It is a shame that the name Andy Clyde is often only recognized by the staunchest film buffs. His movie career spanned over 3 decades and after that he continued to work on TV. In the silent era, he had been comedy producer Mack Sennett's "Man of a Thousand Faces" often appearing in different costumes and make up that make him almost unrecognizable. Because of this he often appeared in multiple roles in the same film. He eventually found himself playing an old man character that he would continue playing well into the talkie era. Mostly playing this character Andy made 79 comedy shorts for Columbia Pictures. Fans of B-Westerns make best recognize him for playing the character California Carlson in the Hopalong Cassidy B movies. Vintage TV fans might recognize him for playing George MacMichael on The Real McCoys and Cully Wilson on the Lassie TV series. He would also make many guest appearances as one-off characters on many classic TV westerns.
The following is a 1932 article from Modern Screen magazine about Andy Clyde. If you have any trouble reading, click on the pages and use your touch screen to zoom in. If you don't have a touch screen, click here.
Now enjoy a short film that Andy Clyde made for Columbia, Hot Paprika (1935).
The following is a review of Hot Paprika from a 1936 issue of The Philadelphia Exhibitor (Note: the review and the reviews that follow include spoilers so watch the film before reading).
"HOT PAPRIKA. Columbia. 18 m. This has few gags that aren't outrageously burlesqued. Result is silly, depending on Andy Clyde's ability to draw laughs by appearance and dumbness. Told by the doctor that he has three months to live, Andy determines to do so with zest. He travels; finds self in Republic of Paprika; is mistaken for 'ze rich Americano who finances ze revolution. From then on, Andy is caught between Federalists and Rebels; escapes government firing squad only through intervention through rebels; wins war accidentally with machine gun. Fair"
The following is a review from The Film Daily.
"Snappy Andy Clyde goes on a trip for his health to the Latin American republic of Paprika, where he runs afoul of the revolution, he gets himself in Dutch with the government troops. Andy is lined up against the wall before a firing squad, and escapes by a fluke and saves the day for the revolutionists. Thus he becomes a national hero. Good Andy Clyde technique in a yarn that has plenty of action and excitement and a pippy senorita for the sex angle. Directed by Preston Black."
The following is an exhibitor's review for the Motion Picture Herald.
"Hat Paprika: Andy Clyde - The funniest comedy we've played in months. Audience simply howled with delight. Running time, 19 minutes. - A.N. Miles, Eminence Theater, Eminence, Ky. Small Town Patronage."
Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.
With Christmas not being too far off, I am going to start incorporating Christmas music into these posts. First up is a favorite for me Roy Rogers singing Silent Night. This recording comes from 1940 and it is part of a session he did with The Jimmy Walley Trio where they recorded a few Christmas songs together.
Next comes Charley Pride with They Stood in Silent Prayer. This version of the song comes from Charley's 1970 Christmas album, Christmas in my Hometown.
Now for Tennessee Ernie Ford 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.
Afterwards comes Willie Nelson and his sister Bobbie Nelson (on piano) with Are You Washed in the Blood. This hymn was written by Elisha Albright Hoffman (Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, Glory to His Name) in 1878. It first appeared in his book, Spiritual Songs for Gospel Meetings and the Sunday School. Yet it was strangely dropped from later versions of this book. This version of this classic hymn comes from Willie and Bobbie's 1996 gospel album Just as I Am. This album consisted of hymns and gospel songs that the two have known and held dear to them since they were small kids.
Then comes The Carter Family with their 1932 recording of Church in the Wildwood. This hymn was written in 1857 by a music teacher named William S Pitts. On a stagecoach ride to meet his fiancé, he stopped in Bradford, Iowa. While there he took a long nature walk. Seeing an especially beautiful valley near Cedar River, he began to picture a church building here. The idea became engrained into his mind and even after he was back home in Wisconsin, he still couldn't stop thinking about it. He later stated that only after he had written this hymn, was he at peace with himself. In 1962 the songwriter and his now wife, had visited the spot and found a church right there, even the same color he mentioned in the song.
Now for Anne Wilson with O Holy Night. This hymn was written in 1847. The lyricist for the song was Placide Cappeau. Cappeau was a poet who rarely wrote about Christian subjects, however the local priest asked him to write a poem for Christmas mass. He didn't know what to write so he looked at the story of Jesus' birth in the book of Luke and tried to place himself there. He then asked his friend Adolphe Charles Adams (who had composed over 80 operas) to write some music. This hymn would gain controversy in France, when the church learned of its writers. Cappeau had left the church and joined the socialist party. Adams was not Christian, but rather Jewish. The idea that neither of the writers of a Christian hymn were in fact Christian, upset many church leaders. These church leaders denounced the song and deemed it not fit to sing in a church. Yet despite this the hymn was one of the most popular Christmas songs in France at the time.
Gene Autry continues the musical selection with his 1956 recording of Everyone's a Child at Christmas. This song was written by Johnny Marks, who also wrote Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, a song that Gene would help turn into a Christmas classic.
As today's musical selection ends, The Sons of the Pioneers ask the theological question, Will There be Sagebrush in Heaven in a classic 1947 recording.
