue.
Determined to clear out Colima County opposition, Morhan and Connor ambush Sheriff Miller and his deputy, killing the deputy and wounding the sheriff. Gene and Smiley hide the sheriff while they search for the killers. Gene ends up accused of killing the sheriff. Townsfolk elect him sheriff instead. Morgan and his men try to drive their herd through Colima County. Gene raises a posse to stop them, while tricking Morhan and Conner to lead them to the ambush site and the murder scene, confirming their guilt.
With the bad guys rounded up and safely locked away, Professor Parker’s traveling medicine show rolls musically along their way.
Next Week: Oh, Susanna!
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
After the civil war our nation was in economic recession, particularly parts of the country associated with the confederate cause. Dirt poor Texans found a market in the northeast for the one thing they had plenty of, cattle. Cattle worth $5 a head in Texas brought $50 a head at railheads like Abilene Kansas. The northeast market was strong; you just had to get the cattle there. Cattle drives became the answer, though Texas herds carrying something called Texas Fever weren’t welcome in places like Missouri. Sick cattle became trail trouble. Trouble enough to inspire Guns and Guitars.
Guns and Guitars brings sick cow trouble down to neighboring Texas counties. Bad guy sick cow drivers from Sage County, Morhan and Connor push a herd owned by a man named Morgan across the line into Colima County. Sheriff’s daughter Marjorie Miller (Dorthy Day) stops the drive with a rifle. When Morhan and Connor try to kidnap the girl, along comes Professor Parker’s medicine show with Gene Autry to the rescue.
Determined to clear out Colima County opposition, Morhan and Connor ambush Sheriff Miller and his deputy, killing the deputy and wounding the sheriff. Gene and Smiley hide the sheriff while they search for the killers. Gene ends up accused of killing the sheriff. Townsfolk elect him sheriff instead. Morgan and his men try to drive their herd through Colima County. Gene raises a posse to stop them, while tricking Morhan and Conner to lead them to the ambush site and the murder scene, confirming their guilt.
With the bad guys rounded up and safely locked away, Professor Parker’s traveling medicine show rolls musically along their way.
Next Week: Oh, Susanna!
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Ride easy,
Paul
June 2, 2025
The Lawless Nineties
We continue Joseph Kane’s filmography with John Wayne before Duke hooked up with that Ford fella. Wayne made five films with Kane, four of them westerns, three in 1936. They are part of the career chapter Wayne referred to as “Horse Operas”. By Duke’s reckoning he made eighty Poverty Row Westerns for Monogram Pictures between 1930 and ’39. Wayne played the lead in most of these films though B western features fell short of marquis stardom. John Ford’s 1939 film Stagecoach changed the trajectory of Wayne’s career. Still for many of us who grew up on westerns, those early John Wayne ‘Oaters’ like these three directed by Kane, hold a special place in our memories.
In The Lawless Nineties Wayne plays undercover federal agent John Tipton dispatched to secure Wyoming’s Territorial vote for statehood from interference by outlaw elements opposed to the prospect of law and order. Newspaper publisher Major Carter (George Hayes), a proponent of statehood, runs afoul of outlaw interests, secretly directed by local businessman Charles Plumber. Plumber and his gang stay one step ahead of the law by tapping the telegraph line Tipton relies on. When Carter is murdered the newspaper and cause of statehood pass to Carter’s daughter Janet (Ann Rutherford). Plumber and his men go to the polls to disrupt the election. They are met by Tipton and a large party of Wyoming ranchers. Statehood carries the day . . . as it should.
In King of the Pecos, the second of Wayne’s Kane films, Wayne plays a lawyer whose parents were murdered when they refused to give up their land over a water rights dispute. The grown lawyer son returns to represent ranchers in the area who are victimized in a water right swindle. To no surprise the law comes in for need of a gun. The third film, The Lonely Trail, must be aptly titled for the scant information available on the film. Texas civil war veteran brings down lawless carpetbaggers abusing their authority.
