Mourning the Loss of Singing Cowboy Monte Hale

[Autry National Center]

Gathering Today @ 11:30 am PST at Monte Hale’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (in front of the Roosevelt Hotel).

Los Angeles (March 30, 2009) —Popular Singing Cowboy and actor, Monte Hale, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2009 in his home in Studio City, California after a lengthy illness. He was 89 years old. His career as an entertainer spanned over sixty years in the industry.

The Texas native bought his first guitar for $8.50 at the age of thirteen. He launched his musical career performing at various clubs around the state, quickly making a name for himself and expanding his performing venues. It was during his performance at a War Bond Rally that Phillip Isley discovered him and soon the handsome, talented young man was headed to Hollywood for a screen test. He hitchhiked all the way, stopping at a gasoline station around the corner from the studio, just long enough to wash his face and comb his hair before making his appearance.

Monte’s screen test was so impressive that he was immediately signed to star in “The Big Bonanza” with Richard Arlen. Shortly after he was signed to a seven year contact with Republic where he was groomed up with films starring Wild Bill Elliott, Sunset Carson, and such fare as “Steppin in Society”(1945) with Everett Horton.

Around this time the executives at Republic were looking for someone to test a new color film and they decided to team Monte with Adrian Booth in the Magnicolor “Home On The Range” (1946), thus making Monte Hale Republic’s first western star in a color series. His next seven films were made in Trucolor. Monte went on to star in 19 of his own films.

Monte was tall and handsome and possessed an excellent voice. With this in mind, Republic put his voice and his songwriting talents to work in the westerns. Not considered true musical westerns like those of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, Monte’s films were mainly dramas in which he stopped to sing a song now and then. He became one of Republic’s most popular and respected singing cowboys.

Fawcett Publications sold over two million copies per month of Monte Hale comic books. Now considered collector’s items, the publications were sold in six series and published in twenty-seven different languages.

After his departure from Republic, Monte went on to do guest starring roles on such TV series as “Gunsmoke,” “Honey West,” “Tales of Wells Fargo,” “Wild Bill Hickock,” and “Circus Boy.” He was a member of the panel on “Juke Box Jury” and appeared on the “Western Star Theatre” radio program. In addition he continued his work in films, most notably as Rock Hudson’s attorney in “Giant” (1956) and the town drunk in “Chase” (1966) with Marlon Brando.

Monte and his wife Joanne were co-founders of the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum and serve as members of the board of directors and have since the inception of the museum. The museum was later renamed the Autry Museum of Western Heritage and is now part of the Autry National Center as the Museum of the American West.

A permanent exhibit dedicated to Monte Hale’s career is located in the Autry’s Museum of the American West’s Spirit of Imagination Gallery. In 2004 Monte was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures.

Monte is survived by his wife, Joanne Hale and a brother, Dick Hale. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the Autry National Center. For additional information contact Maxine Hansen at [phone].

[Tom Betts]

A special person. I met Monte several times and he was always very nice and interested in you as a person. The likes of him will not be seen again. Sad day for western fans.

[Stephen Lodge]

I had the pleasure of having breakfast with Monte several times while dining with some stuntmen friends at Beverly Garland's Lodge in North Hollywood, 30 or so years ago. Alway a gentleman, Monte could tell a western story with the best of 'em. God Bless him. He was the last of the breed.

[R.M.Cole]

Monte Hale was the last of the breed. I am truly saddened by this passing of an era, the likes of which we probably won't see again. My condolences to Mrs. Hale and the rest of Monte's family and friends.

[Autry National Center]

Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Here is some more information and quotes on our website:

http://www.autrynationalcenter.org/montehale.php

[Nikki Pelley]

I am sad to hear of his passing. I feel honored to have met him. God BLess Joanne, please take comfort in knowing we will miss him.