In the late 1930s, Gene turned down an offer of $3,000 to endorse a brand of cigarette.
Then Gene rode on again astride Champ, to sing some of his greatest hits including his theme song BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN, ANYTIME, DOWN YONDER, MEXICALI ROSE, THE LAST ROUNDUP, YOUR CHEATIN' HEART, ALONG THE NAVAJO TRAIL, and GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY.
He would then encourage the audience join him in singing RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER which was as big a hit in England as it was in the United States. Gene had worked out a new routine with this, stopping the song to tell the audience to sing louder, suggesting they would be less shy and bashful if the lights were out. He then called to the electrician to douse the lights—to no avail—so he drew his gun and 'shot' the four spotlights out. He said: "All you boys who brought your girlfriends can leave me one shilling at the box-office when you leave"—and after that the crowd raised the roof with their singing!
Gene sang a selection of Jimmy Kennedy-Michael Carr hits, including ISLE OF CAPRI, RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET, HARBOR LIGHTS, and finished with a smash rendition of the ever popular SOUTH OF THE BORDER, which he took back to the United States with him after his 1939 tour when the writers presented it to him at the Theatre Royal in Dublin.
Following a short intermission, Gene then introduced Carl Cotner, who entertained the audience with his fast fiddling, then the lovely Gail Davis, who was dressed in her Annie Oakley costume which she wore in her TV series of the same name. Rufe Davis then convulsed the crowds with his barnyard noises and songs, and was called him back for many encores.
Then came the high point of the show when Gene would gallop back onto the stage on Champion to present Champ and Little Champ in their many tricks and stunts. The audience loved every minute of it and at the end of the show raised the roof when Gene rode Champ right around the arena to shake hands with many of the kids. Then he would ride back onto the stage, bringing back the entire cast for a final bow, and everyone stood while the orchestra played GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, the British National Anthem.
After the London engagement, there was only a week before Gene had to start back for New York, and the Madison Square Garden Rodeo. When Gene opened at Madison Square Garden, he received an enthusiastic welcome home. And so it continued, each stop filled with magic moments.
There is no better way to finish this article than to quote you an editorial which appeared in the Boston Herald dated Sunday, August 23rd, 1954, headed AMBASSADOR ON HORSEBACK.
"One of America's best diplomats is Gene Autry. Through the medium of his radio show, he is doing a great deal to help Great Britain and the United States understand each other. In a very simple way, he has helped us to use our own interests to gain understanding...Perhaps Gene Autry with a guitar and a horse can do more than pacts and treaties to bring two peoples together."
That is a good title for Gene Autry—a good will ambassador wherever he goes, whether in a foreign country or in the smallest or largest city in the United States—a man who brought thousands of people pleasure, good memories, and hope—and a man of whom America will always be proud.
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