Reel Cowboys of the Santa Susanas -- Bob Allen

Robert "Bob" Allen (1906 - 1998) (left above - photo courtesy of Bruce Hickey) was an American born film actor, and B-Western cowboy star.  Bob broke into the movies in the mid 1920s.  

And, by 1937, along with sidekick Wally Wales (aka Hal Taliaferro), he starred in six films for director Spencer Gordon Bennet.  

The films became known as the Bob Allen Ranger series.  Three of the ranger series movies were lensed in Chatsworth's Santa Susana Mountains.

Law of the Ranger (1937) starring Robert Allen, Elaine Shepard and John Merton (Brandeis Ranch)(Iverson Ranch) Columbia

Ranger Courage (1937) starring Robert Allen, Martha Tibbetts and Walter Miller (Iverson Ranch)(Burro Flats) Columbia

Reckless Ranger (1937) starring Robert Allen, Louise Small and Mary MacLaren (Brandeis Ranch)(Iverson Ranch)(Burro Flats) Columbia

Funny Business on the Iverson Ranch

With it's magnificent rock outcroppings, rugged chaparral, and oak tree studded landscape Chatsworth's Iverson Movie Ranch, and it's 25 miles of scenic chase roads was the perfect back drop for the antics of such comedy greats as Abbott and Costello, Bob Hope, Laurel and Hardy, and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

Over several decades dozens of delightful comedies were lensed on the Iverson Ranch.  Included here is a short list of a few of my favorites... 

Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Dick Foran and Johnny Mack Brown (Iverson Ranch) Universal.  For more information about this classic see http://a-drifting-cowboy.blogspot.com/2012/07/best-chatsworth-movies-ride-em-cowboy.html

Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Dick Foran and Johnny Mack Brown (Iverson Ranch) Universal.

The Flying Deuces (1939) starring Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy and Jean Parker (Iverson Ranch) Boris Morros Prod.

Pardners (1956) starring Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Lori Nelson and Jeff Morrow (Iverson Ranch) Paramount

Here's a short (four minute) clip with a few of my favorite scenes in the above films.

Reel Little Cowboy of the Santa Susanas -- Sammy McKim

Sammy McKim (1924 – 2004) was a Canadian born child film actor (photo above far right).  He is best known for his roles in several of Republic Picture's "Three Mesquiteers" Western titles.

Sammy McKim's Santa Susana locations supporting roles filmography:

Annie Oakley (1935) starring Barbara Stanwyck, Preston Foster and Melvyn Douglas (Iverson Ranch) RKO

Cowboy Star, The (1936) starring Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith and Si Jenks (Iverson Ranch)(Brandeis Ranch) Columbia

Hit the Saddle (1937) starring Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Gunsmoke Ranch (1937) starring Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Heart of the Rockies (1937) starring Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Trigger Trio, The (1937) starring Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune and Ralph Byrd (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Old Wyoming Trail, The (1937) starring Charles Starrett, Donald Grayson and Barbara Weeks (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

Old Barn Dance, The (1938) starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette and Joan Valerie (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Lone Ranger, The (1938)[serial] starring Silver King the Horse, Chief Thundercloud and Lynne Roberts (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Call the Mesquiteers (1938) starring Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Red River Range (1938) starring John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune (Corriganville) Republic (photo courtesy of Bruce Hickey)

Night Riders, The (1939) starring John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune (Corriganville) Republic (photo courtesy of Bruce Hickey)

Western Caravans (1939) - Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith and Dick Curtis (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

New Frontier (1939) starring John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, Raymond Hatton (Corriganville)(Iverson Ranch) Republic

Rovin' Tumbleweeds (1939) starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette and Mary Carlisle (Burro Flats) Republic

Rocky Mountain Rangers (1940) starring Robert Livingston, Raymond Hatton, Duncan Renaldo (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Texas Terrors (1940) starring Don 'Red' Barry, Julie Duncan and Arthur Loft (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Sergeant York (1941) starring Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan and Joan Leslie (Burro Flats) Warner Bros.

Wild Bill Hickok Rides (1942) starring Constance Bennett, Bruce Cabot, Warren William (Iverson Ranch) Warner Bros.

Cowboy Collectibles -- Askew Saddlery's 40th Anniversary Watch Fob

In 1866, after the end of the Civil War, William Askew moved to Kansas City, Missouri.  There he established a leather and harness hardware business with his brother Wilson Askew, a nephew Frank Askew, and fellow named Dubois.  The small business employed 6 craftsmen, and was known as Askew, Dubois & Company.

In 1873, Dubois retired and the business was renamed WW & F Askew Company for William, Wilson and Frank Askew.  

In 1878, when William Askew retired from the company the business was renamed again to Askew Brothers Saddlery Company.

Finally in 1894, the company was incorporated as the Askew Saddlery Company with Wilson Askew as President and Frank Askew as Vice President.

The Askew Saddlery Company was among the first saddle-makers to provide quality saddles to working Cowboys in the business of driving beef to market in Kansas City, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois. 

Over the years the Askew Saddle became known as a superior product -- made with excellent materials by expert craftsmen.

By 1906, when the company celebrated its 40th anniversary, the factory employed over 135 craftsmen as well as many office workers, and sales staff.

The Askew Saddlery Company ended when it was purchased by the Harpham Brothers Saddlery in 1928 -- just before the beginning of Great Depression in 1929.

Reel Cowboys of the Santa Susanas -- Howard Duff

Howard Duff (1913 - 1990) was an American actor of film, television, stage, and radio. He was probably best known for his role as a detective on the "Felony Squad" television series.

Calamity Jane and Sam Bass (1949) starring Yvonne De Carlo, Howard Duff and Dorothy Hart (Iverson Ranch) Universal

Blackjack Ketchum, Desperado (1956) starring Howard Duff, Victor Jory and Margaret Field (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

Sierra Stranger (1957) starring Howard Duff, Gloria McGehee and Dick Foran (Bell Ranch) Columbia

"Bonanza" (TV Series) episode 

"Enter Mark Twain" (1959) as Samuel Clemens / Mark Twain

"The Virginian" (TV Series) episodes: 

"The Town Killer" (1971) as Stuart Masters

"A Distant Fury" (1963) as Ed Frazer