Monte Hale | |
|---|---|
 Halec.1940s | |
| Born | Samuel "Buren" Ely (1919-06-08)June 8, 1919 Ada, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | March 29, 2009(2009-03-29) (aged 89) Studio City, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park,Hollywood Hills, California |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer |
| Years active | 1944–1968 |
| Spouse | Joanne Hale |
Monte Hale (bornSamuel Buren Ely; June 8, 1919 – March 29, 2009)[1] was an AmericanB-Western film star andcountry musician.
Sometimes reported to have been born inSan Angelo, Texas, Hale was actually born inAda, Oklahoma but grew up inShawnee, Oklahoma, attending Washington Grade School and Shawnee High School (Texas birthplace reportedly sounded better for the movies.)[2] After working as a laborer at various jobs in Ada andEnid, Oklahoma, Herod Ely settled in Shawnee and became an evangelist with the Church of God. His oldest son, Buren, was known to use his musical talent during his father's services. The boy had gathered pecans and picked cotton to earn money to buy his first guitar. Soon he was singing and playing the guitar wherever he could find an audience. His parents had divorced and both had remarried, with youngest brother Bobby going with his mother. In 1934, 16-year-old Buren left home, as many boys did during the Depression. He headed forHouston and found work playing his music. From there he went toAlbuquerque, New Mexico, working on a radio station. A man there convinced him to head toCalifornia, but all he was able to do there was scratch together a small band and play at a winter resort dude ranch. After four years he returned to TexasVaudeville and localrodeo shows. During World War II he got a job as a replacement guitarist with theStars Over Texas Bond Drive, joining severalRepublic Pictures celebrities and staff.[citation needed] This introduced him to western stars likeChill Wills and convinced Phil Isley to recommended him toHerbert Yates, head ofRepublic Pictures. Yates agreed to "test" him but he must fund his own trip. Some friends gave him $200 and he flew to Los Angeles.
It was 1944 and he signed with the company for seven years and changed his name from Buren Ely to "Monte Hale." He soon starred in his first major role inHome on the Range. He appeared in some of the first westerns filmed in colour and was given use ofRoy Rogers' musical sidekicks, the "Sons of the Pioneers" for one of his movies. He was often cast as a young cowboy, with cameos byDon Barry,Allen Lane and Roy Rogers andDale Evans. Hale then played more traditional Western heroes in films set in the late 19th century. By 1947 the formula was set withPaul Hurst joining the series as Hale's sidekick andRiders of the Purple Sage providing the music. At this point he ceased playing the character named for himself.[3]
In 1948, he made a trip back to see friends and family in his hometown of Shawnee plus appearances in 18 other Oklahoma towns to promote his latest movie,Son of God's Country. He reported that he had to leave his horse Pardner behind.
Hale was also a recording star and appeared in a series of Western comics published byFawcett Comics. Beginning in 1948, Hale had his own title with more than 50 issues. In fact, his comic book stardom lasted longer than his film stardom. Republic began cutting back on the Western genre moving to television. He finished his Republic contract with an appearance in the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans movieTrail of Robin Hood with fellow Republic starsRex Allen andRocky Lane.
Hale made many public appearances at rodeos and other Western shows. He played a villain role in the 1954'sYukon Vengeance. His last movie appearance was inGiant in 1956, where part of his job was to teachJames Dean to use a lariat. He appeared in a few television roles and movies up until 1966. On November 12, 2004, for his work in movies, he received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame. He was also instrumental in the foundation of what is now theAutry National Center of the American West.[1]
Played "Sergeant" on "Gunsmoke" in the 1959 episode "Blue Horse" (S4E38).
In 1998, a Golden Palm Star on thePalm Springs, California,Walk of Stars was dedicated to him.[4]
He died at 89 inStudio City, California after a long illness; he was survived by his wife of 31 years, Joanne.[1][5] He was buried at theForest Lawn Memorial Park inHollywood Hills, California.[6]
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