This is also the period when many of us remember John Wayne’s lead role as Stoney Brooke in the popular Three Mesquiteers series. Wayne appears as Stoney in eight of fifty one films with Alexandre Dumas’ tongue firmly planted in cheek.
Next Week: Guns and Guitars
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Ride easy,
Paul
In The Lawless Nineties Wayne plays undercover federal agent John Tipton dispatched to secure Wyoming’s Territorial vote for statehood from interference by outlaw elements opposed to the prospect of law and order. Newspaper publisher Major Carter (George Hayes), a proponent of statehood, runs afoul of outlaw interests, secretly directed by local businessman Charles Plumber. Plumber and his gang stay one step ahead of the law by tapping the telegraph line Tipton relies on. When Carter is murdered the newspaper and cause of statehood pass to Carter’s daughter Janet (Ann Rutherford). Plumber and his men go to the polls to disrupt the election. They are met by Tipton and a large party of Wyoming ranchers. Statehood carries the day . . . as it should.
In King of the Pecos, the second of Wayne’s Kane films, Wayne plays a lawyer whose parents were murdered when they refused to give up their land over a water rights dispute. The grown lawyer son returns to represent ranchers in the area who are victimized in a water right swindle. To no surprise the law comes in for need of a gun. The third film, The Lonely Trail, must be aptly titled for the scant information available on the film. Texas civil war veteran brings down lawless carpetbaggers abusing their authority.
This is also the period when many of us remember John Wayne’s lead role as Stoney Brooke in the popular Three Mesquiteers series. Wayne appears as Stoney in eight of fifty one films with Alexandre Dumas’ tongue firmly planted in cheek.
Next Week: Guns and Guitars
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 25, 2025
Melody Trail
Radio singing cowboy Gene Autry (as himself) and comic sidekick Frog Millhouse (Smiley Burnette) attend a rodeo and not just any rodeo. This one was filmed at the Pendleton Roundup, Pendleton Oregon, a rodeo that has become one of PRCA’s premier events. Gene and Frog are there to entertain. What happens when Gene strums up a song? Rancher’s daughter Millicent Thomas (Ann Rutherford) heart thrums up a flutter. Milli is being pestered by her father’s ranch hand Matt Kirby. Gene makes for a triangle a problem.
Gene (stunt double Ken Cooper) bests Matt in the saddle bronc event to take home the $1,000 prize. Gypsy Frantz steals Gene’s prize money. In serendipitous turnabout, Milli’s dog, Souvenir visits the Gypsy camp, making off with a wicker basket containing Frantz and wife Perdita’s infant daughter.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, Souvenir shows up with the baby. Milli takes her in. Gene and Frog hire on as cooks – what else does a singing cowboy do after losing his rodeo winnings? They assume the baby is Milli’s. Matt and the rest of the hands quit, plotting to rustle the ranch herd. This necessitates hiring cowgirls to wrangle cattle while providing musical and romantic accompaniment, not necessarily in that order.
The girls take a break from watching the herd for a dip in a nearby pond. Their watch is broken when Matt steals their clothes and the herd. Gene’s cooking goes ptomain bad, when Souvenir steals the cookbook. Frantz shows up at the ranch searching for the baby. Milli gives her up. Gene pursues Frantz thinking he is a kidnapper only to recover his prize money in the misunderstanding. Next, he single handedly rounds up Matt and his gang recovering the herd. With the ranch saved, Gene marries Milli, Frog doubles up wedding cowgirl Cuddles to a musical rendition of happily ever after.
Melody trail was the first of four happily ever after’s Ann Rutherford would play to Gene’s lead. The film was shot in six days to the title tune On the Melody Trail accompanied by songs you might remember, Hold on Little Dogies Hold On and Western Lullaby.
