Happy Birthday Gene Autry!
September 29, 1907

Gene reads some really large fan mail in 1935 for “Phantom Empire” showing at
Brir’s Strand (wherever that was). (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Max Terhune, Harry Van Noy and Gene Autry circa 1936. (Thanx to Ancient Faces.)
Our friend Rowland Tuggle identified Van Noy as the owner of Anderson’s Riviera Theater in Anderson, IN. He’d met Terhune when Max appeared in a local Anderson talent show and was impressed by him. In 1924 Roy Brownlee’s “Hicksville Follies” was appearing at the Riviera. Two of Brownlee’s cast were too drunk to go on. Brownlee asked Van Noy if he knew of two entertainers who could take their place. Van Noy told him he knew a man who could take the place of both, and he called Max who was working as a toolmaker at Delco-Remy. Max went on and was such a success Brownlee offered him a permanent job that night. Terhune left Delco-Remy and started with the company the next night in Crawfordsville, IN. Max stayed with the company for 46 successful weeks then returned to Delco-Remy the next year. Until ‘31, Max interspersed vaudeville and periods of work as a toolmaker. During the Depression Max went on the road once more.

Gene Autry in Berwyn (Gene Autry, Oklahoma) in 1941. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene relaxes in Gene Autry, OK, in 1941. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gabby Hayes, Ina Autry, Gene Autry and Vera Ralston at a Republic Pictures
function. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene and a group of theatre owners. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene poses with an unknown theatre owner. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene Autry and his “Melody Ranch” radio show gang: (L-R top) announcer Tom Hanlon, The Rough Riders Trio (Jimmy Wakely, Johnny Bond, Dick Reinhart). (L-R seated) Shorty Long as portrayed by Horace Murphy, Mary Lee and Gene Autry.
(Thanx to Billy Holcomb.)

One year, during Gene's time in the service, he was granted a ten day furlough and spent it in New York at the Madison Square Gardens rodeo which that year starred Roy Rogers. Here Sgt. Autry talks with a group of the Garden cowboys.

Gene and Ina Mae at home. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene and Ina Mae at home in 1949. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene relaxes at home in the mid-‘50s. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene savors a slice of watermelon while on location lunch break. Note Smiley
Burnette further back in line. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene in 1941 with record producer and A&R man Art Satherly. (Thanx to Bobby Copeland.)

Gene in discussion with director Frank McDonald (L) and producer Lou Gray.
(Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Publicity shot of Gene and Gail Davis during the making of
“Goldtown Ghost Riders” (‘53 Columbia).

Gene with his Flying A TV westerns crew at Pioneertown circa 1950-‘51.
(Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene and Champ arrive by cab for a rodeo performance.
(Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Crashin’ thru! (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

“Help, the stirrup’s too high!” and Gene seems to be saying “Can’t help you!”
(Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene entertains the kids at New York’s Bellevue Hospital in 1940. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene and Champion greet children on the streets of Houston during the January 29, 1947, Houston Fat Stock Show Rodeo parade.

At a Memphis, Tennessee hospital Gene signs an autograph for Ben Jarrett of Lexington, TN, on February 17, 1951. (Thanx to Bobby Copeland.)

Gene visits with a polio patient in 1955. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene signs a boy’s cast at the Shriner’s Hospital in 1958. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene chats with a group of admirers in the late ‘40s. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene and Champ beside a Republic Pictures truck. (Thanx to Billy Holcomb.)

Gene talks with some servicemen in the late ‘40s. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene presents a California Angels pennant to Anaheim Mayor Jack Dutton
on January 7, 1971.

Angels team owner Gene Autry walks through the Angels’ dugout during a 1989 Spring training game in Palm Springs.

Gene and Jackie Autry with Johnny Western who toured with The Cowboy during
Gene’s last year of touring.

Two western icons: James Arness and Gene Autry. (Thanx to Jerry Whittington.)

Gene sits with President Kennedy for an unknown event.

1985 Golden Boot Awards. (L-R) Pam Murphy (Audie’s widow), James Stewart, Eddie Dean, Jerry Scoggins, Pat Buttram, Iron Eyes Cody, Gene Autry, Monte Hale, Richard Farnsworth talks to Dale Robertson behind Monte.

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