George Francis Hayes ran away from home at seventeen to join the circus. He got his start in vaudeville, married entertainer Olive Ireland and became successful enough to retire in 1928 at the age of forty-three. The market crash of ’29 put a crimp in the retirement plan. Olive convinced him to try his hand at film.

The couple moved to Hollywood where George found his way into a B Western role as Hopalong Cassidy’s sidekick Windy Halliday in 1935. The persona we know, love and remember today began to emerge from there; but first George had to learn to ride a horse. He was about as eastern as any westerner had ever been. William Boyd’s Hoppy and Windy rode together until George left Paramount for Republic in 1939.

Republic dubbed George “Gabby” for an eighty-six film run between 1939 and 1946. Besides the name change Republic polished the image we know as Gabby Hayes. Polished may not exactly capture the essence of the make-over. The beard never say barber. The well-spoken easterner learned a whole new range of expression, “Dagnabit”, “dadgummit”, “durn tooin’”, “whippersnapper” not to mention “persnickety female”, a derogatory reference to a woman, predating political correctness.

Along the way Gabby sidekicked with Roy Rogers for over half of those eighty six films, also appearing opposite Gene Autry, Wild Bill Elliott, Randolph Scott and the immortal John Wayne. Following his film career, Gabby made a move to the small screen, hosting the Gabby Hayes Show from 1950 to 1956. His appearances on the show were limited to whittling an introduction and an occasional shaggy dog yarn.

Gabby retired after his TV run. Olive passed away the following year. They had no children. Gabby died twelve years later of heart disease at the age of eighty-three. You can find his stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame along with his place in the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

Next Week: Jingles Jones
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Ride easy,
Paul