Monday, November 18, 2013

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans: Depicting Western History in Films


Be sure to enter today's giveaway!

Okay, okay, this can’t be historical because I, Nancy J Farrier, remember Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, his
horse, Trigger and his dog, Bullet. But, they represented the historical western in movies and books. A couple of weeks ago, when I was bike riding with my son-in-law, he pointed out the home where Roy Rogers and Dale Evans lived. I wondered about their story and thought you might be interested too.

Born November 5th, 1911, Leonard Franklin Slye, grew up in Ohio, and moved with his family to California in the late 1920’s. Rogers began his music career with his cousin, Stanley, when the pair played at square dances and local theaters. Rogers met Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer, who would later be part of the Sons of the Pioneers, but they began as the O-Bar-O Cowboys. They appeared in several motion pictures before Rogers caught his big break.

In his early film career, Rogers was known as Dick Weston, the name he used as he sang with the Sons of the Pioneers. He became Roy Rogers after being offered a seven-year film contract. In 1938, Rogers replace the well-known Gene Autry because of a contract dispute. The film, Under the Western Sky, became a major hit and Roger’s career took off. He did an average of seven “singing Westerns” every year until the early 1950’s. The rivalry between Autry and Roger’s boosted both of their careers.

Dale Evans, born October 31, 1912, in Texas, began singing on the radio before she starred in movies with Rogers. In 1944, the duo appeared in the movie, The Yellow Rose of Texas, and their chemistry appealed to audiences across the country. Evans became known as The Queen of the West, and sheHappy Trails to You.
wrote the well-known theme song,

On New Year’s Eve in 1947, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans married. Their fans were delighted with the charismatic couple. From 1944 to 1951 the couple appeared in almost 30 movies together. In the 1950’s, Rogers starred in The Roy Rogers Show, a popular television series, which costarred Dale Evans. The song, Happy Trails, became the theme song. In the early 1960’s, the show enjoyed a comeback as The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show.

Roy Rogers was known for his kindness and his caring for other people. He loved his fans so much that he attempted to answer every fan letter personally, even though the cost came out of his pocket since the studio refused to pay for stamps. He loved his audience.

Dale Evans also became an accomplished song writer and author, recording 30 children’s records. In 1953, she wrote the book, Angel Unaware, the story of their daughter Robin, who was born with Down’s Syndrome and died before her second birthday. Evans loved to share her faith in her songs and books. She and Rogers attended the Church of the Valley in Apple Valley, California.

Despite the hardships they faced—the death of three children, one an infant and two grown—Roy Rogers and Dale Evans lived their faith. They loved each other and they loved their audience. They delighted people of all ages with their acting, their music and their warm personalities.

I remember watching Roy Rogers and Dale Evans on television. Do you? Did your parents watch them? Of course, my favorite was Trigger, Roy’s horse, followed by a close second with Bullet, his dog. I’d love to hear your memories of this couple who portrayed our countries western history in many films.

This is the month to give thanks. I am so thankful to be part of this blog, and to have you readers. Please leave a comment to enter a drawing. I am giving away one of my books and a lovely Thanksgiving plaque to hang on the wall.




Nancy J Farrier is an award winning author who lives in Southern California in the Mojave Desert. She loves the Southwest and interesting historical past. Nancy and her husband have five children. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats, and spend time with her family. Nancy is represented by Karen Ball of The Steve Laube Literary Agency. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: www.nancyjfarrier.com.

20 comments:

  1. Nancy, I love your post! It brought back such wonderful memories. I watched Roy Rogers and Dale Evans as a child and I loved when they would end their show singing "Happy Trails to you, until we meet again........" Trigger was beautiful and I always wanted a horse that looked just like him. Roy and Dale were wonderful people. I ordered Dale's book some years back about their precious Robin. It is a beautiful story. Thank you, Nancy, for a taking me down memory lane.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Melanie, Thank you for your comments. I loved Trigger so much and wanted a horse like him too. I enjoyed researching this blog so much. They were wonderful people. Dale's book, Angel Unaware, was very touching.

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  2. I remember, just barely (I was very young!) the Roy Rogers show on TV. When I was in my teens I read Angel Unaware. A few years ago, my husband and I heard an oldies radio program starring Roy Rogers as the good guy. It was kind of a predictable plot with definite lines between the good guys and bad guys, but interesting. Roy Rogers always struck me as a very easy-going person.

    Thanks for the walk down memory lane, Nancy!


    derobin7 (at) gmail.com

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    1. Thank you, Robin. I used to read books based on Roy Rogers, Trigger and Bullet. I also saw the show in the 60's.

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  3. I think it's inspiring when a couple stays together through thick and thin. What sweet people they must have been. Looking forward to reading the book! Thanks for the giveaway!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you, Heidi. They were a wonderfully popular couple and both lived long lives.

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  4. The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans show was one of my childhood favorites. Thanks for sharing the history of his famous couple and for the sweet trip down memory lane.

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    1. Thank you, Ramona. Those westerns were so much fun back then.

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  5. I love westerns - such a great time in history - thanks for the great post - would love to win.
    truckredford(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. What a wonderful post about such a wonderful couple! I have heard my parents speak fondly of watching Roy Rogers and Dale Evans on television. Thank you for sharing their special history!!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  7. Hi Nancy! I have never seen any of Roy's and Dale's Tv shows (I'm only 37) but I have seen a couple of their movies. My mom grew up watching them so when I was in the 6th grade and had to do a book report on a non-fiction book, my mom suggested Angel Unaware. I had forgotten I'd read it until this post, but I remember it touching me-even at the young age of 12. I remember nothing about it really so I'll have to go borrow it from my mom the next time I go see her. Thanks for a great post and giving me little stroll-though a bit different from yours-down memory lane! And thanks for the chance to win Immigrant Brides - I've been wanting to read it since before it came out!
    kam110476 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  8. Nancy, I loved your posting. I remember seeing a couple of their TV shows. I would love to win your book. Looking forward to reading it. Thank you for the chance to win this giveaway and please enter my name.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. Congratulations, Eliza. You are the winner.

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  10. Your book and plaque sound nice. Cannot wait to read . I so love old fashioned couples and ways.
    Blessings
    Linda Finn
    faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com

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  11. Nancy... Your post was great... and if ever the world needed Roy Rogers (& Dale Evans), it's now! Google Roy Rogers Broadway and see what comes up.

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  12. I used to watch Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and loved it. I loved their singing and shows. I keep meaning to see the Roy Rogers museum out here in CA. It's off one of the major freeways on way to desert. Love to win your book, Immigrant Brides! sharon, ca wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. I had a huge crush on Roy Rogers when I was a kid. He was the same age as my dad but it didn't matter. Fun to read your article!

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  14. I sure loved watching Roy Rogers when I was growing up, and later. My mother loved him too, and got to meet him and Dale once at an Astro game that my older brother took them to. Such a thrill for her. Nancy, I would be very happy to win your book and placque. Thanks for the give-away. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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