Horses in Films

[Koyote]

HORSES in FILMS

In Los Angeles, I grew up with television from the late 40's and 50's. One of the main sources of programming were western movies and the TV shows that followed. Probably the biggest stars were Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy and of course, the Duke himself, John Wayne. Many stars owned their own horses, while some had their studio rent them from a local livery stable.
The best known horses were Trigger, Champion and Topper, but did you know that Trigger's original registered name was Golden Cloud? In the movie Adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland is seen riding Golden Cloud, a beautiful Palomino. Roy Rogers was on the set, saw Golden Cloud and soon purchased him. Gabby Hayes (who did not learn to ride until he was 40, became famous as side kick to John Wayne, Roy Rogers and others) suggested a name change and that is how Trigger came to be.
Gene Autry, the singing cowboy and only person with five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame also had a famous horse. His name was Champion, a Palomino. Later, Autry went on to ride Champion Jr., but these horses were not related. I was fortunate enough to see another Palomino, Loco by name, ridden by Leo Carillo (Pancho in the Cisco Kid series) in a Hollywood parade. Loco's tail was brushed and groomed so that it almost touched the ground. Loco was outfitted with a very expensive, flashy and beautiful silver saddle. By the way, Duncan Reynaldo who played the Cisco Kid was born in Romania.
William Boyd who played Hopalong Cassidy was a silent film star and leading man, but was probably most popular in the early 50's on television while riding a beautiful white horse he called Topper.
John Wayne was rarely identified with one famous specific horse, but rode different horses in his many movies, among which were, Dollor (sic), Banner and Steel.
White horses were popular with many stars as Buck Jones rode a horse by the name of Silver, Ken Maynard rode Tarzan, Buster (Flash Gordon) Crabbe rode Falcon and White Flash was ridden by Tex Ritter, who also sang the theme song for the movie High Noon.
Another famous white horse and also named Silver, was the one ridden by the Lone Ranger. Many horses were so valuable and identified with their stars who rode them that they had stunt doubles. Silver's doubles included one who was good at rearing up on his hind legs. Another was a more docile one who could be around people and ridden in parades and a third which was ridden in filming of the series. However, none of the “Ranger's” horses were particularly fast as Jay Silverheels' horse Scout was faster and “Tonto” had to rein him in when racing alongside Silver. The stunt double Traveler was also used as the “Trojan Horse” during USC football games.
There are many other unsung heroes who carried their riders in person, on stage and screen. Let's not forget their acting was just as important or else the human stars would never have gotten anywhere. While one could not pick him out of a crowd, an interesting horse was the one ridden by Richard Boone who played in the series, Have Gun Will Travel. His name was Rafter.

KIR RICH

[markiver54]

And then there was ' Tornado ' ,the horse ridden by Zorro.

[Vaquero]

WOW!

RP

[Vaquero]

Always liked the App. that John Wayne rode in Eldorado.

RP

[Stray Cat]

I saw True Grit a week ago, I had forgotten Glen Campbell could handle a horse pretty well too...didn't see him wearing any rhinestones though

[Sir Henry]

Trigger even has a Wikipedia page.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigger_(horse)

[RanchRoper]

Dale Evans had to pull up a little on Buttermilk because her horse was faster than Trigger. Can’t have that on screen.

I was in a saddle shop years ago in Laramie and the guy had one of Hopalong Cassidy’s saddles in the back. He was restoring it for a museum. Cool to see.

[Rifletom]

That horse in "Cat Ballou" paired with Lee Marvin was my favorite. What a duo!

[Ozarkwoodswalker]

I admire people that are good with horses. They together can do some amazing stuff. I am not one of those people and pretty much dispise horses. As my brother-in-law used to say. I would rather walk and carry a tire as to ride a darn horse. That being said .. its a personal problem of mine i realize. The county would never have been settled and mankind advanced as far as he had without the help of the horse. I am just thankful I cane along late enough to be able to use the internal combustion engine instead.

[markiver54]

Horses are no longer intended for transportation.

[RanchRoper]

Don't forget Alberta's wonder horse....Badger....this is the only trick he knows.

IMG_1382.JPG (105.53 KiB) Viewed 1624 times

[CT_Shooter]

Don't forget Alberta's wonder horse....Badger....this is the only trick he knows.

[BigAl52]

You guys left out Mister Ed. He was always one of my favorites.

[Koyote]

And then there was ' Tornado ' ,the horse ridden by Zorro.

I collected info on many other cowboys and their horses, but it is about three pages long. Wasn't sure if that would be allowed. Yes, Zorro is on my list:
Guy Williams as Zorro (TV) : Tornado (black horse), Phantom (white horse, real name Dynamite). Daisey the mule was also a regular on the show.
If anyone wants info on a certain horse/cowboy, just ask and if I have it, I will answer.

[RanchRoper]

Tom Mix and Tony are two of my favorites.

[runnin n gunnin]

Great post with the mounts we grew up with.

I think Badger was commenting on the Election RR ! I always like the pictures you post of yourself and your mount.

This was my mount Trooper. Juice Newton got in trouble with the IRS and had to let her husbands polo horse go for pennies on the dollar. He was a great mount.

I have to disagree markiver54, the way we are going we may very well be going back to the original horse power !

This was Trooper, soft mouth, smooth stride, sure hoofed.

Trooper crossing the creek.jpg (182.41 KiB) Viewed 1592 times

[RanchRoper]

Trooper’s look in’ good. You ride with a long stirrup and straight legs, old timey drover style in their slick fork saddles.

[runnin n gunnin]

You have a keen eye RR, and are a true horseman !

[RanchRoper]

That’s how I ride too. Just feels right.

[RanchRoper]

The horse Selleck rides in Quigley was gifted to him by the producers after the film. Selleck liked the horse so much. He had him for quite a few years too. I read an article years after the movie in Western Horseman and he was photographed with the horse at his avocado ranch home in California.