Gene Autry filmography explained

This Gene Autry filmography lists the films and television episodes starring the American singing cowboy Gene Autry.

Overview

From 1934 to 1953, Autry appeared in 93 films.[1] Discovered by film producer Nat Levine in 1934, Autry and his sidekick Smiley Burnette made their film debut for Mascot Pictures in In Old Santa Fe as part of a singing cowboy quartet. In 1935, Levine gave him the starring role in the 12-part serial The Phantom Empire. When Mascot was absorbed by the newly formed Republic Pictures, Autry went along to make 57 B Westerns in which he played under his own name, rode his own horse, Champion, had Burnette as his sidekick, and sang several songs in each film—including some that would become his most popular hits. In 1947, with his Republic contract fulfilled, Autry began producing his own films which were distributed by Columbia Pictures.[1] For his Columbia films, Autry chose Sterling Holloway as his sidekick for five films, and then Pat Buttram for sixteen films. Burnette returned for the last six films released in 1953.[2] From 1950 to 1955, Autry appeared in 91 episodes of The Gene Autry Show television series.[3] [4] Buttram played his sidekick in 83 of the 91 episodes.[5]

While his films never achieved the critical recognition given to the films by John Ford, Henry Hathaway, and others, Autry was more popular than John Wayne for nearly a decade.[6] He was voted the top Western movie star for six years in a row, and was named the fourth most popular of all box-office stars in America by film exhibitors in 1940.[6] In the Motion Picture Herald Top Ten Money-Making Western Stars poll, Autry was listed every year from 1936 to 1942 and 1946 to 1954 (he served in the AAF 1943–45), holding first place from 1937 to 1942, and second place from 1947 to 1954.[7] He appeared in the Box Office poll from 1936 to 1955, holding first place from 1936 to 1942, and second place from 1943 to 1952.[8] His popularity with audiences was reflected in his box office drawing power, appeared in the Top Ten Money Makers Poll of all films from 1940 to 1942.[9]

While Autry worked with many directors, screenwriters, and actresses throughout his career, some played especially important roles in the development of Autry's screen persona and style. Joe Kane directed 17 Autry films, Frank McDonald directed 9 films and 16 television episodes, George Sherman directed 5 films, William Morgan directed 7 films, John English directed 19 films and 2 television episodes, and George Archainbaud directed 12 films and 47 television episodes.[10] Some writers were equally important in providing stories that Autry felt comfortable dramatizing. Oliver Drake wrote 7 screenplays, Dorrell and Stuart McGowen wrote 15, Betty Burbridge wrote 14, Gerald Geraghty wrote 19, Norman S. Hall wrote 10, and Olive Cooper wrote 6.[11] Of the many leading ladies who played opposite Autry in his films and television series, a few stand out, including Ann Rutherford in 4 films, Carol Hughs in 3 films, June Storey in 10 films, Fay McKenzie in 5 films, ad Gail Davis in 14 films and 15 television episodes.[12] One of the most important components of Autry's films was the comic relief provided by his sidekicks. Smiley Burnette co-starred in 60 Autry films, Sterling Holloway in 5 films, and Pat Buttramin in 16 films and 83 television episodes.[2]

In his book Singing in the Saddle, author Douglas B. Green wrote that Autry had a profound impact on the western genre film, and that his early "pioneering films" heralded the musical western genre, which from that point on made up a high percentage of B-westerns. Other western stars began to make room in their films for musical numbers by popular western singing groups like the Sons of the Pioneers. Green continued:

As of 2014, a large number of these films and television episodes remain available via the Gene Autry Foundation on the Western Channel (a cable television station), the latter having collaborated with the Foundation to restore the Republic titles, which had been cut to a uniform 54 minutes for television release in the 1950s, to full length and to provide clean negative-based source prints for all the titles in the 1990s. Autry is the only person to have five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one in each of the five categories maintained by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce—motion pictures, radio, recording, television, and live theater. His motion picture star is located at 6644 Hollywood Boulevard, and his television star is located at 6667 Hollywood Boulevard[13]

