Gene Autry filmography

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

Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette in their first film appearance together in the 1934 film In Old Santa Fe

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:

Autry's early films broke ground in a number of other ways. Comedy (usually in the person of Smiley "Frog Millhouse" Burnette) was featured to a degree rarely if ever seen before in westerns; women were usually not portrayed as helpless prairie flowers in need of a good rescuing, but instead as independent, sassy, and intelligent; and, with a few exceptions, the time period was the present. Once the viewer could accept a West where six-guns and saddles coincided with radios, telephones, and Lincoln convertibles, scripts could touch on a number of contemporary social issues, such as the Dust Bowl and the treatment of Native Americans. The films often reflected the populist sentiment of the day: Gene Autry portrayed an Everyman, championing the rights of the small ranchers, farmers, and townspeople against heartless business conglomerates, corrupt politicians, or the injustices of "the system".[13]

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[14]

Films
Year Title Director Leading lady Sidekick Studio
1934 In Old Santa Fe David Howard Evalyn Knapp Smiley Burnette Mascot Pictures
1934 Mystery Mountain Otto Brower,
B. Reeves Eason		 Verna Hillie Smiley Burnette Mascot Pictures
1935 The Phantom Empire Otto Brower,
B. Reeves Eason		 Betsy King Ross Smiley Burnette Mascot Pictures
1935 Tumbling Tumbleweeds Joseph Kane Lucile Browne Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1935 Melody Trail Joseph Kane Ann Rutherford Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1935 The Sagebrush Troubadour Joseph Kane Barbara Pepper Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1935 The Singing Vagabond Carl Pierson Ann Rutherford Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1936 Red River Valley B. Reeves Eason Frances Grant Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1936 Comin' Round the Mountain Mack V. Wright Ann Rutherford Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1936 The Singing Cowboy Mack V. Wright Lois Wilde Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1936 Guns and Guitars Joseph Kane Dorothy Dix Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1936 Ride Ranger Ride Joseph Kane Kay Hughes Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1936 Oh, Susanna! Joseph Kane Frances Grant Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1936 The Big Show Mack V. Wright Kay Hughes Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1936 The Old Corral Joseph Kane Irene Manning Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1937 Round-Up Time in Texas Joseph Kane Maxine Doyle Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1937 Git Along Little Dogies Joseph Kane Judith Allen Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1937 Rootin' Tootin' Rhythm Mack V. Wright Armida Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1937 Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge Joseph Kane Betty Bronson Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1937 Public Cowboy No. 1 Joseph Kane Ann Rutherford Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1937 Boots and Saddles Joseph Kane Judith Allen Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1937 Springtime in the Rockies Joseph Kane Polly Rowles Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1938 The Old Barn Dance Joseph Kane Joan Valerie Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1938 Gold Mine in the Sky Joseph Kane Carol Hughes Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1938 Man from Music Mountain Joseph Kane Carol Hughes Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1938 Prairie Moon Ralph Staub Shirley Deane Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1938 Rhythm of the Saddle George Sherman Peggy Moran Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1938 Western Jamboree Ralph Staub Jean Rouverol Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1939 Home on the Prairie Jack Townley June Storey Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1939 Mexicali Rose George Sherman Luana Walters Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1939 Blue Montana Skies B. Reeves Eason June Storey Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1939 Mountain Rhythm B. Reeves Eason June Storey Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1939 Colorado Sunset George Sherman June Storey Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1939 In Old Monterey Joseph Kane June Storey Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1939 Rovin' Tumbleweeds George Sherman Mary Carlisle Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1939 South of the Border George Sherman June Storey Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1940 Rancho Grande Frank McDonald June Storey Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1940 Shooting High Alfred E. Green Marjorie Weaver — 20th Century Fox
1940 Gaucho Serenade Frank McDonald June Storey Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1940 Carolina Moon Frank McDonald June Storey Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1940 Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride Frank McDonald June Storey Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1940 Melody Ranch Joseph Santley Ann Miller Jimmy Durante Republic Pictures
1941 Ridin' on a Rainbow Lew Landers Carol Adams Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1941 Back in the Saddle Lew Landers Julie Bishop Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1941 The Singing Hill Lew Landers Virginia Dale Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1941 Sunset in Wyoming William Morgan Maris Wrixon Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1941 Under Fiesta Stars Frank McDonald Carol Hughes Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1941 Down Mexico Way Joseph Santley Fay McKenzie Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1941 Sierra Sue William Morgan Fay McKenzie Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1942 Cowboy Serenade William Morgan Fay McKenzie Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1942 Heart of the Rio Grande William Morgan Fay McKenzie Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1942 Home in Wyomin' William Morgan Fay McKenzie Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1942 Stardust on the Sage William Morgan Louise Currie Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1942 Call of the Canyon Joseph Santley Ruth Terry Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1942 Bells of Capistrano William Morgan Virginia Grey Smiley Burnette Republic Pictures
1946 Sioux City Sue Frank McDonald Lynne Roberts Sterling Holloway Republic Pictures
1947 Trail to San Antone John English Peggy Stewart Sterling Holloway Republic Pictures
1947 Twilight on the Rio Grande Frank McDonald Adele Mara Sterling Holloway Republic Pictures
1947 Saddle Pals Lesley Selander Lynne Roberts Sterling Holloway Republic Pictures
1947 Robin Hood of Texas Lesley Selander Lynne Roberts Sterling Holloway Republic Pictures
1947 The Last Round-Up John English Jean Heather Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1948 The Strawberry Roan John English Gloria Henry Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1948 Loaded Pistols John English Barbara Britton Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1949 The Big Sombrero Frank McDonald Elena Verdugo Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1949 Riders of the Whistling Pines John English Patricia White Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1949 Rim of the Canyon John English Nan Leslie Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1949 The Cowboy and the Indians John English Sheila Ryan Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1949 Riders in the Sky John English Gloria Henry Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1949 Sons of New Mexico John English Gail Davis Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1950 Mule Train John English Sheila Ryan Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1950 Cow Town John English Gail Davis Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1950 Beyond the Purple Hills John English Jo Dennison Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1950 Indian Territory John English Gail Davis Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1950 The Blazing Sun John English Lynn Roberts Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1951 Gene Autry and the Mounties John English Elena Verdugo Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1951 Texans Never Cry Frank McDonald Gail Davis Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1951 Whirlwind John English Gail Davis Smiley Burnette Columbia Pictures
1951 Silver Canyon John English Gail Davis Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1951 The Hills of Utah John English Elaine Riley Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1951 Valley of Fire John English Gail Davis Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1952 The Old West George Archainbaud Gail Davis Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1952 Night Stage to Galveston George Archainbaud Virginia Huston Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1952 Apache Country George Archainbaud Carolina Cotton Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1952 Barbed Wire George Archainbaud Anne James Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1952 Wagon Team George Archainbaud Gail Davis Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1952 Blue Canadian Rockies George Archainbaud Gail Davis Pat Buttram Columbia Pictures
1953 Winning of the West George Archainbaud Gail Davis Smiley Burnette Columbia Pictures
1953 On Top of Old Smoky George Archainbaud Gail Davis Smiley Burnette Columbia Pictures
1953 Goldtown Ghost Riders George Archainbaud Gail Davis Smiley Burnette Columbia Pictures
1953 Pack Train George Archainbaud Gail Davis Smiley Burnette Columbia Pictures
1953 Saginaw Trail George Archainbaud Connie Marshall Smiley Burnette Columbia Pictures
1953 Last of the Pony Riders George Archainbaud Kathleen Case Smiley Burnette Columbia Pictures

