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Saddle Pals & Sidekicks



(Courtesy of Minard Coons)

Above from left to right are House Peters Jr., I. Stanford Jolley, Stanley Price, Whip Wilson and Tommy Farrell in Whip's last starring film, WYOMING ROUNDUP (Monogram, 1952).

Tommy Farrell (1921-2004) came from a show business family --- his mother was feisty Glenda Farrell who is best remembered as reporter "Torchy Blane" in the 1930s Warner Brothers film series. He began doing filmwork circa 1950 and sidekicked with Whip Wilson at Monogram and even helped Buster Crabbe in the PIRATES OF THE HIGH SEAS (Columbia, 1950) cliffhanger. He has about three dozen film credits (including the Elvis Presley KISSIN' COUSINS). Farrell also appeared in a variety of TV shows including an ongoing role as "Corporal Thad Carson" during the final two seasons (1957-1959) of THE ADVENTURES OF RIN TIN TIN.

Farrell was a frequent film festival guest, and in 2003, was honored with a Golden Boot award. He passed away on May 9, 2004 at the Motion Picture Hospital.

  Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) has information on Tommy Farrell: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0268353/



(Courtesy of Randy Laing)

Above from L-to-R are a very gray Bud Osborne, Tommy Farrell and Clayton Moore in the serial, SON OF GERONIMO (Columbia, 1952).



(Courtesy of the Motion Picture & Television Fund)

Above, Tommy Farrell at the 2003 Golden Boot awards ceremony ... holding his Golden Boot award.




(From Old Corral collection)

Richard Martin (1917-1994) is best remembered as Tim Holt's Irish-Mexican sidekick 'Chito' (Chito Jose Gonzales Bustamonte Rafferty).  Above from L-to-R are Tim Holt, baddie Holly Bane (Mike Ragan) wrapped with the rope, and Richard Martin in a lobby card from STORM OVER WYOMING (RKO, 1950). After his Hollywood career ended, Martin became a successful insurance executive.

  Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Richard Martin: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0552955/


The Los Angeles Times newspaper website has an obituary on Richard 'Chito' Martin: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-05-me-34929-story.html


(Courtesy of Minard Coons)



(Courtesy of Ed Phillips)

Above - Robert Mitchum and his saddle pal Richard Martin (as "Chito Jose Gonzales Bustamante Rafferty") in WEST OF THE PECOS (RKO, 1945).


(From Old Corral collection)

Above are Tim Holt and Elaine Riley in RIDER FROM TUCSON (RKO, 1950). Riley was married to Martin. She passed away December 7, 2015.




(From Old Corral collection)

Sterling Holloway (1905-1992) made a few films as a sidekick, including WILDFIRE (Action Pictures, 1945) with Bob Steele and Eddie Dean. That was followed with a few saddle pal roles with Gene Autry. Above from L-to-R are Sterling Holloway, Lynne Roberts and Gene Autry in a lobby card from ROBIN HOOD OF TEXAS (Republic, 1947).


(From Old Corral collection)

Above are Sterling Holloway, Gene Autry and Bob Steele taking a break during filming of TWILIGHT ON THE RIO GRANDE (Republic, 1947).


(From Old Corral collection)

After returning from World War II service, Autry made a few pictures for Republic before he formed his own production company and moved over to Columbia Pictures. Above is Gene on Champion Jr. with sidekick Sterling Holloway in a lobby card from TWILIGHT ON THE RIO GRANDE (Republic, 1947).



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