Films

YearTitleRoleDirectorLeading ladySidekickStudioNotes
1934In Old Santa FeHimselfEvalyn KnappSmiley BurnetteMascot Pictures
1934Mystery MountainThomas - TeamsterOtto Brower,
B. Reeves Eason		Verna HillieSmiley BurnetteMascot PicturesSerial, [Ch. 6, 7] Uncredited
1935The Phantom EmpireHimselfOtto Brower,
B. Reeves Eason		Betsy King RossSmiley BurnetteMascot Pictures
1935Tumbling TumbleweedsHimselfJoseph KaneLucile BrowneSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1935Melody TrailHimselfJoseph KaneAnn RutherfordSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1935The Sagebrush TroubadourGene AutryJoseph KaneBarbara PepperSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1935The Singing VagabondCaptain Tex AutryCarl PiersonAnn RutherfordSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1936Red River ValleyHimselfB. Reeves EasonFrances GrantSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1936Comin' Round the MountainHimselfMack V. WrightAnn RutherfordSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1936The Singing CowboyHimselfMack V. WrightLois WildeSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1936Guns and GuitarsHimselfJoseph KaneDorothy DixSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1936Oh, Susanna!HimselfJoseph KaneFrances GrantSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1936Ride Ranger RideHimselfJoseph KaneKay HughesSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1936The Big ShowHimself / Tom FordMack V. WrightKay HughesSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1936The Old CorralHimselfJoseph KaneIrene ManningSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1937Round-Up Time in TexasHimselfJoseph KaneMaxine DoyleSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1937Git Along Little DogiesHimselfJoseph KaneJudith AllenSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1937Rootin' Tootin' RhythmHimselfMack V. WrightArmidaSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1937Yodelin' Kid from Pine RidgeHimselfJoseph KaneBetty BronsonSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1937Public Cowboy No. 1HimselfJoseph KaneAnn RutherfordSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1937Boots and SaddlesHimselfJoseph KaneJudith AllenSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1937Springtime in the RockiesHimselfJoseph KanePolly RowlesSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1937Manhattan Merry-Go-RoundHimselfCharles ReisnerAnn DvorakRepublic Pictures
1938The Old Barn DanceHimselfJoseph KaneJoan ValerieSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1938Gold Mine in the SkyHimselfJoseph KaneCarol HughesSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1938Man from Music MountainHimselfJoseph KaneCarol HughesSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1938Prairie MoonHimselfRalph StaubShirley DeaneSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1938Rhythm of the SaddleHimselfGeorge ShermanPeggy MoranSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1938Western JamboreeHimselfRalph StaubJean RouverolSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1939Home on the PrairieHimselfJack TownleyJune StoreySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1939Mexicali RoseHimselfGeorge ShermanLuana WaltersSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1939Blue Montana SkiesHimselfB. Reeves EasonJune StoreySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1939Mountain RhythmHimselfB. Reeves EasonJune StoreySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1939Colorado SunsetHimselfGeorge ShermanJune StoreySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1939In Old MontereyHimselfJoseph KaneJune StoreySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1939Rovin' TumbleweedsHimselfGeorge ShermanMary CarlisleSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1939South of the BorderHimselfGeorge ShermanJune StoreySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1940Rancho GrandeHimselfFrank McDonaldJune StoreySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1940Shooting HighWill CarsonAlfred E. GreenMarjorie Weaver—20th Century Fox
1940Gaucho SerenadeHimselfFrank McDonaldJune StoreySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1940Carolina MoonHimselfFrank McDonaldJune StoreySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1940Ride, Tenderfoot, RideHimselfFrank McDonaldJune StoreySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1940Melody RanchHimselfJoseph SantleyAnn MillerJimmy DuranteRepublic Pictures
