Bobby Copeland identified some of his favorite Columbia films (pre Durango Kid). He also relied on Boyd Magers reviews from his resourceful westernclippings.com: Outlaws of the Prairie (1937) a vengeance story line with the Texas Rangers, described as containing “the most blood thirsty, brutal scene in B-Westerns (if not also A-Westerns).” Dick Grayson and the Sons of the Pioneers provided some of the best Western music in the genre: Blue Prairie (written by Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer), My Saddle Pals and I (Roy Rogers) and Song of the Bandit (Bob Nolan). The Old Wyoming Trail (1937) has Starrett playing the role of a cattle buyer who foils the plot to take over a ranch by unsavory means. The music included Tumbling Tumbleweeds (Bob Nolan) during the opening credits; He’s Ridin’ Home (Bob Nolan) and the song made popular later by the late Slim Whitman – Love Song of the Waterfall (Bob Nolan and Carl Winge). Rio Grande (1938), a story about a double cross at the end of the cattle drive, featured Dick Curtis as the villain, who was Starrett’s arch nemesis in many of his early Western films. Also, Hal Taliaferro, who previously was the leading man Wally Wales in the silent era and side kick to Bob “Tex” Allen, played Starrett’s saddle pal. Cattle Raiders (1938) had Starrett being framed for murder. Western Caravans (1939) has Charles Starrett as the Sheriff, trying to head off a range war between the ranchers and the nesters. Iris Meredith, the heroine in many Starrett westerns, was featured in this one as well. Chuck Thornton, in his book Charles Starrett: Before Durango, the first of two volumes summarizing the filmography of Starrett, opined that The Thundering West (1939) was “a very good film.” The story was about Starrett becoming a lawman after seeking redemption for his outlaw past. Another recommended Starrett film was West of Tombstone (1942). Starrett plays a Marshall who follows up a rumor that Billy the Kid is not dead. The film included Russell Hayden, who would costar in a few Starrett Westerns and the music was provided by “Ukulele Ike” Cliff Edwards. Sadly, the man who was the voice of Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio (1940), who sang When You Wish Upon a Star and had two number 1 songs – I Can’t give You Anything But Love and Singin’ in the Rain was a drug addict and alcoholic. He died in a convalescent hospital, virtually unknown and his body unclaimed for some time. America’s favorite troubadour Tom Russell in his album Mesabi, pays homage to Cliff Edwards in The Lonesome Death of Ukulele Ike. The comical, musical sidekick to Charles Starrett deserved a better ending.
Of course, Charles Starrett is most known for playing The Durango Kid. In fact, the name Charles Starrett doesn’t register today with average folk over 60, however The Durango Kid sure does! The entry film The Durango Kid (1940) was overseen by veteran director Lambert Hillyer. The character was created by screenwriter Paul Franklin. Who would have thought the masked crusader would later become a Hollywood dynasty? However, Columbia not knowing at the time they had a gold mine in the Durango character, assigned Starrett to make 30+ western films over the next five years, before returning Starrett to his alter ego – The Durango Kid. Chuck Thornton, in his filmography, vol. 1, noted his favorite Starrett westerns in the early 40s were: Texas Stagecoach (1940), a plot to pit competing stage lines against one another and Thundering Frontier (1940), a tale of the building of a telegraph line. Starrett would soon make three films about a prairie doctor, the first being The Medico of Painted Springs (1941) and Down Rio Grande Way (1942) a story about creating the State of Texas with Starrett as a Texas Ranger, costarring Russell Hayden.
In 1944, with WW II in progress, Charles Starrett joined Tex Ritter in Cowboy Canteen. The cast of the virtually all musical film also featured Jane Frazee, Vera Vague, Big Boy Williams, Dub Taylor, Max Terhune, the Mills Brothers, Roy Acuff and his Smokey Mountain Boys, plus Jimmy Wakely and his Saddle Pals. It was the Country/Western version of Stage Door Canteen (1943) which had featured the who’s who in show business. Saddle Leather Law (1944) features Starrett as a mineralogist who is suspected of firing a shot at someone while looking for quartz. Dub Taylor provided the comic relief and Jimmy Wakely the music. Rough Ridin’ Justice (1945) was the last film before Columbia Studios decided the Durango Kid deserved a chance as a reoccurring hero. The Return of the Durango Kid (1945) was a curtain call for the masked avenger, dressed in black and riding a white horse named Raider. He would go on to make an impressive 61 additional Durango Kid films up to the last release – The Kid from Broken Gun (1952). Of the 63 total Durango Kid series, without the mask, Charles Starrett was called Steve ________ (you fill in the blank, as the surname changed virtually every time).
The budgets for the Durango Kid features declined over the years; however under the efficient direction of Ray Nazarro and the addition of Jock Mahoney, doubling for Charles Starrett as the Durango Kid, they were not that noticeable in decline, especially to the younger set. The Durango Kid performed thrilling, death defying acts thanks to the athleticism of Jocko. Starrett once said “I’ve been asked if I regretted playing the Durango Kid. How could I regret playing Durango? It was a long run and did well for me.”