Today's movie trailer for Hop-Along Cassidy (1935). This is the first of 66 films in which William Boyd, would play the famous cowboy character. The last of these films would be Strange Gamble (1948). To say this movie series became a major success is a huge understatement. Hop-Along Cassidy movies would become a sensation, capturing the hearts and imaginations of all red-blooded American boys. Though the character had existed since 1904 as the star of a series of books written by Clarence E. Mulford, from this point on the character would be associated mainly with William Boyd. As if playing the character in 66 movies wasn't enough Boyd also played the character in a radio show that ran from 1948 to 1952 and a TV series which ran from 1949 to 1952. Boyd's version of the character owed little to the book character. Boyd's version was much more clean living and a role model for young kids. Few of these movies, radio episodes and TV episodes borrowed anything from the books for story material.
If you have a hard time reading the following page, click on it and use your touch screen to zoom in.
The International Photographer, 1937
Now for a sermon from S.M. Lockridge.
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
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
Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah Psalm 3:8
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
But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:1-2
Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” Joshua 10:25
Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
For those of you who don't know, Lone Pine California has a popular filming spot for Hollywood movies since the silent era (for an idea of what films were shot here I direct you to this link). While a wide variety of movies have been shot, it has especially been a favorite spot for shooting westerns. Because of this each year, Lone Pine hosts a film festival of western movies. Because of Covid-19, the festival will be held online this year, but you still have to buy tickets. It will be held October 9-11th. If you get busy this is no trouble as all the films and interviews will be available all day, each day of the festival.
The list of films is as follows.
MACKINTOSH & T.J. (1975) with Roy Rogers
THREE ON THE TRAIL (1936) with Hopalong Cassidy
PHANTOM OF THE RANGE (1936) with Tom Tyler
GUNSMOKE RANCH (1937) with the Three Mesquiteers
HELLFIRE AUSTIN (1932) with Ken Maynard
DANGER TRAILS (1935) with Big Boy Williams
RIDERS OF THE FRONTIER (1939) with Tex Ritter
WEST OF NEVADA (1936) with Rex Bell
Special guests include: Cheryl Rogers Barnett (daughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans), Richard W. Bann, William Wellman Jr., Billy King (Hopalong Cassidy's 12 year old side kick in the movies), Stella Stevens, Geri Jewell, Diamond Fransworth.
For more information and to buy tickets click here.
Hello my friends and welcome to another service of Cowboy Church.
We begin our musical selection off with The Sons of the Pioneers' 1935 recording of When I Leave This World Behind. This was a Sons original written by the group's most prolific songwriter Bob Nolan. Bob puts a lot of great humor into this gospel song along with its message about heaven. At this time Leonard Slye later to rename himself Roy Rogers was still a member of the group. Next comes Roy Acuff's 1948 recording of Turn Your Radio On. Next comes a Charlie Daniels Band original, It's Happening Now, from their 1997 Christian album, Steel Witness. Just as much as Hank Williams recorded such toe-tapping upbeat gospel numbers like I Saw the Light or I'll Fly Away, he also recorded quite a few slower paced apocalyptic Christian songs like our next one, The Pale Horse and His Rider. Though this version of this song is from 1951 (on the Mother's Best radio show), the song was written by Johnnie Bailes (from the country-gospel group The Bailes Brothers) in 1939. This was not Hank's first recording of the song. He recorded it a year earlier with his wife Audrey. Though I like that version, I much prefer this solo version. The reason for that was not Audrey, but rather this version's slower pace and more sorrowful feel. Next comes Gene Autry singing Someone Bigger Than You or I in a clip from the feature film, The Old West (1952). Johnny Cash had wanted to be a gospel singer from the beginning. However when he worked at Sun Records, producer Sam Phillips had little interest in John recording gospel. Though he did get a few gospel songs recorded there, they were a rarity. When John moved to Columbia records, he wanted to record a full gospel album. His second album there was the fantastic 1959 album Hymns By Johnny Cash. One of the best songs on that album is the closing song for our musical selection today, The Old Account.
What could be a better endorsement for the Hop-a-Long Cassidy movies than one from a 12 year old in 1935. You can see this endorsement in the following page of a 1935 issue of Variety.
You can zoom in to get a better look. If it is still fuzzy click here.
Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4
Blessed is the one God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your god will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Thank you for joining me for another service of Cowboy Church come back next week for more. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
Hello my friends and welcome to another addition of Cowboy Church.
We start our musical selection off with The Sons of Pioneers 1937 recording of Heavenly Airplane. This is an original song written by the Son's own Bob Nolan. This song was from the last year Roy Rogers was a member of the group. Next comes Johnny Cash and Ray Charles with a duet of Kris Kristofferson's Why Me Lord. Next is Gene Autry singing The Angel Song in a clip from his Cinecolor feature film, The Strawberry Roan (1948). Gene co-wrote this song with Curt Massey and Mary Millard. After this comes Rex Allen's 1959 recording of Sleep Little Moses. This song came from his album Mister Cowboy. Next comes Hank Williams performing Thank God. This song was written by Hank's producer Fred Rose. Though Hank recorded this song in either 1948 or 1949, it would not be released until 1955, after Hank had passed away. This song does not feature his famous backing band, The Drifting Cowboys. Instead this is just Hank and his guitar. We end our musical selection with Loretta Lynn singing the gospel classic In The Garden.
Below is a 1935 advertisement from The Motion Picture Herald advertising the early HopaLong Cassidy movies. You may notice that this advertisement states that James Gleason will be playing Hopalong, instead of William Boyd. The part was originally offered to Gleason and various advertisements for the movie stated he would be in the title role. However when negotiations could not be worked out, the part would go to William Boyd who was originally offered the role of the lead villain.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13But 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 15:2God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Habakkuk 3:19
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10
Thanks for joining me for another service of Cowboy Church. Come back next week. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
