Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Monte Hale, R. I. P.

Singing cowboy Monte Hale dies at 89: "Monte Hale, a singing cowboy whose tall frame, strong voice and handsome looks led to dozens of film roles in westerns during the 1940s, has died. He was 89.

Hale died Sunday at home in Studio City, Calif., after a lengthy illness, said Yadhira De Leon of the Autry National Centre of the American West.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Hale picked up the guitar as a teen and was discovered as a player at a war bond rally during the Second World War, according to a press release from the centre.

Recommended for a screen test in Hollywood for Republic Pictures, he hitchhiked from Texas to California. He ended up snagging a part in The Big Bonanza (1944), then signed a seven-year contract with Republic."

I saw him on many a Saturday afternoon.

1 comment:

Dan said...

Star of THE VANISHING WESTERNER, one of the strangest films ever to ride out of Republic.