 |  | |
Cody rode a nice looking paint named 'Chico' which he used in films as well as his circus performances. As mentioned, Cody's last fling as a western movie hero was in a series for Spectrum in the mid 1930s. Fred Scott, the "Silvery-Voiced Buckaroo", shown above on the right, became Spectrum's resident range rider beginning in 1936. Spectrum did not produce either series, but simply released the films under their logo. Ray Kirkwood's Gemini Productions churned out the Cody series (and Jed Buell and C. C. Burr did the Scott singin' cowboy flicks). Around 1939-1940, Spectrum bit the dust, a victim of financial difficulties. | ||
 Above from L-to-R are Cody, Earl Dwire (maroon colored vest), Gill Pratt (lawman) and W. L. Thorne (seated at table, wearing suit). From LAW OF THE NORTH (Monogram, 1932).  Cody's range costume in his early films consisted of a very large hat and clothes that seemed to be a baggy and ill-fitting. By the Spectrum series, he had adopted a more streamlined, form-fitting uniform and a smaller hat as shown above in a lobby card for SIX GUN JUSTICE (Spectrum, 1935).  (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from L-to-R sitting are Stuart James, Bill Cody, Earle Hodgins and L-to-R standing are Roger Williams and Ace Cain. From THE TEXAS RAMBLER (Spectrum, 1935).  Above, Bill Cody and Gertrude Messinger (sometimes spelled Messenger) look worried as they examine the body of prolific western supporting player Budd Buster in BLAZING JUSTICE (Spectrum, 1936). Gertie's Hollywood career began when she was a youngster, and she co-starred in THE BOY FRIENDS series for producer Hal Roach (future stuntman Dave Sharpe was also a member of the cast, and Gertrude was once married to Sharpe). |