The Western Hall of Fame
First Annual “Hoss Opera”
Olympic Auditorium, November 28, 1948.
• POSTER
• PROGRAM
•
THE SHOW
Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers were among the all-star cast of B-Western heroes, heroines, heavies and entertainers who donated their talents to initiate fundraising for a Western Hall of Fame museum.
The first meeting was held on Thursday, November 11, 1948 in the home of Roy Rogers and the crew was chosen: Tim Spencer (Chairman of the group planning), William "Wild Bill" Elliott (Secretary-Treasurer) and Russell Hayden (Director of Events). Among the committee members were Bob Nolan, Spade Cooley, Dale Evans, Monte Hale, Red Harper, Susie Hamblen, Doye O'Dell, Pat Starling, Glenn Strange, Max Terhune, Jimmy Wakely, Cindy Walker and Tex Williams. Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Charles Starrett, William Boyd, Andy Devine, Hoot Gibson and Stuart Hamblen were the advisory board and the Publicity Director was Don Hix.
The proposed museum would be the repository for mementos of Tom Mix, Will Rogers, William S. Hart, Buck Jones, Harry Carey, Dustin Farnum, Art Accord, Fred Thompson, etc. The purpose was to perpetuate the memory of those who have cleared the trail for all cowboys of screen, radio and recordings.
There were plans for a second benefit show in 1949 and then it fizzled out. The plans for a Western Hall of Fame museum, begun with such enthusiasm and hope, came to nothing.
The following photos were taken at the initial meeting and, thanks to the generosity of Fred Goodwin, we have the scripted events of that afternoon and evening performance.
Back: Tex Terry, Pat Starling, William "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd and Bob Nolan
Front: Roy Rogers, Dorothy Peters and Spade Cooley
Bob Nolan, Cindy Walker, Max Terhune and William Boyd
Russell Hayden, Tim Spencer, William Boyd and Roy Rogers
(p 158 Hear My Song)
Courtesy Theresa Sevigny Scott
POSTER
Framed poster from the Calin Coburn Collections ©2004
Standing: Tim Spencer, Tex Terry, Monte Hale, Pat Starling, Hoot Gibson, Russell Hayden, Bob Nolan, Pat Brady, Glenn Strange.
Kneeling: Mrs. Peters, Max Terhune, Jimmy Wakely, Cindy Walker, Roy Rogers, William "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd and Spade Cooley.
Courtesy of Fred Goodwin
Courtesy Theresa Sevigny Scott
Courtesy Theresa Sevigny Scott
Courtesy Theresa Sevigny Scott
STARS APPEARING AT THE WESTERN HALL OF FAME FIRST ANNUAL HOSS OPERA
(in alphabetical order)
Guest list courtesy of Fred Goodwin
Noah Beery Jr.
Johnny Bond
Adrian Booth
Lee Bonnell
Bill Boyd
Buff Brady
Rand Brooks
Broome Bos.
Reno Browne
Leo Carrillo
Ken Carson
Cass County Boys
Andy Clyde
Jerry Colonna
Spade Cooley
Tex Cooper
Ken Curtis
Eddie Dean
Andy Devine
Kenne Duncan
William Elliott
Dale Evans
Hoot Gibson
Stuart Hamblen
Red Harper
Raymond Hatton
Russell Hayden
Gabby Hayes
Allan “Rocky” Lane
Abe Lefton
Texas Jim Lewis
Emmett Lynn
Curt Massey
Montie Montana
Deacon Moore
Johnny Morgan
Bob Nolan
Doye O’Dell
Tex Owens
Andy Parker & The Plainsmen
Hank Penny
Duncan Renaldo
Riders of the Purple Sage
Jack Rivers
Red Rowe
Jimmy Rogers
Roy Rogers
Smokey Rogers
Fuzzy St. John
Sons of the Pioneers
Pat Starling
Charles Starrett
Bob Steele
Cliffie Stone
Gale Storm
Glenn “Pee Wee” Strange
Tennessee Ernie Ford
Max Terhune
Cannonball Taylor
Tex Terry
Bill Thompson
Chief Thundercloud
T. Texas Tyler
Cindy Walker
Tex Williams
Ray Whitley
Foy Willing
Harry von Zell
Courtesy of Fred Goodwin
