Roy - One Way or Another
You may recall we started down the trail to this series reviewing films directed by Joseph Kane who gave us Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, singing cowboy icons near and dear the hearts of so many of us. Kane delivered. Research gave us a passel of fond memories of Gene, but Roy? Beginning with Under Western Stars Roy made something north of 90 films (not all with Kane). We looked at most of them looking for post material. We found titles, lobby cards, and maybe a paragraph description on plot – many didn’t even have that. Which brings us to Roy – One Way or Another.
We know the Leonard Slye story with The Sons of the Pioneers. We remember the matinee idol who became box office success to inspire all those films. We remember the ensemble following him. Roy rode onto the screen co-stared with Trigger. Who didn’t love that glorious palomino? We remember all those romantic leading ladies until Dale Evans hit Happy Trails on Buttermilk with Bullet. Sidekicks? Name one who didn’t ride with Roy – Andy Devine, “Gabby” Hayes, Smiley Burnette, Pat Brady, and Pat Butrum down shifting Nellie Belle. We crowned Roy King of the Cowboys right beside Gene and Randolph Scott.
Roy blazed an important trail in his 1940 contract with Republic Pictures. Republic got Roy’s movie and appearance money. Good agent counsel added a clause to the new contract giving Roy rights to his likeness, voice, and name. Sound precedent breaking? Ask Clayton Moore who later learned the Lone Ranger lesson the hard way. Roy’s name and image went on everything from action figures to comic books, watches, lunchboxes, radio show, television series and eventually a restaurant chain.
Roy and Dale became strong advocates of adoption, adopting several children of their own. Children’s charities were an important expression of their Christian faith. So there you have it. Roy – One Way or Another. Which brings us to the end of Joseph Kane.
Where to next? How about Movie Ranches? Turns out they played important roles in western film
Next Week: Movie Ranches
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Ride easy,
Paul
We know the Leonard Slye story with The Sons of the Pioneers. We remember the matinee idol who became box office success to inspire all those films. We remember the ensemble following him. Roy rode onto the screen co-stared with Trigger. Who didn’t love that glorious palomino? We remember all those romantic leading ladies until Dale Evans hit Happy Trails on Buttermilk with Bullet. Sidekicks? Name one who didn’t ride with Roy – Andy Devine, “Gabby” Hayes, Smiley Burnette, Pat Brady, and Pat Butrum down shifting Nellie Belle. We crowned Roy King of the Cowboys right beside Gene and Randolph Scott.
Roy blazed an important trail in his 1940 contract with Republic Pictures. Republic got Roy’s movie and appearance money. Good agent counsel added a clause to the new contract giving Roy rights to his likeness, voice, and name. Sound precedent breaking? Ask Clayton Moore who later learned the Lone Ranger lesson the hard way. Roy’s name and image went on everything from action figures to comic books, watches, lunchboxes, radio show, television series and eventually a restaurant chain.
Roy and Dale became strong advocates of adoption, adopting several children of their own. Children’s charities were an important expression of their Christian faith. So there you have it. Roy – One Way or Another. Which brings us to the end of Joseph Kane.
Where to next? How about Movie Ranches? Turns out they played important roles in western film
Next Week: Movie Ranches
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
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