Gene Autry & Television in 1936

[bozey45]

Those of you interested in history of not only color but television in general may be interested in viewing a Gene Autry B western from 1936 titled "The Singing Cowboy." This is a pretty prophetic movie for not only Autry who later became a TV mogul but television in general. In this movie, to pay ofr an operation for a little girl Gene and his musical pals decide to approach a company called "Covered Wagon Coffee" and offer touse television to promote their product. So they goouton the prairie with some covered wagons and do on location TV broadcasts. Those viewing on their offices at the sponsor are watching these broadcats on large flat screen wall TV sets, I guess unheard of in 1936. You never see any cameras at all only the images on those wall TV sets. pretty prophetic for television 72 years ago and prophetic for Mr. Autry himself; this may have been the beginning of his own personal interest n the new medium of television. encore westerns is airing this month but probably could be bought or rented. Not a bad B western either, quite entertaining.