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Do You Remember Gabby Hayes?
As a baby boomer I grew up during the 'Golden Age' of TV cowboys. I fondly look back on many afternoons rushing home from grade school and turning on the television just in time to have my cowboy hero of the moment come riding, guns blazing, into my living room. And there, riding along side my hero was "Gabby Hayes". When we think of cowboy sidekicks the first image that comes to our mind is Gabby Hayes. He was certainly one of the most prolific - with 190 film credits - and most beloved - in the 1940's he consistently ranked among Hollywood's 'Top Ten Western Stars'. If the measure of a sidekick is to be judged by the quality of the cowboy he rode with then Gabby Hayes must be counted among the very best. Just look at who he starred with - William Boyd, Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Bill Elliott and Randolph Scott among many others. George Hayes was born in Wellsville, New York on May 7, 1885. As a teen worked in a circus and later tried his hand at semi-pro baseball. He first started in show business in vaudeville and briefly on legitimate stage, primarily in stock companies. He wound up in Hollywood at the close of the silent film era, and found some bit parts and minor roles. When sound films arrived, he began doing character parts. His first major role was portraying Hopalong Cassidy's sidekick 'Windy Haliday' at Paramount. He appeared in this role for a total of eighteen Hoppy films. Then in 1939, Hayes switched to Republic Pictures and began riding as sidekick to Roy Rogers. Since Paramount pictures and the Cassidy films owned the rights to the "Windy" character George was legally precluded from using it, so he took on the now famous "Gabby" stage name. He played in a total of 41 films with Roy Rogers. He was also the saddle pal to Wild Bill Elliott in eight westerns, as well as the first two Red Ryder films. Hayes is credited with 190 sound era films, 146 of which are westerns; mainly as a sidekick to various western stars. In the 1950s, Gabby got his own TV program, appropriately titled 'THE GABBY HAYES SHOW'. Hayes even had his own comic book series - many of which are considered highly collectible today. In real life Hayes was nothing like the cranky and crotchety old timer he portrayed on film. Offstage he was the exact opposite; serious, well read, and well dressed. He was also well liked by all that knew and worked with him. Hayes devoted the final years of his life to investments. Happy trails Gabby, till we meet again.
From a fan
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Contributor's Note
Kids love cowboys and everything about them. If your little buckaroo needs some cowboy gear please visit COWBOY KID CORRAL.
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