Gene Autry and Jane Withers: Pals

 It is said that there was a time when Gene Autry was the hero of every red-blooded American boy. This may have well been true, but his fans were not limited to boys and child actress Jane Withers got the thrill of her life when she got to appear in a film with her favorite movie cowboy. The following article from a 1940 issue of the Screenland magazine tells this story. 

If you have trouble reading the following article click on the pages below and use your touch screen to zoom in. 

Here is the trailer for the movie in which the two appeared together in. 

And here is a song from Gene Autry himself. 

Michael's Christmas Movie Guide: 3 Godfathers (1948)

 

An offbeat, but incredibly charming Christmas movie. 

When one thinks of Christmas movies, the names John Wayne and John Ford do not immediately jump to mind. Yet together, the infamous director and star duo, made a true Christmas classic. This film is essentially an old west retelling of the biblical tale of the wise men. Not that it is a straight retelling of the biblical story, but it is obviously inspired by it. Our three main characters (John Wayne, Pedro Armendariz, Harry Carey, Jr.) begin the story as old west outlaws, simply wanting to rob banks. As the film begins, you begin to wonder if you are actually watching a Christmas movie or just a really good western. However, this all changes. The outlaws find a covered wagon in the middle of the desert and meet a woman about to give birth. They help her deliver the baby, but when the mother dies, they agree to bring the baby to safety. They take the baby to the town of New Jerusalem using a star to guide their way (now you see how this is clearly a Christmas movie).

Though this may not be a traditional Christmas movie, it captures the true spirit and meaning of Christmas more than many much more traditional Christmas films. This is especially true of the first scene in New Jerusalem. Though that scene is very brief, it perfectly captures the spirit of Christmas. Not only is the place decorated for Christmas and there is a beautiful (again if brief) piano version of Silent Night (the piano player on screen is none other than the film's composer, Richard Hageman), but it also shows beautifully the themes of redemption and putting others above yourself, two themes that have become synonymous with Christmas movies and Christmas itself. This is also when the biblical allegory reaches its climax, and the result is something truly beautiful. This scene always brings a little tear to my eye (especially as a Christian myself). Speaking of the biblical allegory, it works near perfectly in this film. It may not be subtle but it is incredibly effective. This is especially true because of how our main characters have to rely strictly on faith. There is no proof that they will end up in New Jerusalem and if they do end up there, they don't know what will happen next. This actually causes one to look at the story of the Magi in a way that they wouldn't before. Knowing what happens next in the Bible, we forget that the Wise Men acted on faith and not their own knowledge. This allegory makes what would have been a really good western into a truly great one. 

This is not to say that this film relies only on its biblical allegory. The movie has a lot more going for it. One thing is the incredible cast. I feel this one of the most underrated performances in John Wayne's career. His character undergoes a major arc and this is shown wonderfully throughout John Wayne's performance as we can feel the change in the character. This is why I can never buy it when anyone calls John Wayne a one-note actor or says he could only play himself. Harry Carey Jr. is also truly wonderful in one of his earliest film roles, showing an incredible depth in his scenes with the baby. Pedro Armendariz is not outshined by these two and offers both some really funny and moving moments. Ward Bond is a delight as the Marshall, never becoming the simple antagonist he could have been in lesser hands. Jane Darwell (who had been in John Ford's The Grapes of Wrath (1940)) is a scene stealer and brings some good old-fashioned comedy to this story. It is a delight to see the wonderful character actor, Guy Kibbee in his last film role (he plays the judge). John Ford's direction here is as wonderful as always and he proves why he is one of the greatest movie directors to ever live. He balances perfectly the darker aspects of this movie with scenes of pure joy (as well as some really good comedic scenes). Yet he does this in a way that makes you not take notice of the filmmaker behind the scenes. Also typical of John Ford movies, this film uses music to its best advantage. I can't imagine this movie without the aforementioned silent night or having Ward Bond's character sing the old cowboy song, Streets of Laredo to the baby and the hymn Shall We Gather at the River as they bury the mother of the child. These little musical moments add so much to the emotion of the story. Much attention also needs to be called to Winton Hoch's beautiful color cinematography. It truly looks beautiful and adds so much to the movie. Winton Hoch would return to work with John Ford and John Wayne for the brilliant, The Searchers (1956). 

This movie was based off a 1913 story by Peter B. Kyne. This story had been made into four other movies before this one. One of these films was Marked Men (1919). That movie was directed by John Ford and stared Harry Carey Sr., whose son played a major role in this film. Ford considered this the best of his silent films, but unfortunately the movie is considered lost. The opening credits for 3 Godfathers sate, "to the Memory of Harry Carey, Bright star of the early western sky." This is not long before the credit "Introducing Harry Carey Jr." Despite the connection between Harry Carey Jr. and Ford, Ford did not make this an easy shot for his friend. Ford is known for having been rough with actors on the set, and he didn't let himself show favoritism or go easy on someone due to a friendship. Shooting one scene* in this film is what the young actor would later refer to as "the toughest day of my motion picture life." Yet there is no denying that Carey not only pulled through this but came out with an incredible performance. 

