Worth 1,000 Words: Cowboy Superstar BUCK JONES rides the KC range
This unpublished photo of Buck Jones astride his steed Silver was taken during a visit to Kansas City, Mo. during the 1930s. Not much is known about the exact date and circumstances, but Buck was probably part of a parade. Judging by the long gone R. S. Elliott Arms Co. sign down the street on left, the location should be 15th and Grand Ave. It is interesting to see the streetcar tracks and overhead power lines. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
By Steve Crum
BUCK JONES (Dec. 12, 1891-Nov. 30, 1942), like Ohioan Roy Rogers, was a major cowboy movie star not bred in the West. Buck was born Charles Frederick Gebhart in Vincennes, Indiana. Much like the western knights he portrayed later, Buck’s heroics began when he was 16 years old. After joining the army and fighting in the Moro Rebellion in the Philippines, 1907-09, the teenager was mustered out of the service after being wounded. He re-enlisted a year later, desiring to be an airplane pilot, but was disqualified since he was not an officer. In 1913, his military career ended.
Then Buck Jones the cowboy emerged. He was working as a ranch hand in Bliss, Oklahoma when he met his future wife, “Dell,” who was an expert rider. Together, they joined a Wild West show and briefly toured. To make more money, Buck signed on at Universal Studios as a bit player and stuntman. Before long, his charisma, looks and horsemanship brought him his first starring role, in the 1920 silent, The Last Straw. Buck was soon among the top movie cowboys in popularity and money making, joining the ranks of Hoot Gibson, Tom Mix and Ken Maynard. In 1928, he felt independent enough to start his own movie studio, which did not last. Signing with Columbia Pictures in the early 1930s, Buck began his career in cowboy movies with sound. By the early 1940s, he had 160 cowboy flicks under his fancy belt. By this time, there was the successful “Buck Jones Model” air rifle sold by Daisy. Unlike the Red Ryder model, it was distinguished by having a sundial in the stock.
Buck’s career tragically ended following 1942’s infamous Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston. Legend has it that Buck initially escaped and then went back in to rescue patrons. Historians now say he was merely one of those trapped behind doors that would not open among highly flammable surroundings. Buck and 241 others died.——————–
Listen to the Buck Jones song, and view images, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ_P1ZdQcys
Worth 1,000 Words: FESS PARKER’s DAVY CROCKETT
By Steve Crum
“Born on a mountain top in Tennessee” he was not, yet FESS PARKER, who died yesterday at age 85, will forever be DAVY CROCKETT, the frontiersman, congressman, and legendary hero of the Alamo. Thanks to Walt Disney and the millions of children who watched Davy Crockett and his adventures on TV beginning in 1954, Fess Parker (Aug. 16, 1924 in Ft. Worth, Texas-March 18, 2010) is THE coonskin hat wearer of all time.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in History, and working toward a Master’s in Theater History, Fess Parker veered toward acting. After small roles in Warner Brothers films beginning in 1950, Parker was discovered by Walt Disney, who was casting the lead role of Davy Crockett in an upcoming miniseries on the Disneyland TV show. Disney, the story goes, caught Parker in a minute role in the sci fi classic, Them!, and soon selected Parker over Buddy Ebsen as Crockett. Ebsen was recast as Crockett’s sidekick, Georgie Russell.
Only three episodes were planned for the Davy Crockett saga, ending with Crockett’s death at the Alamo. It was one of the few, literally overnight sensations in the history of show business. The nation, and eventually the world, became Crockett crazy. Caught off guard, the Disney corporation had no Crockett merchandise ready to peddle. However, it did not take long for Davy Crockett toys, games, and coonskin hats to hit the market and sell in the millions. The Ballad of Davy Crockett, sung throughout the three TV episodes, was in the Top 10. In fact, there were no less than three singers of the same song in the Top 10 at the same time: Bill Hayes, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Fess Parker himself. Disney rapidly released two prequels of the Crockett story, and they were ratings hits as well. Soon all five TV episodes were edited into two feature length movies.
Still under contract to Disney, Fess Parker starred in The Great Locomotive Chase, Old Yeller, and Westward Ho! The Wagons. Post-Disney, Parker starred in the short lived series, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Typecast as a frontiersman, Parker signed with NBC-TV for the series, Daniel Boone. From 1964-70, Fess Parker wore the moccasins, fringe leather, and cookskin cap once again. Before retiring from acting, Parker turned down the role of modern lawman cowboy McCloud. Instead, Dennis Weaver successfully took the role. Soon after, Parker opened the Fess Parker Family Winery & Vineyards in Los Olivos, California. His logo on the award winning wines produced under his name: “The Golden Coonskin Hat.” Fess Parker died of natural causes on his wife’s 84th birthday.
