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We Could Use Another Gene Autry These Days
Cartersville isn't too far from Tallapoosa. It is the home to
a museum dedicated to minerals and rocks. Visiting the Etowah Indian Mounds in
the 10th grade gave me a deeper appreciation for the people who occupied this
area for thousands of years. Patrons of Johnny's biergarten on Alabama Street
know that their favorite beverage probably came from the huge facility in
Cartersville. My first visit to Cartersville was with Butch Henderson when we
were in high school. Butch and his family had moved to Tallapoosa from
Cartersville and he showed me landmarks like the 4-Way hamburger joint in the
downtown area. He showed me the area where General Sherman and his troops drove
on the march to Savannah and getting off I-75 to ask for directions to Atlanta
so he could burn it. The Purple Hurricanes are the teams of Cartersville High
School. To my knowledge a hurricane of any color never has hit Bartow County.
Cartersville has something of that I think you would enjoy. Especially those of
you who have a love for the Old West. the Booth Western Art Museum a couple of
blocks from the downtown center of Cartersville is a great day trip for you.
This museum is rich in not only stuff about cowboys and Indians but on the
heritage of our great nation. Original letters from the men who have served at
President of the United States are on display with an interesting view of the
individuals who have held the highest office in the land.
The Booth Western Art Museum recently held a salute to the life and times of
Gene Autry. Holly George-Warren was the guest lecturer on this recent night and
talked about Mr. Autry's films, television shows, recordings and business
ventures.
Gene Autry hit the silver screen in the early '30's after being discovered by
Will Rogers who never met a man he didn't like. He heard a young Gene Autry
singing for self amusement in a telegraph office where he worked. Will
Rogers brought him to Hollywood and the rest is deep into the lore of American
entertainment history.
Gene Autry has been a part of all of our holidays since the 1940's with the
classics "Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer" and "Here Comes Santa Claus".
"Back In The Saddle Again", "South of the Border", and "That Silver Haired Daddy
of Mine" are among the most successful recordings ever.
Gene Autry was a shrewd business man who built his own movie studio and was an
entertainment first in putting his name on merchandise like air rifles and
guitars from Sears-Roebuck. He interrupted his film career to serve in the
military during World War II. Roy Rogers and John Wayne were classified 4-F. His
passion for baseball led to ownership of the California Angels. He owned
numerous radio and television stations and his real estate investments made him
one of America's wealthiest men. Gene Autry's television shows were part of the
early days of the medium. You can still see him on his horse Champion along with
his sidekicks Smiley Burnett and Pat Buttram riding the trails and getting after
the bad guys. He was a consumate screen gentleman who treated women with respect
and had children look up to his set of values. Gene Autry was a screen hero that
packed theaters for years and years. America needed a Gene Autry to take the
focus off the Great Depression and an impending war.
Dear readers I am asking you, where are the heroes of Hollywood? Is there a role
model out there in 2008 who can be a shining example to everyone on how to live
life. The book "Public Cowboy No. 1" showed that Gene Autry was far from perfect
but his acumen on business and entertainment have rarely been matched. He gave
away millions and lent his name to various charities.
22 years ago my friend Ralph Wofford who lives in Fayette County and knew Gene
Autry along with many Western film stars. Ralph introduced me to Lash LaRue who
was a huge box office attraction particularly in the Southeastern states. My
cousin Joyce Meunier Owen was a member of his fan club in the '50's. Lash was a
hero because he did all his battles with the bad guys with a bull whip. How many
of you truly miss the cowboy movies of decades past?
We had heroes we could look up to then. I am afraid Hollywood will never produce
another Gene Autry or Roy Rogers.
Happy trails to you, until next week.
Rhubarb Jones is a Tallapoosa native and serves as Director of Special
Projects in the office of University Development and Distinguished Lecturer
in the Department of Communications of Kennesaw State University.
Jones can be reached at P. O. Box 1001, Tallapoosa, Ga., 30176 or via email
at
Rhubarbjones@aol.com
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