This movie is often overlooked when it comes to the collaborations between John Ford and John Wayne. This may be because it came between Fort Apache (1948) and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), which are both considered classics. However this film is simply wonderful on its own terms. 

This may not be one of the first Christmas movies, one thinks of, but in my opinion it is a true holiday classic. 

Resources Used

Christmas in the Movies by Jeremy Arnold 


*Spoilers: referring to the scene where his character dies.

Cowboy Church #192

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today’s musical selection begins with Roy Rogers singing What a Friend we Have in Jesus. One of the most wonderful things about being a Christian is that we can have a personal friendship with our lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We can always talk to him personally about anything that is happening in our lives, whether that is something that is making us happy or something that we are struggling with. 

This is followed by Hank Snow singing Lord It’s Me Again.

Next comes Anne Wilson with That's What We Need. Mark 8:36 states "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Nothing this world (even the most wonderful things) can offer can compare to what God offers us every single day. There is no problem with enjoying the creation, but the creation is not what we need in this life. What we need is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This recording comes from Anne's 2022 debut album, My Jesus. 

 Next comes The Carter Family's classic 1927 recording of Can The Circle Be Unbroken. This song was based off of the 1907 Christian hymn (written by Charles H. Gabriel and Ada R. Habershon), Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Uncle A.P. Carter reworked this song changing the lyrics to be about the death of a mother. Though this version would be covered by an incredible amount of artists, many of them would change the title back to Will the Circle Be Unbroken as well as changing that one word in the chorus. However these cover versions would use A.P.'s lyrics for the rest of the song. This is one of my all-time favorite songs, because it is a sad song, but one which also finds hope within its darkness. This is a song about trusting in God in times when it is very difficult to, which is something many gospel songs don't cover but which many Christians struggle with. 

Now for Randy Travis with Which Way Will You Choose. This recording comes from Randy's 2000 album, Inspirational Journey. This was his first, but certainly not his last, gospel album. 

Afterwards is Johnny Cash with The Old Rugged Cross.  This version of the song comes from John's 1975 album, Johnny Cash Sing Precious Memories. This album (which entirely consists of traditional gospel songs) abandons John's traditional sound for a more lush and orchestrated sound. Much of this was due to arrangements by Bill Walker, who had been the musical director for John's TV show. This album was dedicated to John's late brother Jack, who had died at the age of 15 in a sawmill accident. His death took its toll on John and affected him for the rest of his life. This is written on the back of the album, "Dear Jack, We lost you one sad day in May 1944. I was twelve years old. Some of these songs were the songs we sang at your funeral. As you were dying you gave us a description of heaven and singing angels. Could these be some of the songs the angels were singing? See you later. Your little brother J.R."

Then comes The Sons of the Pioneers with How Will I Know Him. This song was written by one of the group's founding members, Bob Nolan. Roy Rogers (who was another founding member of the group) once stated about Bob Nolan, " I just don’t think he liked show business to start with. He was just that type of guy. He was his own man and he didn’t particularly enjoy it like the rest of us did. Bob was kind of a private man. I’ve known him since 1932 and he was a very quiet man. He didn’t like groups, crowds, or anything. I’ve seen him sit out and gaze off into the sunset and he was writing a song all the time but you didn’t know it. When you go over some of the lyrics he that wrote, he really did a lot of deep thinking about it." 

Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the San Joaquin with It is Well with My Soul.  Though this is a hymn of hope and peace it was written in a time of great sadness. The song was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. He had planned a European trip for himself, his wife and four daughters, however because of his work he was unable to go, and he let his family go without him and after he finished his work, he would meet them there. However, the ship was hit and quickly sank. Though his wife was saved all four of his daughters had gone down with the ship. Amazingly he wrote this hymn when approaching an area near where his daughters had sunk. 

 

This week's movie trailer is for a true classic John Ford's Stagecoach (1939). Today this is often remembered as the film that rocketed John Wayne from starring in B movies to major A pictures and that established him as one of the most iconic movie cowboys. This was also the first western director John Ford had made in 12 years and helped establish him as one of the finest directors the genre ever had. This was also his first movie to be shot in Monument Valley (located on the border between Airzonia and Utah), where he would shot many of his best films. In fact the area is now sometimes called John Ford Country. Coming out in what was considered Hollywood's greatest year, it would have been easy for this film to completely get lost among the score of great movies realesed in 1939. However with incredible perfromances, an intellgent script and great direction this movie rised above much of its competion to be considered a truly great film. At this time westerns were known as B movies and not something Hollywood took seriously. This film did a lot to change that. In fact this movie was even nominated for Best Picture (it lost to Gone With the Wind (1939)). This was not its only Oscar nomination. Joh Ford was nominated for Best Director, Bert Glennon for his cinematography, Alexander Toluboff for his art direction, Otho Lovering and Dorothy Spencer for their editing and Richard Hageman, W. Franke Harling, John Leipold and Leo Shuken for their music. Thomas Mitchell won for Best Supporting Actor. This was a great year for him as he also starred in the year's Best Picture, Gone with the Wind. This was a huge step towards Western films being taken seriously as an art. 

