Saturday matinee double features (the screening of two motion pictures for the price of one) were an industry standard in the first half of the 20th century. In 2012, the Autry National Center will return to this bygone era with its own Saturday matinee double features starring America's Favorite Singing Cowboy, Gene Autry. Two Autry films will be screened the first Saturday of every month in the Imagination Gallery's Western Legacy Theater beginning at noon. The double feature is free with museum admission.
"Singing Groups"
In Old Monterey (1939)
Republic Pictures (73 minutes)
On Top of Old Smoky (1953)
Columbia Pictures (60 minutes)
Gene Autry's Westerns are known for their music, comedy, and action. January's films each showcased a terrific singing group. The Hoosier Hotshots steal every scene with their comedic musical numbers in In Old Monterey, and the wonderful harmonies of the Cass County Boys are in the fan favorite On Top of Old Smoky.
"Comic Sidekicks"
Home in Wyomin' (1942)
Republic Pictures (68 minutes)
Twilight on the Rio Grande (1947)
Republic Pictures (71 minutes)
Gene Autry's Westerns are known for their music, comedy, and action. This month's films each feature funny and talented sidekicks of Gene Autry. Smiley Burnette brings his musical and physical humor to Home in Wyomin', and comedian Sterling Holloway provides the comic relief in Twilight on the Rio Grande.
"Action!"
Red River Valley (1936)
Republic Pictures (56 minutes)
Mule Train (1950)
Columbia Pictures (71 minutes)
Gene Autry's Westerns are known for their music, comedy, and action. Showcasing the thrilling action of Gene Autry Westerns, March's films include a rock avalanche, dynamite blasts, and fist fights in Red River Valley, and a wagon train chase, multiple explosions, and even more fights in Mule Train.
"Environmental Awareness"
Back in the Saddle (1941)
Republic Pictures (71 minutes)
Hills of Utah (1951)
Columbia Pictures (70 minutes)
Several of Gene Autry's musical B-Westerns addressed issues of the time that are still important today. April's films, Back in the Saddle and Hills of Utah, each feature a story line involving polluted water by copper mines.
"Cinco De Mayo"
Down Mexico Way (1941)
Republic Pictures (78 minutes)
The Big Sombrero (1949)
Columbia Pictures (Color; 80 minutes)
With a nod to Cinco de Mayo, both of this month's movies, Down Mexico Way and The Big Sombrero, take place south of the border and feature plenty of Gene Autry's trademark music, comedy, and action.
"Father's Day"
Melody Trail (1935)
Republic Pictures (60 minutes)
South of the Border (1939)
Republic Pictures (70 minutes)
In honor of Father's Day, this month's films find Gene Autry in the unlikely role of "Daddy." Both of these Republic Pictures films, Melody Trail and South of the Border, feature plot lines in which America's Favorite Singing Cowboy must sing lullabies to little ones!
"National Day of the Cowboy"
Guns and Guitars (1936)
Republic Pictures (58 minutes)
Riders in the Sky (1949)
Columbia Pictures (71 minutes)
In preparation for National Day of the Cowboy and Cowgirl later this month, July's movies feature Gene Autry at his cowboy best in Guns and Guitars and Riders in the Sky.
"Gene, Champion, & Little Champ"
Beyond the Purple Hills (1950)
Columbia Pictures (70 minutes)
The Old West (1950)
Columbia Pictures (71 minutes)
In August, Columbia Pictures films Beyond the Purple Hills and The Old West showcase Gene's famous horses Champion, known as the World's Wonder Horse, and Little Champ.
"Happy Birthday Gene!"
Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge (1937)
Republic Pictures (60 minutes)
Last of the Pony Riders (1953)
Columbia Pictures (59 minutes)
This month's movies honor Gene Autry's birthday which is September 29th. Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge is one of Gene's earlier films and Last of the Pony Riders is his last film. Both feature sidekick Smiley Burnette and have Gene singing his popular tune Sing Me a Song of the Saddle.
"Gene's Leading Ladies"
Rancho Grande (1940)
Republic Pictures (68 minutes)
Whirlwind (1951)
Columbia Pictures (71 minutes)
This month's features showcase Gene Autry's leading ladies. June Storey starred in ten B Westerns with Gene and is delightfully fun in Rancho Grande. Gail Davis, who starred in 14 features with Gene, is at her "tough girl" best in Whirlwind.
"Vote for Autry!"
Rovin' Tumbleweeds (1939)
Republic Pictures (63 minutes)
Melody Ranch (1940)
Republic Pictures (84 minutes)
You can "Vote for Autry," as this month's films find Gene Autry running for office. America's Favorite Singing Cowboy is elected to Congress in Rovin' Tumbleweeds, and in Melody Ranch he runs for the office of sheriff.
"Naughty and Nice List Kids!"
Prairie Moon (1938)
Republic Pictures (58 minutes)
The Cowboy and the Indians (1949)
Columbia Pictures (70 minutes)
This month you'll hear Gene on the radio with his holiday song Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) and December's films find Gene dealing with children both naughty and nice in Prairie Moon and The Cowboy and the Indians.