1941Ridin' on a RainbowHimselfLew LandersCarol AdamsSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1941Back in the SaddleHimselfLew LandersJulie BishopSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1941The Singing HillHimselfLew LandersVirginia DaleSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1941Sunset in WyomingHimselfWilliam MorganMaris WrixonSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1941Under Fiesta StarsHimselfFrank McDonaldCarol HughesSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1941Down Mexico WayHimselfJoseph SantleyFay McKenzieSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1941Sierra SueHimselfWilliam MorganFay McKenzieSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1942Cowboy SerenadeHimselfWilliam MorganFay McKenzieSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1942Heart of the Rio GrandeHimselfWilliam MorganFay McKenzieSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1942Home in Wyomin'HimselfWilliam MorganFay McKenzieSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1942Stardust on the SageHimselfWilliam MorganLouise CurrieSmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1942Call of the CanyonHimselfJoseph SantleyRuth TerrySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1942Bells of CapistranoHimselfWilliam MorganVirginia GreySmiley BurnetteRepublic Pictures
1946Sioux City SueHimselfFrank McDonaldLynne RobertsSterling HollowayRepublic Pictures
1947Trail to San AntoneHimselfJohn EnglishPeggy StewartSterling HollowayRepublic Pictures
1947Twilight on the Rio GrandeHimselfFrank McDonaldAdele MaraSterling HollowayRepublic Pictures
1947Saddle PalsHimselfLesley SelanderLynne RobertsSterling HollowayRepublic Pictures
1947Robin Hood of TexasHimselfLesley SelanderLynne RobertsSterling HollowayRepublic Pictures
1947The Last Round-UpHimselfJohn EnglishJean HeatherShug FisherColumbia Pictures
1948The Strawberry RoanHimselfJohn EnglishGloria HenryPat Buttram / Rufe DavisColumbia Pictures
1948Loaded PistolsHimselfJohn EnglishBarbara BrittonChill WillsColumbia Pictures
1949The Big SombreroHimselfFrank McDonaldElena VerdugononeColumbia Pictures
1949Riders of the Whistling PinesHimselfJohn EnglishPatricia WhitenoneColumbia Pictures
1949Rim of the CanyonHimselfJohn EnglishNan LeslieClem BevansColumbia Pictures
1949The Cowboy and the IndiansHimselfJohn EnglishSheila RyanHank PattersonColumbia Pictures
1949Riders in the SkyHimselfJohn EnglishGloria HenryPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1949Sons of New MexicoHimselfJohn EnglishGail DavisPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1950Mule TrainHimselfJohn EnglishSheila RyanPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1950Cow TownHimselfJohn EnglishGail DavisPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1950HoedownHimselfRay NazarroJeff DonnellColumbia Pictures
1950Beyond the Purple HillsHimselfJohn EnglishJo DennisonPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1950Indian TerritoryHimselfJohn EnglishGail DavisPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1950The Blazing SunHimselfJohn EnglishLynn RobertsPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1951Gene Autry and the MountiesHimselfJohn EnglishElena VerdugoPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1951Texans Never CryHimselfFrank McDonaldGail DavisPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1951WhirlwindHimselfJohn EnglishGail DavisSmiley BurnetteColumbia Pictures
1951Silver CanyonHimselfJohn EnglishGail DavisPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1951The Hills of UtahHimselfJohn EnglishElaine RileyPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1951Valley of FireHimselfJohn EnglishGail DavisPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1952The Old WestHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1952Night Stage to GalvestonHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudVirginia HustonPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1952Apache CountryHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudCarolina CottonPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1952Barbed WireHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudAnne JamesPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1952Wagon TeamHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1952Rainbow 'Round My ShoulderHimselfRichard QuineCharlotte AustinColumbia Pictures
1952Blue Canadian RockiesHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisPat ButtramColumbia Pictures
1953Winning of the WestHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisSmiley BurnetteColumbia Pictures
1953On Top of Old SmokyHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisSmiley BurnetteColumbia Pictures
1953Goldtown Ghost RidersHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisSmiley BurnetteColumbia Pictures
1953Pack TrainHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisSmiley BurnetteColumbia Pictures
1953Saginaw TrailHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudConnie MarshallSmiley BurnetteColumbia Pictures
1953Last of the Pony RidersHimselfGeorge ArchainbaudKathleen CaseSmiley BurnetteColumbia Pictures
1959Alias Jesse JamesHimselfNorman Z. McLeodRhonda FlemingUnited Artists(scenes deleted)