The following is an article from a 1968 issue of Hollywood Studio Magazine. If you have any trouble reading the pages click on them an use your touch to zoom in.

Next is C.S. Lewis' essay, The Horrid Red Things.

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 1 Peter 1:13

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. Isaiah 9:3

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. Proverbs 10:28

 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:17

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Thank you for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

https://www.tumbleweedtrail.net/rogershopper-1980

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die edited by Steven Jay Schneider

Cowboy Church #189

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Thank You God. This is the A-side of a 1956 Little Golden Record. The B-side was Let There Be Peace on Earth.

This is followed by Roy Clark with What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Despite being Joseph Medlicott Scriven's most famous composition, when he made a collection of his writings entitled Hymns and Other Verses it did not appear. It has been assumed that the reason for this is that he probably wrote it for his mother when she was sick and not for the public. It is believed that it is through his mother that the hymn reached the public. It first appeared in 1865's Social Hymns, Original and Selected credited as anonymous.

Next comes The Carter Family's 1938 recording of Walking in the King's Highway. 

This followed by The Sons of the San Joaquin with their cover of The Sons of the Pioneers song, Read the Bible. This song was written by Tim Spencer, one of the Pioneer's founding members. The Sons of San Joaquin' version comes from their 1997 gospel album, Gospel Trails. 

Up next is Lorretta Lynn with Gethsemane. This song comes from her 1970 gospel album, The Gospel Spirit. This song speaks about how perfectly Jesus' death and resurrection fulfilled the words the prophets had written long before it came to be. 

Afterwards is Marty Robbins with There's Power in the Blood. No matter how much we may love something this world has to offer us, none of it can ever compare to the power in Jesus' blood. For nothing else has the power to give us salvation or peace in times when we feel peace is impossible.

Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of What You Gonna Say To Peter. I don't know about you but it always amazes me knowing that one day, when I go to heaven, I am going to see so many of the men and women I have read about in the Bible. It is a humbling and wonderful thought. Of course, nothing though will compare to seeing my lord and savior Jesus Christ. This song was written by the Pioneers' own Bob Nolan, who also sings lead on this song.  

Today's movie trailer is for the wonderful Howard Hawks western, Red River (1948), starring John Wayne and Montgomery Clift. As film lovers know, Howard Hawks and John Wayne were a match made in heaven and the films they made together show the talents of both men to perfect advantage. They made five movies together were Red River (1948), Rio Bravo (1959), Hatari (1962), El Dorado (1966) and Rio Lobo (1970). Though John Ford is the director most often associated with John Wayne, Howard Hawks is often the second most thought of director for John Wayne movies. 

If you have trouble reading the pages below click on them and use your touch screen to zoom in. 

Motion Picture Herald, 1948

Now for sermon from S.M. Lockridge.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6–7

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. Deuteronomy 20:4

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Psalms 119:28

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:6

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-what-a-friend-we-have-in-jesus

 

 

Cowboy Church #187

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jesus Loves the Little Children. This comes from a 1955 Little Golden Record that also included them singing The Good Lord is Going to Take Care of You.   This song was written by C. Herbert Woolston and is said to have been inspired by Matthew 19:14 ( “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”) The song is to the tune of the 1864 Civil War song, Tramp Tramp Tramp (written by George Fredrick Root). Roy and Dale only sing the refrain of this song as that is all that was commonly used in Sunday schools.

This is followed by Merle Haggard with Victory in Jesus. Though there are many times when we feel defeated, it is important to know that as Christians we have victory in Jesus. He is our savior and no matter what happens to us on Earth, one day we will find ourselves in heaven, where there will be blessings beyond anything we have ever known or could ever imagine. By dying on the cross, Jesus has won the fight against sin and as we know by the book of Revelations, one day he is coming back to Earth to put Satan in chains. Merle is joined on this song by his good friend, Albert E. Brumley Jr.

Next comes Kris Kristofferson and Larry Gatlin with Help Me. In 1971 Connie Smith had invited Kris Kristofferson to the Evangel Temple. Jimmie Snow (the pastor of the church) had asked Larry Gatlin, who was a member of this church and currently worker as a janitor, to come up and sing a song he wrote. That song was Help Me and it had a major effect on Kris. Kris would later say, "It was what I guess you call a religious experience. I've never had one before or since. To this day I don't know why I did it. I think Jimmy sensed I didn't know what I was doing because he asked me if I was ready to be saved and I told him I didn't know. He put his hand on my shoulder and asked me to get down on my knees. There were a number of us kneeling and I don't remember what he was saying. It was something about freedom from guilt. All I can remember is that I broke into tears. I was weeping and when it was over I felt like I had been purged. I was carrying a lot of guilt at that time. I felt I had disappointed my family, my friends, my ancestors and everybody that knew me. So I wrote that song [Why Me Lord]." Because of the effect this song had on Kris, Kris recorded the song as a duet with Larry Gatlin on his 1972 album, Jesus Was a Capricorn. Kris later talked about this saying, "I did it because I loved the song and was so grateful for the effect it had on me. To further demonstrate my gratitude, I put it on the B-side of my single Why Me instead of one of my own, giving Larry mechanical royalties on the biggest single I ever had. Payback!"