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]

Year Title Director Leading lady Sidekick Airdate
1950 Head for Texas Frank McDonald Barbara Stanley Pat Buttram July 23, 1950
1950 Gold Dust Charlie Frank McDonald Sheila Ryan Pat Buttram July 30, 1950
1950 The Silver Arrow Frank McDonald Sandy Sanders Pat Buttram August 6, 1950
1950 The Doodle Bug Frank McDonald Sheila Ryan Pat Buttram August 13, 1950
1950 The Star Toter Frank McDonald Barbara Stanley Pat Buttram August 20, 1950
1950 The Double Switch Frank McDonald — Pat Buttram August 27, 1950
1950 Blackwater Valley Feud George Archainbaud Gail Davis Pat Buttram September 3, 1950
1950 Doublecross Valley George Archainbaud Gail Davis Pat Buttram September 10, 1950
1950 The Posse George Archainbaud Wendy Waldron Pat Buttram September 17, 1950
1950 The Devil's Brand George Archainbaud Gail Davis Pat Buttram September 24, 1950
1950 The Poinsoned Waterhole Frank McDonald Sheila Ryan Pat Buttram October 8, 1950
1950 The Lost Chance Frank McDonald — Pat Buttram October 15, 1950
1950 The Black Rider Frank McDonald Sheila Ryan Pat Buttram October 22, 1950
1950 Gunpowder Range George Archainbaud Gail Davis Pat Buttram October 29, 1950
1950 The Breakup George Archainbaud Lynne Roberts Pat Buttram November 5, 1950
1950 Twisted Trails George Archainbaud Lynne Roberts Pat Buttram November 12, 1950
1950 The Fight at Peaceful Mesa George Archainbaud Gail Davis Pat Buttram November 19, 1950
1950 Hot Lead George Archainbaud — Alan Hale Jr. November 26, 1950
1950 The Gray Dude Frank McDonald — Chill Wills December 3, 1950
1950 The Killer Horse George Archainbaud — Alan Hale Jr. December 10, 1950
1950 The Peacemaker Frank McDonald Peggy Stewart Chill Wills December 17, 1950
1950 The Sheriff of Santa Rose George Archainbaud Nan Leslie Fuzzy Knight December 24, 1950
1950 T.N.T. George Archainbaud Eilene Janssen Fuzzy Knight December 24, 1950
1951 The Raiders John English Nan Leslie Fuzzy Knight April 14, 1951
1951 Double-Barreled Vengeance John English Nan Leslie Fuzzy Knight April 21, 1951
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References
Citations
  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. Hardy, Phil (1984). The Encyclopedia of Western Movies. Woodbury Press. ISBN 978-0830004058.
  8. "Quigley Publishing Top Ten MoneyMakers Poll". B Westerns. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  9. "Top Ten Money Making Stars". Quigley Publishing. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  10. Magers, pp. 418–419.
  11. Magers, pp. 414–417.
  12. Magers, pp. 402–404.
  13. Green, pp. 132–133.
  14. "Gene Autry.com". Gene Autry Entertainment. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
Bibliography
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