Next Week: The Lawless Nineties
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Ride easy,
Paul
Gene (stunt double Ken Cooper) bests Matt in the saddle bronc event to take home the $1,000 prize. Gypsy Frantz steals Gene’s prize money. In serendipitous turnabout, Milli’s dog, Souvenir visits the Gypsy camp, making off with a wicker basket containing Frantz and wife Perdita’s infant daughter.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, Souvenir shows up with the baby. Milli takes her in. Gene and Frog hire on as cooks – what else does a singing cowboy do after losing his rodeo winnings? They assume the baby is Milli’s. Matt and the rest of the hands quit, plotting to rustle the ranch herd. This necessitates hiring cowgirls to wrangle cattle while providing musical and romantic accompaniment, not necessarily in that order.
The girls take a break from watching the herd for a dip in a nearby pond. Their watch is broken when Matt steals their clothes and the herd. Gene’s cooking goes ptomain bad, when Souvenir steals the cookbook. Frantz shows up at the ranch searching for the baby. Milli gives her up. Gene pursues Frantz thinking he is a kidnapper only to recover his prize money in the misunderstanding. Next, he single handedly rounds up Matt and his gang recovering the herd. With the ranch saved, Gene marries Milli, Frog doubles up wedding cowgirl Cuddles to a musical rendition of happily ever after.
Melody trail was the first of four happily ever after’s Ann Rutherford would play to Gene’s lead. The film was shot in six days to the title tune On the Melody Trail accompanied by songs you might remember, Hold on Little Dogies Hold On and Western Lullaby.
Next Week: The Lawless Nineties
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 18, 2025
Tumbling Tumbleweeds
We return to the Joseph Kane filmography with Gene Autry’s first installment to that body of work. Done for Republic Pictures and filmed at Monogram Ranch, it marks the beginning of a long and prolific partnership.
Singing cowboy Gene Autry (Gene Autry) returns home after a long absence in company of Dr. Parker’s Painless Panacea traveling medicine show with Dr. Parker played by George “Gabby” Hayes. Gene is accompanied by Smiley Burnett and the medicine show troupe. He learns his rancher father has been murdered over a water rights dispute. Gene’s old friend, Harry Brooks, is accused of the murder. Harry of course is innocent but is being pursued by a crooked deputy sheriff in the pocket of gang leader Barney Craven. Harry needs to be silenced. Gene clears Harry bringing Craven and his gang to justice while falling in love with Harry’s wife’s sister Jerry (Lucile Browne). Gene and Jerry wed, rolling toward happily ever after from the back of the good doctor’s show wagon. No sign of Painless Panacea tippling.
Recognized tenuously as first of the singing cowboy films, music set the tone for the film. Five of the seven songs featured in the film were written and performed by various collaborations between Gene and Smiley. All that song writing and singing likely accounts for the fact Gene had help with the film. He did his own fight scenes but, difficult as it is for this fan to swallow, stunt double Ken Cooper did his hard riding scenes. Champion appears as Gene’s horse uncredited. Champion’s billing was about to change.
The musical story became Bob Nolan’s classic song Tumbling Tumbleweeds. Answer to the question, which came first? Nolan wrote the song for the Sons of the Pioneers, who recorded it in 1934, one year before Gene recorded it for the 1935 film, released by Decca Records (remember them?). Tumbling Tumbleweeds became a cowboy classic with later versions recorded by Bing Crosby, Kate Smith, and so many more.
Next Week: Melody Trail
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
Singing cowboy Gene Autry (Gene Autry) returns home after a long absence in company of Dr. Parker’s Painless Panacea traveling medicine show with Dr. Parker played by George “Gabby” Hayes. Gene is accompanied by Smiley Burnett and the medicine show troupe. He learns his rancher father has been murdered over a water rights dispute. Gene’s old friend, Harry Brooks, is accused of the murder. Harry of course is innocent but is being pursued by a crooked deputy sheriff in the pocket of gang leader Barney Craven. Harry needs to be silenced. Gene clears Harry bringing Craven and his gang to justice while falling in love with Harry’s wife’s sister Jerry (Lucile Browne). Gene and Jerry wed, rolling toward happily ever after from the back of the good doctor’s show wagon. No sign of Painless Panacea tippling.