Television

The Gene Autry Show first aired on the CBS television network on Sunday July 23, 1950 and ran for five years for a total of 91 episodes, with the last show airing on December 17, 1955. All the shows were produced by Autry's Flying A Pictures production company and were 30 minutes in length. Fifteen episodes were filmed in color. The Gene Autry Show continued to be broadcast in syndication well into the 1970s.[3] [5]

YearTitleDirectorLeading ladySidekickAirdate
1950Head for TexasFrank McDonaldBarbara StanleyPat ButtramJuly 23, 1950
1950Gold Dust CharlieFrank McDonaldSheila RyanPat ButtramJuly 30, 1950
1950The Silver ArrowFrank McDonaldSandy SandersPat ButtramAugust 6, 1950
1950The Doodle BugFrank McDonaldSheila RyanPat ButtramAugust 13, 1950
1950The Star ToterFrank McDonaldBarbara StanleyPat ButtramAugust 20, 1950
1950The Double SwitchFrank McDonald—Pat ButtramAugust 27, 1950
1950Blackwater Valley FeudGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisPat ButtramSeptember 3, 1950
1950Doublecross ValleyGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisPat ButtramSeptember 10, 1950
1950The PosseGeorge ArchainbaudWendy WaldronPat ButtramSeptember 17, 1950
1950The Devil's BrandGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisPat ButtramSeptember 24, 1950
1950The Poinsoned WaterholeFrank McDonaldSheila RyanPat ButtramOctober 8, 1950
1950The Lost ChanceFrank McDonald—Pat ButtramOctober 15, 1950
1950The Black RiderFrank McDonaldSheila RyanPat ButtramOctober 22, 1950
1950Gunpowder RangeGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisPat ButtramOctober 29, 1950
1950The BreakupGeorge ArchainbaudLynne RobertsPat ButtramNovember 5, 1950
1950Twisted TrailsGeorge ArchainbaudLynne RobertsPat ButtramNovember 12, 1950
1950The Fight at Peaceful MesaGeorge ArchainbaudGail DavisPat ButtramNovember 19, 1950
1950Hot LeadGeorge Archainbaud—Alan Hale Jr.November 26, 1950
1950The Gray DudeFrank McDonald—Chill WillsDecember 3, 1950
1950The Killer HorseGeorge Archainbaud—Alan Hale Jr.December 10, 1950
1950The PeacemakerFrank McDonaldPeggy StewartChill WillsDecember 17, 1950
1950The Sheriff of Santa RoseGeorge ArchainbaudNan LeslieFuzzy KnightDecember 24, 1950
1950T.N.T.George ArchainbaudEilene JanssenFuzzy KnightDecember 24, 1950
1951The RaidersJohn EnglishNan LeslieFuzzy KnightApril 14, 1951
1951Double-Barreled VengeanceJohn EnglishNan LeslieFuzzy KnightApril 21, 1951

References

Citations
  • Bibliography

    • External links

    Notes and References

    1. Magers, pp. 21–336.
    2. Magers, pp. 400–401.
    3. Magers, pp. 342–344.
    4. George-Warren, pp. 382–385.
    5. Magers, pp. 345–391.
    6. George-Warren, p. 3.
    7. Book: Hardy, Phil . The Encyclopedia of Western Movies . Woodbury Press . 1984 . 978-0830004058.
    8. Web site: Quigley Publishing Top Ten MoneyMakers Poll . B Westerns . April 7, 2014.
    9. Web site: Top Ten Money Making Stars . Quigley Publishing . April 7, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141221063625/http://www.quigleypublishing.com/MPalmanac/Top10/Top10_lists.html . December 21, 2014 .
    10. Magers, pp. 418–419.
    11. Magers, pp. 414–417.
    12. Magers, pp. 402–404.
    13. Web site: Gene Autry.com . Gene Autry Entertainment . April 7, 2014.

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