——————-The photo at right of the younger Davy Crockett was taken on May 28, 1955, when yours truly, then Stevie Crum, turned seven. For most of that day, I channeled Fess Parker’s Davy Crockett as I scouted our neighborhood for bears and cantankerous keelboaters like Mike Fink, King of the River. It was a joy portraying my hero, The King of the Wild Frontier. (from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection)
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Worth 1,000 Words: AL JOLSON & WILLIE RITCHIE
WHAT A KNOCKOUT PHOTO! Sitting in a 1920’s (or earlier) touring car are The World’s Greatest Entertainer, AL JOLSON (May 26. 1886-Oct. 23, 1950), alongside The World’s Lightweight Boxing Champion, WILLIE RITCHIE (Feb. 13, 1891-March 24, 1975). Someone has written their names in white ink on the photo. The vintage photograph, stamped on the back by the Laval Co. Inc. Commercial Photography of Fresno, CA, is rich in personalities depicted, but weak on any specific information as to the year, location and circumstances under which it was taken. [from Steve Crum’s collection]
Ritchie’s birth name, Gerhardt Anthony Steffan, was changed to hide the fact from his mother that he had taken up boxing. He began his boxing career in 1907, and eventually became the World’s Lightweight Champ (1912-14). He retired from boxing in 1927, the same year Jolson’s heralded talkie, The Jazz Singer, premiered. Willie Ritchie was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1962. ——————–
If anyone has information about the top photo with Jolson (a Where, What, Why or How would be welcome), please enter such in the comment link below.
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For rarely seen footage of Willie Ritchie’s July 4, 1913 Lightweight Championship (which he won) vs Joe Rivers, link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfBmJZ401Qg
Worth 1,000 Words: GABBY HAYES leads the sidekick parade
By Steve Crum
GEORGE “GABBY” HAYES (May 7, 1885-Feb. 9, 1969) is arguably THE best of the cowboy movie sidekicks. Not taking anything away from Smiley Burnette, “Fuzzy” St. John, Max Terhune, Pat Brady, Andy Devine, and the dozen or so more sidekicks, it is Gabby Hayes who cowboy movie fans usually remember most fondly when the good old days of shoot ‘em up B-western films are discussed.
Gabby played sidekick, ie: backup, comedy support who could use his pistol and fists when necessary, with the best of the best western stars. He was first Hopalong Cassidy’s sidekick Windy Halliday from 1935-39. Then a salary dispute with Paramount triggered (good verb, huh?) a move to Republic Pictures, which became Hayes’ home studio for years. His screen name was changed to Gabby Whitaker as he rode alongside Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and Wild Bill Elliott in over 40 oaters through 1946. He supported Randolph Scott in six movies, and John Wayne in 20. Most of the time he was the sidekick, but he frequently played a character role outside his norm. Gabby’s last role was with Randolph Scott in 1950’s The Cariboo Trail. (He played “Grizzly” Winters in that one.)
Then Gabby moseyed into Saturday morning television with NBC’s The Gabby Hayes Show (1950-54). In 1956, his show moved to ABC for a brief time. At that time, there were popular Gabby Hayes comic books as well as a Gabby Hayes Children’s Summer Camp in New York.
It was an impressive career journey for one of seven Hayes kids born in Wellsville, New York. Gabby did not seem to age that much over the years he was a cowboy icon, probably due to the fact his greying, grizzled beard and removal of his false teeth kept him looking older than his real age. To this day, he is still considered (and often satirized) the premier and most beloved cowboy movie sidekick of them all. Check out Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles as well as the singing group Riders in the Sky. Their “Sidemeat” character is pretty much Gabby.
Every year in April, at the start of trout season, a group of old friends and admirers gather in Pennsylvania to participate in the Gabby Hayes Memorial Fishing Expedition. Gabby would surely get a “kick” out of it.
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FROM A SMALL PHOTO taken from way back and above the crowd, Gabby Hayes rides in a convertible while in a parade. I acquired this unpublished snapshot years ago without any explanation as to the location and date. It appears to be in the late 1930’s or early ‘40s. If anyone knows anything about the location (using a magnifying glass might help ID the town), please leave a comment below. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]——————–
Here is some of the best of Gabby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7koigiUq7GE