Who is the King of the Cowboys?

As many of my fellow fans of old movies know there are two names that come up when the idea of a singing cowboy is brought up. These are of course Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. They were the kings of a certain type of movie that combined corny "B" western stories with fantastic country music. With this it seems like "Who is the king of the cowboys?" is a natural question. This question was put to the test by creating a double feature of two of the cowboys' films, Billy the Kid Returns (1938 with Roy Rogers) and Boots and Saddles (1937 with Gene Autry). The following was written in an issue of the Showman's Trade Review.


"Reproduced herewith is a newspaper layout used by Richard Peffley, city manager of Northio Theater in Fremont, Ohio to advertise a "Double-Western Jamboree" at the Strand Theatre. Peffley used the provocative question, "Who is the King of the Cowboys?" to draw attention to the program which featured Republic's Gene Autry and Roy Rogers in "Boots and Saddles" and "Billy the Kid Returns." The features were second run, but by doubling them and selling them as noted, past records were broken."


To see the page that this was written on, including the newspaper layout mentioned, click here.

The following was an exhibitors review for Billy the Kid Returns written for the Motion Picture Herald (dated November 5, 1938).

"Billy the Kid Returns: Roy Rodgers, Mary Hart, Smiley Burnette - Pretty good picture which played average business. Roy Rodgers will in time develop into a real draw. Played October 14-15 - E.M. Freiburger, Paramount theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small Town Patronage."

In with the old out with the new, an exhibitors review written directly below this on the same page for the Gene Autry movie Gold Mine in the Sky (written by S. Hanson from the Fox Theatre) stated, "Autry doesn't bring them in like he used to. Acting very poor. Singing only salvation."


The following was an exhibitors review of Boots and Saddles (dated May 7, 1938) for the Motion Picture Herald.


"Boots and Saddles: Gene Autry, Judith Allen, Ra Hould - not quite as much business on this one, but still way over the average. As do all the Autry pictures, this packs loads of entertainment. - C. E. Fismer, Lyric Theater, Hamilton, Ohio. General Patronage."

-Michael J. Ruhland