Those Durango Kid films recommended by Bobby Copeland as being his personal favorites were: Blazing the Western Trail (1945), Outlaws of the Rockies (1945), Rough Ridin’ Justice (1945), Gunning for Vengeance (1946), Desert Vigilante (1949) and Snake River Desperadoes (1951). Dub “Cannonball” Taylor, father of actor/artist Buck Taylor, was a funny sidekick plus a talented musician. Charley Starrett didn’t want to lose Cliff Edwards or Dub Taylor as his sidekicks. He said “I begged studio bosses to keep him (Taylor), but they said the same thing they had said about Cliff Edwards, ‘they’re a dime a dozen.’ Smiley Burnette’s first costarring role in the Durango Kid series was Roaring Rangers (1946). Charley recalled during the shooting of their second picture together, Smiley came over and said “I understand your pictures aren’t doing too well and I’m here as a shot in the arm.” He said that statement didn’t set well with him; however Charley, always the gentleman, shared the blame by stating they “both got off on the wrong foot with each other.” However, they were able to work thru the initial tension and worked closely for seven consecutive years. Smiley eventually received equal billing with Charles Starrett; however Charley’s name was always listed first.
The western films of Charles Starrett from the beginning played an important role in promoting country/western music. The films began with the Sons of the Pioneers and ended with the Cass County Boys. Just a few musicians who were showcased in Starrett pictures were Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Merle Travis, Spade Cooley and his band, Elton Britt, Carolina Cotton, the Pee Wee King band, Ray Whitley and Jimmy Wakely and Johnny Bond, and several more.
After 1952, having 163 movies under his belt, Charley and Mary Starrett enjoyed the life of leisure. He was an avid hunter and appreciated the companionship of Johnny Mack Brown and Dub Taylor, among others, out in the wild. Charley and Mary traveled around the world and thoroughly enjoyed the Greek Isles. He was always a thoughtful and caring man. At first, he shied away from western film festivals, however once he met his adoring fans who grew up watching his films, he was gladly willing to participate.
What did others in the industry say about Charley Starrett: Iris Meredith, a Columbia contract actress made 20 films with Charles Starrett: “He was so tall, handsome and very pleasant. We had a good time making those movies.” Louise Currie: “Charles was a handsome cowboy, so good looking.” Marjorie Stapp: “Charles Starrett was such a gentleman. He would help me up on the horse every time. He was a charming man, so helpful to me.” Ann Doran: “Charles was very tall and good-looking; we got along just fine,” and the number 1 B Western leading lady Peggy Stewart remarked, “I regret I only made one picture with Charlie. He was a good actor and so damned good-looking.” Dub Taylor commented, “Charlie Starrett and Bill Elliott are two of the finest gentleman I ever worked with.” Don “Little Brown Jug” Reynolds, a child actor who was in three Starrett Westerns said, “I enjoyed very much working with Starrett. He was nice to me and everyone else. He never got upset if something went wrong like some of the other cowboys did.” Jock Mahoney recalled, “Charlie would come in for the behind the Durango Kid mask talking scenes and the Steve scenes. Charlie would jokingly say that I let him do the dialogue scenes.”
Don Miller in his informative Hollywood Corral, edited by Leonard Maltin, our favorite movie critic, devoted an entire chapter to “Durango.” “Charles Starrett made his first Western for Columbia Pictures in 1935. He was still at it in 1952. Imagine! It’s an estimable record Starrett holds. He did it without the usual amount of off-camera publicity or fan magazine stories, leading a quiet domestic life and letting his films speak for themselves. In doing so, he landed on the various list of popular cowboy stars continuously. His films changed their approach many times over the years, yet Starrett would remain the same, not even showing his age as the Thirties melted into the Forties, and so on. There were occasions, especially toward the end, where his Westerns would have his drawing power as sole assets. Starrett, a pro, would overcome the obstacles of seedy productions and careless technical work by the force of his personality and not inconsiderable acting skill. And when the Starrett pictures were good, they were good indeed.”
When this Smoke Signals Range Reporter was Police Chief in San Clemente, sometime in the early 80s, my capable Secretary, the late Pat Bouman, called me on the intercom. Pat said there was a Charley Starrett on the phone who wanted to talk to me. I thought for a moment and my memory took me back to Republic, MO 1947, and the motion picture theater where I often saw a double feature show with my two favorite cowboy heroes – The Durango Kid and Red Ryder (Bill Elliot). “Hello Chief Brown, Charley Starrett here. I just saw the article about you in this morning’s Orange County Register.” The OC Register featured an article regarding my collecting Tom Mix memorabilia. I asked, “Are you really the Durango Kid?” He laughed and acknowledged that he was indeed and that he just wanted to share that he had known Tom Mix and enjoyed the article. We spoke for several minutes; a 40 year old law dog, now at age 7, talking to his cowboy hero, an 80 year old Durango Kid, transported back to his 40s.
Charles Starrett became almost legally blind in his 80s. He also was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. Charley Starrett died on March 22, 1986 at age 82 in Borrego Springs, CA, he and his wife Mary’s winter retreat. His remains were cremated and his ashes were taken back to Dartmouth University, a special place in his life that he remained closely connected to. An airplane, unceremoniously flew over the football field and his ashes were thrown to the wind. So long Durango Kid….thanks for the memories!
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