This followed by Rex Allen with his recording of Sleep Little Moses. This song comes from his 1959 album, Mister Cowboy. As well as my fellow country music fans, my fellow movie buffs might also know Rex Allen. Like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, Rex had starred in some singing cowboy B westerns in the 1950's. However today his movie career might be best remembered by Disney buffs for narrating such Disney films as The Legend of Lobo (1962), The Incredible Journey (1963) and Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar (1967). He also narrated the Hanna-Barbera feature film, Charolette's Web (1973). 

Personal Jesus is an example of how a song can take on a meaning to a listener that the author did not intend. Johnny Cash said that this was a song he wished that he had wrote. He felt it summarized perfectly man's relationship with God. That Jesus is always willing to forgive and have a relationship with anyone who desires to know him. Yet this when Martin Gore had originally wrote this song, he did not intend it to be actually about the Christian faith. He wrote it after having read Pricillia Presley's book Elvis and Me. Gore would state, "It's a song about being a Jesus for somebody else. It's about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships." 

Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. This hymn began with a man named Anthony Showalter. As a fan of gospel music and an elder in a Presbyterian church, he held many "singing schools" at various churches in the south. One day he received two letters from former students who were struggling after their wives had passed. To respond to these letters, Showalter consulted scripture. He came across Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." After reading this verse lyrics for a song chorus went through his head and he wrote down, "“Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” After using this in the letters to his former students he sent this chorus to his friend hymnist, Elisha Hoffman. In the letter he also wrote, “Here is the chorus for a good hymn from Deuteronomy 33:27, but I can’t come up with the verses.” Hoffman then wrote the rest of the lyrics to which Showalter put to music. The hymn was published in 1887.

Today's musical selection ends with The Charlie Daniels Band with Awesome God.

Today's movie trailer is The Far Country (1954). This was the fourth of the great series of western films that director Anothony Mann and actor James Stewart made together. Despite having made so many Westerns together though the biggest hit the two collaborated on was the musical biopic, The Glenn Miller Story (1954). The three westerns the two made before this film were Winchester '73 (1950), Bend of the River (1952) and The Naked Spur (1953). The two made one more western together, The Man from Laramie (1955). They were set to make Night Passage (1957) together, but Mann was replaced as the director. 

If you have trouble reading the contempary review of The Far Country click on the page below and use your touch screen to zoom in. 

Motion Picture Daily, 1955

Now for a sermon by S.M. Lockridge.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. Luke 3:8

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25

 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:12

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Thanks for joining me. There will be no Cowboy Church post for the next two weeks, because I will be on a trip to Israel with my church. However when I get back, these weekly posts will soon continue. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

The Man Called Cash by Steve Turner

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-leaning-on-the-everlasting-arms

Cowboy Church #183

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording with Rounded Up in Glory.

This is followed by Loretta Lynn with He's Got the Whole World in His Hands.  It is unknown who exactly wrote this song because it had been passed down through oral tradition long before it was ever published. However we do know that it was first published in 1927 in a Hymnal titled  Spirituals Triumphant, Old and New. In 1933 Frank Warner, a folk art collector and singer, heard Sue Thomas sing this in North Carolina. Frank Warner then preformed and introduced this song throughout the U.S.A. In 1941 Robert Sonkin recorded a version of this wonderful hymn. This version of the song comes from Lorretta's 1968 album, The Gospel Spirit. 

Now for Randy Travis with Open the Eyes of My Heart. 

Next is Guy Penrod with Nothing But the Blood of Jesus. This hymn was written by Robert Lowry who wrote more than 500 hymns. About his hymn writing Lowry stated “Music, with me has been a side issue… I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative audience than write a hymn. I have always looked upon myself as a preacher and felt a sort of depreciation when I began to be known more as a composer.” 

Afterwards is Kris Kristofferson with They Killed Him. This song (written by Kris) pays tribute to three heroes of Kris. Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr. and our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. It is a shame that in this world, people who preach a message of love can often get killed for doing it. As Christians though love for others should be a major priority. After all God us love and it is through love that we can best see him.  Despite Kris writing this song he was not the first to record it. Kris would record the song in 1986, but Johnny Cash had already recorded it in 1984. In 1986 Bob Dylan also recorded the song for his Knocked Out Loaded album. 

Next Gene Autry sings the cowboy gospel classic The Last Roundup in a clip from the movie, The Last Round Up (1947). This isn't the first time he recorded this song. He made a studio recording of it on October 9, 1933. Though the song had previously appeared in Ziegfield Follies of 1933, it was Gene's recording that made this a cowboy music standard. He would also sing it again in the movie The Singing Hill (1941). With how popular this song was for Gene, it is no surprise that it would become the title tune for one of his movies. This song was written by Tin Pan Alley songwriter Billy Hill. Billy Hill had also written the cowboy music standard, Empty Saddles which was recorded by such great artists as Bing Crosby, Sons of the Pioneers, Roy Rogers, Dean Martin, Sons of the San Joaquin and even Gene himself. 

