THE BIG SHOW (1936) and TEXANS NEVER CRY (1951)

SATURDAY MATINEE DOUBLE FEATURE

Starring Gene Autry

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. The Autry returns 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.

THE BIG SHOW (Republic Pictures, 1936)Synopsis:Movie stunt-double Gene Autry must take the place of temperamental Western star Tom Ford (both roles are played by Gene) at the Texas Centennial. Gene’s singing soon leads to complications with girlfriends, studio executives, and gangsters. Filmed on location at the Texas Centennial with musical guests the Beverly Hill Billies, Sons of the Pioneers (with Leonard Slye, later known as Roy Rogers), the Jones Boys, and the Light Crust Doughboys. For more details on the cast and songs in this film, visit the Official Gene Autry website page for The Big Show.  TEXANS NEVER CRY (Columbia Pictures, 1951)Synopsis:When Texas Ranger Gene Autry saves a family from eviction, he discovers that their money was used to purchase counterfeit Mexican lottery tickets. Gene is then on a do-or-die mission for Texas and Mexico as he tracks down the ring of counterfeiters. After the Mexican Inspector is murdered, Gene faces the longest odds of his life when a vicious killer crosses the border to do away with him. Gene’s signature singing is woven into the fiery action of this 1951 film featuring Gail Davis, Pat Buttram, and Champion. For more details on the cast and songs in this film, visit the Official Gene Autry website page for Texans Never Cry.