Monte Hale

Monte Hale (born Samuel Buren Ely June 8, 1919 – March 29, 2009)[1] was an American B-Western film star and country musician.

Monte Hale
Born
Samuel "Buren" Ely

(1919-06-08)June 8, 1919
DiedMarch 29, 2009(2009-03-29) (aged 89)
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)
OccupationActor, singer
Years active1944–1968
Spouse(s)Joanne Hale
Cherie DeCastro
Parent(s)Herod Matthew and Louella Ely, and step-mother Helen Maggie Ely
FamilyBuddy, Bobby (siblings)
Evelyn Lively (step-sister)

Biography

Sometimes reported to have been born in San Angelo, Texas, he was actually born in Ada, Oklahoma but grew up in Shawnee, Oklahoma, attending Washington Grade School and Shawnee High School. (Texas birthplace reportedly sounded better for the movies).[2] After working as a laborer at various jobs in Ada and Enid OK Herod Ely settled in Shawnee and became an evangelist with the Church of God. His oldest son, Buren, was known to use his musical talent during his father's services. The boy had gathered pecans and picked cotton to earn money to buy his first guitar. Soon he was singing and playing the guitar wherever he could find an audience. His parents had divorced and both had remarried with youngest brother Bobby going with his mother. In 1934 16-year-old Buren left home as many boys did during the Depressions. He headed for Houston and found work playing his music. From there he went to Albuquerque working on a radio station. A man there convinced him to head to California but all he was able to do there was scratch together a small band and play at a winter resort dude ranch. After four years he returned to with the Texas Vaudeville and local rodeo shows. During World War II he got a job as a replacement guitarist with the Stars Over Texas Bond Drive joining several Republic Pictures celebrities and staff. This introduced him to western stars like Chill Wills and convinced Phil Isley to recommended him to Herbert Yates, head of Republic Pictures. Yates agreed to "test" him but he must fund his own trip. Some friends gave him $200 and he flew to Los Angeles.

It was 1944 and he signed with the company for seven years and changed his name from Buren Ely to "Monte Hale". He soon starred in his first major role in Home on the Range. He appeared in some of the first westerns filmed in color and was given use of Roy Rogers' musical sidekicks, the "Sons of the Pioneers" for one of his movies. He was often cast as a young cowboy with cameos by Don Barry, Allen Lane and Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Hale then played more traditional Western heroes in films set in the late 19th century. By 1947 the formula was set with Paul Hurst joining the series as Hale's sidekick and Riders of the Purple Sage providing the music. At this point he ceased playing the character named for himself.

In 1948 he made a trip back to see friends and family in his hometown of Shawnee plus appearances in 18 other Oklahoma towns to promote his latest movie, Son of God's Country. He reported that he had to leave his horse Pardner behind.

Hale was also a recording star and appeared in a series of Western comics published by Fawcett Comics. Beginning in 1948 Hale had his own title with more than 50 issues. In fact, his comic book stardom lasted longer than his film stardom. Republic began cutting back on the Western genre moving to television. He finished his Republic contract with an appearance in the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans movies Trail of Robin Hood with fellow Republic stars Rex Allen and Rocky Lane.

Hale made many public appearances at rodeos and other Western shows. He played a villain role in the 1954's Yukon Vengeance. His last movie appearance was in Giant in 1956, where part of his job was to teach James Dean to use a lariat. He appeared in a few television roles and movies up until 1966. On November 12, 2004, for his work in movies, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was also instrumental in the foundation of what is now the Autry National Center of the American West.[1]

In 1998, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to him.[3]

Death

He died at 89 in Studio City, California after a long illness; he was survived by his wife of 31 years, Joanne.[1][4] He was buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California.[5]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1944The Big BonanzaSaloon Singer
1945The Topeka TerrorSettlerUncredited
1945Steppin' in SocietyUncredited
1945Oregon TrailTrain PassengerUncredited
1945The Purple Monster StrikesDr. HarveySerial, [Chs. 13-14]
1945Bandits of the BadlandsDr. Steve Carson
1945Rough Riders of CheyenneWard Tuttle
1945Colorado PioneersCowhand That Quits
1946The Phantom RiderCowboy CassSerial, [Ch. 1]
1946California Gold RushPete - Driver That Quits
1946Home on the RangeHimself
1946Sun Valley CycloneJeff
1946Man from Rainbow ValleyHimself
1946Out California Way
1947Last Frontier Uprising
1947Along the Oregon Trail
1947Under Colorado Skies
1948California Firebrand
1948The Timber Trail
1948Son of God's Country
1949Prince of the PlainsBat Masterson
1949Law of the Golden WestBill Cody
1949Outcasts of the TrailPat Garrett
1949South of RioJeff Lanning
1949San Antone AmbushLt. Ross Kincaid
1949Ranger of Cherokee StripRanger Steve Howard
1949Pioneer MarshalMarshal Ed Sherwood Posing as Ted Post
1950The Vanishing WesternerChris Adams
1950The Old FrontierMarshal Barney Regan
1950The MissouriansMarshal Bill Blades
1950Trail of Robin HoodHimself
1954Yukon VengeanceJim Barclay
1956GiantBale Clinch
1962The Man Who Shot Liberty ValanceUncredited
1966The ChaseDental DelegateUncredited

Notes

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