According to a 1948 Life magazine article, "if [Gene's records] were all shipped to one place, [they] would make up a freight train solid with Western songs and be more than a mile long."
September at The Autry
Singing Cowboys Here, Movie Cowboys There, Entertaining Cowboys Everywhere!
Posted September 14, 2012
Gene Autry's fans know that the museum he founded in Los Angeles, the Autry National Center, is a history museum dedicated to exploring and sharing the stories, experiences, and perceptions of the diverse peoples of the American West. Whenever you might visit the Autry, you'll find exhibits and events on real folks of the West and also mythical characters. It just so happens that the month of September has several special programs and events that Gene Autry's fans will be interested in seeing.
There are Gene Autry events such as movie and television episode screenings, a special cameo exhibit on Annie Oakley, plus a full day of fun celebrating Gene Autry's birthday. If you like cowboy adventures, then you probably will also enjoy the excitement and romance of Zorro. The museum is screening a Zorro film plus episodes of the television series. We are really excited to welcome actor Henry Darrow, star of TV's Zorro and The High Chapparral for a discussion on his recent biography and book signing.
The television Western activities continue at the end of the month with a special day-long celebration of the long-running series The Virginian. And because singing cowboys need music and their horses, you'll also want to see the live Western music performances and an award-winning documentary on wild horses at the Autry in September.
All of these screenings, lectures and museum admission are free with your Autry National Center membership. Your museum membership card is going to get quite a workout during the month of September! If you need to renew your membership, give one as a gift, or purchase it for the first time, check out all the details on the Autry Museum's website here.
Below you'll find the listing of cowboy related events at the Autry in September plus links to the museum's website with full details on times and locations.
Saturday, September 1st, Noon to 2:30pm
Gene Autry Double Features: Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge and Last of the Pony Riders
Two Gene Autry films are screened on the first Saturday of every month in the Imagination Gallery's Western Legacy Theater. This month's movies honor Gene Autry's birthday, which is September 29. Yodelin' Kid From Pine Ridge is one of Gene's earlier films, and Last of the Pony Riders is his last film. Both feature sidekick Smiley Burnette and have Gene singing his popular tune "Sing Me a Song of the Saddle."
Tuesday, September 4th to
Sunday, October 21st
Founder's Day Cameo Gene Autry, Annie Oakley, and the Autry National Center
Each year the Autry displays a special cameo exhibit highlighting an aspect of Gene Autry's life and career. This year the museum is looking at Gene Autry as founder of the museum. Gene understood that the history of the West was a combination of fact and fiction, so he wanted the museum to explore the historic and mythic West, two equally important aspects of Western history. This cameo exhibit examines one notable example where these narratives converge: the life and legend of sharpshooter Annie Oakley. Artifacts and information on real life sharpshooter Annie Oakley and television's Annie Oakley, played by Gail Davis, are featured.
Annie Oakley, circa 1899; LC-USZ62-7873 Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Gail Davis as television's Annie Oakley, circa 1954, donated by Terrie Davis in honor of her Mother; 99.24.1 Courtesy of The Autry National Center
Thursday, September 6th, 6:00pm
Special Movie Screening of the Award-Winning Documentary Wild Horse, Wild Ride (2011)
Wild Horse, Wild Ride tells the story of the Extreme Mustang Makeover Challenge, an annual contest that dares 100 people to each tame a totally wild mustang in order to get it adopted into a better life beyond federal corrals. Stunning and poignant, Alex Dawson's and Greg Gricus's debut feature documentary chronicles a handful of unforgettable characters from their first uneasy meeting with their horses.
Saturday, September 8th, 1:30pm
What Is a Western Film Series The Mark of Zorro (1940)
The Autry Museum's What Is a Western? Film Series is a monthly 35mm film screening event curated by Jeffrey Richardson, the Autry's Gamble Curator of Western History, Popular Culture, and Firearems. Prior to the screening, Jeffrey leads a discussion on the film's history and its place within the Western genre. September's film is The Mark of Zorro directed by Rouben Mamoulian starring Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell, and Basil Rathbone.
Saturday, September 15th
Zorro Television Episode Screenings and Actor Henry Darrow
11:00am to 4:00pm
Latino Heritage Month Screenings of the television series Zorro featuring Henry Darrow
As part of the Autry's celebration of Latino Heritage Month, enjoy episodes of the television series Zorro, featuring Henry Darrow, one of the first Latino actors to appear in a popular television series, and the first Latino actor to portray Zorro.
1:00pm to 3:00pm
Book Talk with actor Henry Darrow of TV's The High Chaparral and Zorro and his book Henry Darrow: Lightning in the Bottle
After watching actor Henry Darrow in an episode of Zorro, see him in person as the Autry! The museum is delighted to welcome Henry Darrow – on what happens to be his birthday – in a conversation about his life and career on the stage and screen as he discusses his book Henry Darrow: Lightning in the Bottle. He's sure to talk about his work in television Western such as Zorro, The High Chapparral, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke.
Sunday, September 16th, Noon to 3:00pm
Western Music Association Monthly Jam
Join musicians and cowboy poets as they perform stories and songs.
Saturday, September 22nd, 10:00am to 4:00pm
The Autry celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the hit television show The Virginian
The day's events include a panel discussion with cast members, episode screenings, autograph session, and more. The Virginian cast members scheduled to appear are: James Drury, Randy Boone, Gary Clarke, Sara Lane, Don Quine, Diane Roter and Roberta Shore.
Owen Wister's 1902 western novel The Virginian was one of the first great novels of the American West. Set in the semi-mythical town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming in the 1890s, it chronicled the lives and relationships of the people who came west and settled the wild land. Starring James Drury in the title role, The Virginian was the first 90-minute television western, airing in prime time on NBC from 1962-1971.
Saturday, September 29th
Five-Star Birthday Celebration for America's favorite singing Cowboy, Gene Autry
Celebrate Gene Autry's birthday at the museum he founded with special screenings, live musical performances, lectures and more!
Gene Autry's birthday is September 29th and known as Founder's Day at the Autry National Center. To celebrate, the Autry presents five special activities throughout the day to celebrate the only entertainer to have five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The day includes episode screenings of The Gene Autry Show, a children's craft activity, live music featuring all the Singing Cowboy's classics, a lecture by Michael Duchemin, PhD, titled "New Deal Cowboy: Gene Autry and Public Diplomacy," and, of course, birthday cake! In addition, Gene Autry's DVD and new museum membership will be on sale.
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