Recognized tenuously as first of the singing cowboy films, music set the tone for the film. Five of the seven songs featured in the film were written and performed by various collaborations between Gene and Smiley. All that song writing and singing likely accounts for the fact Gene had help with the film. He did his own fight scenes but, difficult as it is for this fan to swallow, stunt double Ken Cooper did his hard riding scenes. Champion appears as Gene’s horse uncredited. Champion’s billing was about to change.
The musical story became Bob Nolan’s classic song Tumbling Tumbleweeds. Answer to the question, which came first? Nolan wrote the song for the Sons of the Pioneers, who recorded it in 1934, one year before Gene recorded it for the 1935 film, released by Decca Records (remember them?). Tumbling Tumbleweeds became a cowboy classic with later versions recorded by Bing Crosby, Kate Smith, and so many more.
Next Week: Melody Trail
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 11, 2025
In Old Santa Fe
We started down the Joseph Kane Gene Autry trail In Old Santa Fe. The film starred Ken Meynard and George “Gabby” Hayes. Gene rode along by way of an uncredited appearance singing a bluegrass arrangement of “Wyoming Waltz” accompanied by Smiley Burnette on the accordion. The appearance amounted to a screen test for Autry’s first starring role. This is where the research took us on an unexpected, though thoroughly entertaining side trip beside Kane’s filmography. We’ll get back to Kane presently, but first we get Gene Autry in The Phantom Empire.
Phantom Empire? Phantom Empire. A twelve “chapter” serial released by Mascot Pictures. There’s a trip down memory lane for those of us old enough to remember. Youngsters will simply have to indulge us nostalgia. Serials were films shown in weekly episodes, catering to kids on Saturdays in the days before TV was widely available. Paired with a feature film, each 20 minute serial chapter ended in some precarious what happens next moment designed to bring kids back next Saturday. How about a green river soda and a box of Milk Duds?
In Phantom Empire, Gene plays a singing cowboy host of Radio Ranch, a daily program featuring trick riding, shooting, and songs of the old west. Gene and his pards along with bad-guy scientists in search of uranium (atomic age preview in 1935), discover entry to the vast underground alien city of Murania ruled by evil Queen Tika. Queenie and her minions possess all manner of fanciful futuristic unknown scientific gadgetry. In Phantom Empire we are treated to sci-fi western for any compelled to combine western and sci-fi. Likely why some say sci-fi is nothing more than a western with rockets and ray guns. To no one’s surprise Gene triumphs over the evil queen and her baddies. The End.
For so humble a beginning The Phantom Empire certainly left a lofty legacy. It introduced us to Gene Autry. According to sources, it was a box office success, born on the back of popcorn, soda pop, and forget-me-not Milk Duds. Then there is the sci-fi western sub-genre that survives to this very day, though truthfully, I like my sci-fi-sci-fi and my westerns western. Don’t mix peas and potatoes either.
Next Week: Tumbling Tumbleweeds
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Ride easy,
Paul
Phantom Empire? Phantom Empire. A twelve “chapter” serial released by Mascot Pictures. There’s a trip down memory lane for those of us old enough to remember. Youngsters will simply have to indulge us nostalgia. Serials were films shown in weekly episodes, catering to kids on Saturdays in the days before TV was widely available. Paired with a feature film, each 20 minute serial chapter ended in some precarious what happens next moment designed to bring kids back next Saturday. How about a green river soda and a box of Milk Duds?
