Gene always preferred his sponsor's product, Wrigley's Doublemint Gum, to smoking.

News Archive: 2011

Saturday Matinee Gene Autry Double Features
At the Autry National Center
Posted January 14, 2011

Saturday matinee double features (the screening of two motion pictures for the price of one) were an industry standard in the first half of the 20th century. In 2011, the Autry National Center will return to this bygone era with its own Saturday matinee double features starring America's Favorite Singing Cowboy, Gene Autry. Two Autry films will be screened the first Saturday of every month in the Imagination Gallery's Western Legacy Theater beginning at Noon. The double feature is free with museum admission.

Read about the Museum's Saturday Matinee Double Feature series here.

For the Museum's hours and admission, visit their website here.

For membership information, read more here.

Saturday, January 1st

"Gene Autry Firsts"

Tumbling Tumbleweeds
Republic Pictures (1935)

The Last Round-Up
Columbia Pictures (1947)

Watch Gene Autry's first feature films for Republic Pictures and Columbia Pictures.

Saturday, February 5th

"Making Movies"

Shooting High
20th Century Fox (1940)

Sioux City Sue
Republic Pictures (1946)

February is Academy Awards month in Hollywood and the Museum will screen two Gene Autry films with storylines about making movies.

Saturday, March 5th

"Texas Independence Day"

The Big Show
Republic Pictures (1936)

Texans Never Cry
Columbia Pictures (1951)

On March 2, 1936, Texas declared its independence from Mexico and became the Republic of Texas. This month's films take place in the great state of Texas.

Saturday, April 2nd

"Spring into Easter"

Springtime in the Rockies
Republic Pictures (1937)

Hills of Utah
Columbia Pictures (1951)

Spring into Easter with Gene Autry's musical B Westerns that feature such delightful songs as When It's Springtime in the Rockies and Peter Cottontail.

Saturday, May 7th

"Cinco De Mayo"

Gaucho Serenade
Republic Pictures (1940)

The Big Sombrero
Columbia Pictures (1949)

Two Latin themed films with plenty of Gene Autry's trademark music, comedy, and action.

Saturday, June 4th

"Museum Gallery Poster Art"

Public Cowboy No. 1
Republic Pictures (1937)

Riders of the Whistling Pines
Columbia Pictures (1949)

You've seen the movie posters in the museum's Imagination Gallery Gene Autry case and now you can see the films!

Saturday, July 2nd

"National Day of the Cowboy"

Rhythm of the Saddle
Republic Pictures (1938)

Cow Town
Columbia Pictures (1950)

Get ready for National Day of the Cowboy, which is July 23rd, by starting the month with two terrific singing cowboy films.

Saturday, August 6th

"Gene Autry and Rebellious Teens"

Heart of the Rio Grande
Republic Pictures (1942)

Sons of New Mexico
Columbia Pictures (1950)

Find out how America's Favorite Singing Cowboy handles rebellious teenagers in this month's double feature.

Saturday, September 3rd

"Happy Birthday Gene!"

The Singing Hill
Republic Pictures (1941)

The Strawberry Roan
Columbia Pictures (1948)

September 29th is Gene Autry's birthday.

Saturday, October 1st

"Costumed Gene"

The Sagebrush Troubadour
Republic Pictures (1935)

Blue Canadian Rockies
Columbia Pictures (1952)

While Gene Autry and his sidekicks don't go Trick or Treating, they do get into various costumed attire for masquerade parties in this pair of films.

Saturday, November 5th

"Gene Autry & Singing
Groups of the West"

The Old Corral
Republic Pictures (1936)

Wagon Team
Columbia Pictures (1952)

Watch Gene sing with some of the best singing groups of the West in this double feature, including Sons of the Pioneers with Roy Rogers and the Cass County Boys. November 5th is Roy Rogers' 100th Birthday.

Saturday, December 3rd

"Happy Holidays Kids!"

Ridin' On A Rainbow
Republic Pictures (1941)

The Cowboy and the Indians
Columbia Pictures (1949)

Tune up for the holidays with these two films as you sing along with Mary Lee's performance of What's Your Favorite Holiday and Gene Autry's famous song Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane).

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