Now for Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing, It is No Secret. This song was written by cowboy singer and actor Stuart Hamblen. Before turning to God, this man's life could hardly be considered Godly. He often drank and fought and this often landed him in jail. When in 1949 Hamblin went to a Billy Graham crusade, he turned his life over to God. The drinking and fighting were put behind him and his whole life changing. One day he was talking about this change to his good friend John Wayne (yes that John Wayne) and that it was no secret what God had done for him. John Wayne said, that he should write a song with those lyrics.  Stuart Hamblen had also had a brief movie career and appeared in the Roy Rogers movie, The Arizona Kid (1939).

Today's musical selection ends with Alan Jackson singing Standing on the Promises of God. This hymn was written by Russell Carter in 1886. Working as a sheep herder he developed a heart condition. This led him to pray much more often, and he began to get closer to God every day. When he was healed, he vowed to "stand on the promises of God" and wrote this song. 

Today's movie trailer is for the wonderful Howard Hawks western, Rio Bravo (1959). This film has a fantastic cast including John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, Ward Bond and Walter Brennen and has rightful gone down in film history as a truly great western. For cowboy music fans, this movie features the wonderful song, My Riffle, My Pony and Me which is sung as a duet between Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson. This film has become a favorite of many great filmmakers with Quention Tarantino even once stating that if his date didn't like this movie there will be no relationship. 

The following is a 1959 article from American Cinematographer, talking about the cinematography for Rio Bravo. If you have any trouble reading it click on the pages and use your touch screen to zoom in.  

Next is a short message from the Rev. Billy Graham.

Better to be a poor person who has integrity than to be rich and double-dealing. Proverbs 28:6

Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. Proverbs 28:27

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

Public Cowboy no. 1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry by Holly George-Warren

https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/nothing-but-the-blood/#.Yucz4mPMK3A

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

 

Cowboy Church #180

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jesus in the Morning. There is no better way to start your day than by talking to and praising Jesus. If you do this, it has a tendency to make a good day even better and a bad day much easier to make it through. 

This is followed by Don Gibson with his 1958 recording of Where No One Stands Alone. Singing background vocals here are the Jordanaires. This is a group that Elvis fans will be very familiar with as they backed him up on some of his finest gospel and pop recordings. The group would later remember that after performing Peace in the Valley on the Eddy Arnold Show in 1954, a young man approached them saying, "If I ever get a recording contract with a major company, I want you guys to back me up." That young man was Elvis Presley. Hearing this kind of thing often, the group assumed they would never hear from Elvis again, but they certainly did. 

  Next is Randy Travis with O How I Love Jesus. This is a song that shows us how something beautiful can come out of something tragic. This song was written in 1925 by John Braselton Fillmore and came out of the death of his son three years earlier at the age of five. John would later state, "’Precious Memories’ was born in the midnight hours as I bathed by pillow with tears, likewise all my songs came through life’s severest tests.” Even though this song was and is one of the most popular hymns, Fillmore lived his life as a poor janitor struggling to get by. He would only get $36 for writing this song, not even much for the 1920's. 

Afterwards comes Gene Autry's 1946 recording of When it's Roundup Time in Heaven. 

Then comes The Gatlin Brothers with I Have Not Been About My Father's Business. Christianity should not be something passive that we believe in and do nothing with. Instead it is something we should be living each day from when we wake up to when we go to sleep. 

Now we join everybody's favorite hippie/cowboy Willie Nelson with Can't Have Your Hate and Jesus. This wonderful song comes from Willie's 1994 gospel album, Peace in the Valley. About singing gospel music Willie has stated “I don’t ever remember not playing and singing gospel music. My grandparents were music teachers and they were gospel singers. The first music that I heard was gospel music, so it’s not that unusual that I would be so much into it.”

Next comes Johnny Cash singing Let the Lower Lights Be Burning. In the notes for the box set Unearthed, John wrote, "This is a very special song for me, and I'll tell you what it means to me now. When my father was dying, he was in a coma, and all my brothers and sisters and I were gathered around the bed, and we felt like telling him goodbye. But my oldest sister Louise said, 'Let's sing to him.' So we started singing 'Let the Lower Lights be Burning.' At some point I looked at him and, though he had been sound asleep in a coma for days, his lips started moving and he started singing that song along with us. The more we would sing it the more he sang. And he opened his eyes and he looked around at us as we were singing. Ad of course everybody had a good cry as watched him and listened to him as he sang 'Let the Lower Lights be Burning' with us."

Today's musical selection ends with a favorite of mine to use on these posts, The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. This hymn began with a man named Anthony Showalter. As a fan of gospel music and an elder in a Presbyterian church, he held many "singing schools" at various churches in the south. One day he received two letters from former students who were struggling after their wives had passed. To respond to these letters, Showalter consulted scripture. He came across Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." After reading this verse lyrics for a song chorus went through his head and he wrote down, "“Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” After using this in the letters to his former students he sent this chorus to his friend hymnist, Elisha Hoffman. In the letter he also wrote, “Here is the chorus for a good hymn from Deuteronomy 33:27, but I can’t come up with the verses.” Hoffman then wrote the rest of the lyrics to which Showalter put to music. The hymn was published in 1887.