In Phantom Empire, Gene plays a singing cowboy host of Radio Ranch, a daily program featuring trick riding, shooting, and songs of the old west. Gene and his pards along with bad-guy scientists in search of uranium (atomic age preview in 1935), discover entry to the vast underground alien city of Murania ruled by evil Queen Tika. Queenie and her minions possess all manner of fanciful futuristic unknown scientific gadgetry. In Phantom Empire we are treated to sci-fi western for any compelled to combine western and sci-fi. Likely why some say sci-fi is nothing more than a western with rockets and ray guns. To no one’s surprise Gene triumphs over the evil queen and her baddies. The End.
For so humble a beginning The Phantom Empire certainly left a lofty legacy. It introduced us to Gene Autry. According to sources, it was a box office success, born on the back of popcorn, soda pop, and forget-me-not Milk Duds. Then there is the sci-fi western sub-genre that survives to this very day, though truthfully, I like my sci-fi-sci-fi and my westerns western. Don’t mix peas and potatoes either.
Next Week: Tumbling Tumbleweeds
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 4, 2025
Remember Joseph Kane?
I confess I had no idea who Joseph Kane was when I stumbled on his link to this series. Sure should have. For those of you who like me don’t remember Joseph Kane, you probably owe your affection for western film to a hefty dose of his filmography. Buckle-up.
Jasper Joseph Inman Kane started his entertainment career as a cellist. Nothing says western like a cello, though at risk of giving away where all this is going, that first given name may hint at George Hayes’ use of it. Kane took an interest in film directing and caught on with Republic pictures in 1935. Now we’re getting somewhere. At Republic Kane took up screen writing, directing, film editing, and production. Over the course of his career he directed 119 films and television series episodes, mostly westerns.
Kane directed a cavalcade of western stars with names like Walter Brennan, Edgar Buchanan, Lee Van Cleef, Barbara Stanwick, and John Wayne. Add Smiley Burnette and George “Gabby” Hayes to the list and we come to the meat of the matter. Kane wrote, produced, and directed Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. And that, my friends, is how so many of us learned to love western film growing up. Sure those films were soaked in what became cliché – good guys in white hats, bad guys in black. Heros on big, beautiful horses, tacked up to co-star billing while bad guys rode non-descript bays. The bad guys came in for just deserts while the good guy got the girl and a song.
Remember? I sure do. It’s why anytime you come across this author cowboyed-up for a book club, library appearance, book signing, or giving a talk somewhere he always comes wearing a retro fancy shirt like my heroes wore. So, now you understand why I couldn’t resist this series. Let’s revisit all those memories of Gene and Roy on a guided tour of Joseph Kane’s iconic filmography. Back in the Saddle Again with Gene Autry . . .
Next Week: In Old Santa Fe
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Ride easy,
Paul
Jasper Joseph Inman Kane started his entertainment career as a cellist. Nothing says western like a cello, though at risk of giving away where all this is going, that first given name may hint at George Hayes’ use of it. Kane took an interest in film directing and caught on with Republic pictures in 1935. Now we’re getting somewhere. At Republic Kane took up screen writing, directing, film editing, and production. Over the course of his career he directed 119 films and television series episodes, mostly westerns.
Kane directed a cavalcade of western stars with names like Walter Brennan, Edgar Buchanan, Lee Van Cleef, Barbara Stanwick, and John Wayne. Add Smiley Burnette and George “Gabby” Hayes to the list and we come to the meat of the matter. Kane wrote, produced, and directed Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. And that, my friends, is how so many of us learned to love western film growing up. Sure those films were soaked in what became cliché – good guys in white hats, bad guys in black. Heros on big, beautiful horses, tacked up to co-star billing while bad guys rode non-descript bays. The bad guys came in for just deserts while the good guy got the girl and a song.
Remember? I sure do. It’s why anytime you come across this author cowboyed-up for a book club, library appearance, book signing, or giving a talk somewhere he always comes wearing a retro fancy shirt like my heroes wore. So, now you understand why I couldn’t resist this series. Let’s revisit all those memories of Gene and Roy on a guided tour of Joseph Kane’s iconic filmography. Back in the Saddle Again with Gene Autry . . .
Next Week: In Old Santa Fe
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
