# 4449 - 2010 44c Cowboys of the Silver Screen - Gene Autry
Cowboys of the Silver Screen
Gene Autry
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Printing Method: Lithographed
Perforations: Serpentine Die Cut 10.5 x 10.75
Color: Multicolored
Birthday of Gene Autry
As a boy, Autry worked at his father’s ranch in addition to going to school. He left school in 1925 and found work as a telegrapher for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway.
In 1934, Autry was cast in the film In Old Santa Fe. He only had one scene, where he sang a song and called a square dance, but his next appearance was much more important – starring in the 12-chapter movie short The Phantom Empire.
The following year Autry starred in Tumbling Tumbleweeds, which made him a household name and ushered in the era of the “singing cowboy.” The movie introduced a successful formula where Autry played himself. With the help of his sidekick Smiley and his horse Champion, Autry tracked down the bad guys and brought them to justice.
Between 1950 and 1956, Autry hosted his own television program, The Gene Autry Show. He also partnered in a rodeo company and had his own comic strip. In 1952, Autry purchased a 110-acre ranch in California. He named it Melody Ranch, after his movie of the same name. Though he sold most of the ranch, he kept 12 acres to serve as a movie ranch. It’s still in operation today.
Cowboys of the Silver Screen
Gene Autry
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Printing Method: Lithographed
Perforations: Serpentine Die Cut 10.5 x 10.75
Color: Multicolored
Birthday of Gene Autry
As a boy, Autry worked at his father’s ranch in addition to going to school. He left school in 1925 and found work as a telegrapher for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway.
In 1934, Autry was cast in the film In Old Santa Fe. He only had one scene, where he sang a song and called a square dance, but his next appearance was much more important – starring in the 12-chapter movie short The Phantom Empire.
The following year Autry starred in Tumbling Tumbleweeds, which made him a household name and ushered in the era of the “singing cowboy.” The movie introduced a successful formula where Autry played himself. With the help of his sidekick Smiley and his horse Champion, Autry tracked down the bad guys and brought them to justice.
Between 1950 and 1956, Autry hosted his own television program, The Gene Autry Show. He also partnered in a rodeo company and had his own comic strip. In 1952, Autry purchased a 110-acre ranch in California. He named it Melody Ranch, after his movie of the same name. Though he sold most of the ranch, he kept 12 acres to serve as a movie ranch. It’s still in operation today.