Today's trailer is for an all time classic from the great director George Stevens, Shane (1953). Before becoming a director, George Stevens had worked as a cinematographer at Hal Roach Studios working on many Laurel and Hardy films and other classic comedy shorts. 

Paramount World, 1958

Now for the C.S. Lewis essay, Evil and God.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  Colossians 3:23-24

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4 

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

 For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. Deuteronomy 20:4

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another selection of classic cartoons. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

https://stillisstillmoving.com/willienelson/willie-nelson-album-peace-in-the-valley-re-released/

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

http://www.jordanaires.net/about/us.htm

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-leaning-on-the-everlasting-arms

Johnny Cash: Unearthed Box Set 

Cowboy Church #178

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with The Lord is Gonna Take Good Care of You. This recording is the B-side of a 1955 Little Golden Record made by Roy and Dale (the A-side was Jesus Loves the Little Children). 

Next comes Randy Travis with a song that has become a staple at many Christian churches today, Here I am to Worship. The song was written by Tim Hughes, a worship leader in Britian. As well as being a worship leader and an ordained minister, he has also released six worship albums, the first of which was titled, Here I am to Worship and introduced this great song.  

This is followed by Lynn Anderson singing Put Your Hand in the Hand. This song was written by Gene MacMellan. Music fans would have first heard this song when Anne Murray recorded it for her 1970 album, Honey, Wheat and Laughter (MacMellan had also written Murray's signature song, Snowbird). Yet it became a major hit when the rock band Ocean recorded it in 1971. Ocean was not a Christian band and felt no strong connection with the message of this song. Because of this they were hesitant to record the song, because people might misunderstand what kind of band they were. They did record the song and many people did view them as gospel band much to their dismay. After this version became a major hit, many other recorded the song including Elvis Presley, Joan Beaz, Johnny Cash, Tennesse Ernie Ford and even Bing Crosby. Lynn Anderson's version is one of my favorite recordings of this song and appeared on her 1971 album, You're My Man. 

Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Power in the Blood. This recording is to me a perfect gospel recording. Gospel means "good news" and therefore it only makes sense for gospel to be a joyous genre and this wonderful recording executes joy at every turn. When I am down this version of this classic hymns always picks me up. I may use this quite a bit on these Cowboy Church posts, but there is completely a reason for that.

Then comes Barbera Mandrell with I Love to Tell the Story. When recovering from a sickness, Arabella Katherine Hankey wrote a poem about the life of Christ. This poem was broken into two parts the first being called The Story Wanted (published in January, 1866) and the second called The Story Told (published in November, 1866). I Love to Tell the Story comes from this second part. In 1869 William G. Fisher put this text to music and that is the version we know today. Still it is worth noting that Hankey wrote her own music for these words, but her music was seldom used and is now forgotten. 

Afterwards comes The Gatlin Brothers with It is Well With My Soul. Though this is a hymn of hope and peace it was written in a time of great sadness. The song was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. He had planned a European trip for himself, his wife and four daughters, however because of his work he was unable to go, and he let his family go without him and after he finished his work, he would meet them there. However, the ship was hit and quickly sank. Though his wife was saved all four of his daughters had gone down with the ship. Amazingly he wrote this hymn when approaching an area near where his daughters had sunk.

We continue with The Statler Brothers with Less of Me. This song comes from their 1969 gospel album, Oh Happy Day and was written by none other than Glen Campbell.  

Today's musical selection ends with The Carter Family with their 1937 recording of Hold Fast to the Right. 

Today's movie trailer is a classic John Ford directed film starring John Wayne and Henry Fonda, Fort Apache (1948). This movie also features a more grown-up Shirley Temple. I am different from many people as these more grown-up movies were my introduction to Shirley Temple. This film along with She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) and Rio Grande (1950) made up John Ford's cavalry trilogy. 

Radio Flash, 1948

Next comes the C.S. Lewis essay, Myth Becomes Fact.

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. Proverbs 12:20

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4 

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand. Isaiah 14:24

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  Colossians 3:23-24

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Cowboy Church #176

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Heavenly Airplane. This song was written by Bob Nolan, one of the group's founding members and one of my favorite songwriters. As well as writing this song, Bob also sings lead. Also in the group at this time was Leonard Syle, who would later become known as Roy Rogers. This was towards the end of his time as a member of The Sons of the Pioneers. He would leave the band with dreams of movie stardom and dreams that he certainly would reach. Roy would later write, "Seventy-five dollars a week, each and every week! That's what Republic agreed to pay me for the next seven years. I was sitting on the top of the world. Before I signed, I had to wrangle out of the contract the Sons of the Pioneers had only recently signed with Columbia Pictures. Actually that was easy. Harry Cohn the studio boss, was happy to release me so long as I promised to find someone to replace me in the group. His decision made my move to Republic possible, and also underscored why I wanted to be at Republic rather than Columbia. I would have been just another cowboy singer at Gower Gluch - easily replaceable - rather than the potential leading man the way they were talking at Republic. Besides Republic made the best most action packed westerns in those days." To replace him in the Sons of the Pioneers, Roy got Pat Brady, who would later become his "comical sidekick" on Roy's TV show. There was no hard feelings between Roy and the Sons of the Pioneers. Though Roy was no longer a member of the group, they would appear together in many films and record many songs together. This is followed by Charlie Rich with Amazing Grace. This hymn was written by John Newton in 1772. It is no coincidence that John Newton wrote this hymn, as he was someone who badly needed God's grace. Looking at his life before he gave it to God, there is not much to find that is admirable and in fact some of what we see is downright horrific. He played a part in one of the darkest (if not the darkest) parts of American history. He was a slave trader. To say that slavery in the United States was a tragedy and a horrible part of our history is an incredible understatement, and this man was a part of that horrific system. Later he even admitted that he treated the human beings that he was bringing over harshly. If there is anyone, we in our humanness would think is beyond God to reach it would be this guy. Yet God did reach him and being God completely changed him. He not only abandoned his job, but he gave his life to God's ministry and helped fight slavery every step of the way. If God could do this with him who is to say that any of us or anyone we know could possibly be out of God's power to reach. Next comes the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet with There's Power in the Blood. This song was written in 1889 by Lewis Edgar Jones while at a camp meeting taking place at Mountain Lake Park, MD. This is followed by George Jones with Give Me Just One Day. We only have so much time on this Earth and none of us know how long we will be here. Therefore it is important for us to let God use us any way he can, during our time on Earth. Now for Randy Travis with Precious Memories. Though this is a sweet uplifting song, it was based upon a tragedy. In 1922, John Wright lost his five year old son. Wright would later say about this song, “’Precious Memories’ was born in the midnight hours as I bathed by pillow with tears, likewise all my songs came through life’s severest tests.” Though this is a very famous hymn, John Wright only received $36 for writing it. He would remain a janitor that was always struggling to make ends meet for his entire life. Next comes The Charlie Daniels Band with Jesus Died For Me. This song cam from their first gospel album, The Door.  In his memoir, Never Look at the Empty Seats, Charlie Daniels wrote, "I think the most pressure I was ever under as a songwriter was when I wrote the songs for our first gospel album, The Door. It was such a special project to me. I wanted it to be much more than just another gospel album. I wanted the lyrics to have impact and hopefully speak to some of the people who, like me, had such a hard time understanding the gospel message and were falling through the cracks." Charlie worked very hard on each song and rewrote some multiple times. The effort paid off. This fantastic 1994 album shows The Charlie Daniels Band at their best and it won them their first Dove Award. Next we join the Maddox Brothers and Rose for their 1949 recording of the southern gospel classic I’ll Fly Away. This song was written by  Albert Edward Brumley and was first published in 1932. He grew up in Oklahoma and when he wrote this song he was living in Rock Island, Oklahoma where he was helping his family plant and pick cotton. This was hard and grueling work and Brumley later admitted, “Actually, I was dreaming of flying away from that cotton field when I wrote ‘I’ll Fly Away.’” Today’s musical selection ends with Roy Rogers singing Peace in the Valley. he hymn was written by Thomas A. Dorsey who later explained the origins of this song, “Peace in the Valley,” “It was just before Hitler sent his war chariots into Western Europe in the late 1930s. I was on a train going through southern Indiana and saw horses, cows and sheep all grazing together in this little valley. Everything seemed so peaceful. It made me question, “What’s the matter with mankind? Why can’t men live in peace?” Out of those thoughts came “Peace in the Valley.” 

Now for a discussion of the classic western, 7 Men From Now (1956).

Motion Picture Daily, 1956

Now a message from Pastor Greg Laurie. 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:24-25

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

Happy Trails: Our Life Story by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. 

http://www.trialanderrorcollective.com/collective-collab-blogs--playlists/ill-fly-away-a-brief-history-of-the-quintessential-gospel-song-and-ten-great-renditions

https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/peace-in-the-valley/#.YmbFre3MK3A

Video Link: Gene Autry - Texans Never Cry (from Texans Never Cry (1951))

Video Link: Roy Rogers 'Under California Stars' (From Under California Stars (1948))

Video Link: Gene Autry - Be Honest With Me (from Ridin' on a Rainbow 1941)

Video Link: Gene Autry - A Heart as Big As Texas (from Night Stage to Galveston 1952)

Video Link: Gene Autry - Little Old Band of Gold (Shooting High 1940)

Silent Film of the Month: Tumbleweeds (1925)

 

Runtime: 78 Minutes. Studio: William S. Hart Productions. Director: King Baggot. Writer:  Hal G. Evarts. Based on a story by C. Gardner Sullivan. Main Cast: William S. Hart, Barbara Bedford,  Lucien Littlefield, J. Gordon Russell.  Producer: William S. Hart. Cinematographer: Joseph H. August. 

It seems to me that too often even silent film buffs tend to overlook silent westerns, as much of the focus tends to be on silent comedy and more artsy movies. This is unfortunate as westerns played a major role in the movies during the silent era and some of the cowboy stars were some of the most popular actors of the time. Possibly the best of the silent cowboy stars is William S. Hart. Like John Wayne did later, William S. Hart helped define what a movie cowboy was. For those who think that all westerns before Stagecoach (1939) were corny and very light hearted, watching Hart's films will be surprised by how dark and serious these films can get. Yet at the same time the films are exciting, gripping and a lot of fun to watch. Tumbleweeds marks not only Hart's western but the last movie he ever made. It is appropriate that it is often considered one of his best and it is nice to see a screen legend going out at the top of their game. 

Motion Picture World, 1926

This movie depicts the Cherokee Strip land rush of 1893. The title comes from what cowboy's like our hero, Don Carver (William S. Hart) call themselves. Since they are ramblers by nature they refer to themselves as tumbleweeds. Don a firm believer in this life style prefers the animals in his prairie over the greedy landgrabbers who are to come. Accompanied by his sidekick, Kentucky Rose (Lucien Littlefield), he rides to town to get information on the coming landgrabbers. It is here that Kentucky falls for a widow (Lillian Leighton) with three children. While Kentucky is wondering if he has been thinking wrongly about the life of a homesteader, Don just wants to get back to his cows. Yet he acknowledges himself that the way of life he dearly loves is fading away, stating (via intertitle) "Boys, it's the end of the West." Still he adamantly refuses to settle down. However this changes when he falls in love with a woman named Molly Lassiter (Barbara Bedford). He is torn between the woman he loves and the way of life that is so dear to him. This proves to not be the end of his troubles as the hostility of the land rush only increases in violence and deadly danger. 

This is truly one of William S. Hart's best films. Everything about this movie works. The romance is well developed and completely believable, the action scenes are tense and exciting, the comedy is funny and best of all the story is mature and is as gripping as it must have been in 1925. This is also an incredibly beautiful looking movie. William S. Hart was an old west history buff himself and sought to put as much effort as possible to make his films look and feel like the old west. This truly pays off here because there are so many small little details that don't need to be there but still make all the difference. Though much credit needs to go to director King Baggot and cinematographer Joseph H. August. They put so much care into each shot of the film and it shows. Every shot is a stand alone piece of art that deserves to hang in a cinema museum. Both the intimate and the epic scenes are equally well captured. In fact the climatic action scene has such a strong epic feel that I could not take my eyes off the screen. Though many technical advancements have been made since 1925, this scene still stands up perfectly today.  Adding to this is that the story is told so passionately. While not as dark as Hell's Hinges (1916), there is some truly mature and sophisticated storytelling here that stands above those of much of the movies the other cowboy stars were making at this time. Simply put this is a true gem and holds its own against many of the more famous later western films. 

As great as William S. Hart is, attention should be given to the supporting cast, who do an equally fine job in this picture. Comedic sidekicks to the hero are a staple of movie westerns, and Lucien Littlefield does an excellent job in this role. He provides some truly funny moments and does so with an easy going charm that I find hard to resist. Littlefield began his movie career in the silent area often playing comedic supporting roles like this one. Silent comedy fans might recognize him from the Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle feature Leap Year (1921). His career stretched all the way into the 1950's. Movie fans will probably best recognize him as the veterinarian who examines Ollie in one of Laurel and Hardy's most popular features, Sons of the Desert (1933). His love interest Lillian Leighton mostly worked in supporting roles but still had quite a career in the movies. She had been in Cecil B. DeMille's Male and Female (1919), the Jackie Coogan vehicle Peck's Bad Boy (1921), Greta Garbo's American movie debut Torrent and the Harold Lloyd talkie Feet First  (1930). Hart's love interest, Barbera Bedford's career would also reach well into the sound era, but by the mid-1930's she was mostly appearing in uncredited roles.  Her silent film credits include, Tom Mix in Arabia (1922), The Last of the Mohicans (1920), Arabian Love (1922), and Souls For Sale (1923).  

The following are exhibitor's reviews from The Exhibitor's Herald, "TUMBLEWEEDS: William S. Hart—As I live in Oklahoma, and can remember back when the strip was opened for settlement, I think Mr. Hart has done a good job in making an early day picture. Had a nice run and did not have to split the velvet with the Co. Seven reels. -C.A. Kelly, Rex Theatre, Custer City, Okla. - Small Town Patronage." "Tumbleweeds: William S. Hart - Here is a real picture. One worth while. Everyone enjoyed it. Good action, historical and will draw well. One of the best we have shown this year. Ten and thirty-five. -James Moffitt, Auditorium theatre, Tampa, Kan., Small Town Patronage." "TUMBLEWEEDS: William S. Hart - Good. Above Par. 'Tumbleweeds' though old, is an excellent Hart picture. It pleased all and made us money. Print we drew was all torn up. Unless you are assured of a good print, lay off it. -Stoddard Bros., Rex Theatre, Madisonville, Tex. - General Patronage." 

The Film Daily, 1926

This movie can be seen on YouTube. This version below comes from a 1939 re-issue of the film. It features a spoken introduction of William S. Hart. You will find that he actually had a great speaking voice and vocal delivery. It may make you wish he made talkie movies as well.