Home » Home & Style » Western Collectibles » Frontier Doctor

Frontier Doctor

© Tim Lasiuta

Rex Allen had a long and distinguished career in TV and movies. Primarily known for his B Western films from Republic, his star rose high in the western radar. Born a few years earlier, his career would have taken a different path.

Rex Allen is one of only a handful of silver screen cowboys who actually came from a cattle ranching background. He learned to ride almost as soon as he could walk, and helped with the livestock and ranch chores before and after school.

The talents of Rex Allen were first discovered and used on radio. A popular radio singer, he followed the path of Gene Autry and was taken from the air waves to appear in western films. His films, while popular, appeared too late in the genre's life span and as his star was rising the genre died. A silky voice and an honest, friendly personality that came through on the screen made him popular amongst movie goers. Walt Disney discovered that warmth, and as a result, Rex narrated many Disney animal films. Recently, Charlie The Lonesome Cougar has been re-released and features his voice.

"Frontier Doctor" featured Rex as Dr Bill Baxter, the local sawbones from Rising Springs, Arizona during the early 1900's. Directed by Witney, the show showcased the acting talents of the Arizona native son. 39 episodes were produced, the first of which is now available on DVD from VCI.

Notable co-stars included Michael Galloway, Lloyd Perryman, Ann Doran, Michael Ansara, Fred Graham, and Joe Sawyer. Filmed near Pioneertown (I believe), it frequently brought back many of the Republic stars and villains.

This DVD includes four episodes, 'Danger Valley', 'Flaming Gold', 'Drifting Sands', and 'Outlaw Legion'. Unlike the Roy Rogers show, these episodes are more action oriented and pre-cursored Dr Quinn by 30 plus years in terms of their content.

These are available directly form VCI at www.vcientertainment.com.

Gene Autry and Roy Rogers aren't the only ones with museums. The Rex Allen Museum is located in Willcox, Arizona. The annual Rex Allen Days celebration still goes on, 54 years after the first, and Koko still stands guard over the bronze statue of Rex. If you are in Arizona, please go to:

Rex Allen Cowboy Museum
155 N Railroad Avenue
P O Box 207
Willcox, Arizona 85644

Or go to the website at www.pinkbanana.com/rex I loved these episodes and look forward to seeing the next release.

Until next I write,
I remain,
Tim Lasiuta

BustPicRx.JPG

fd vol 1.jpg

The copyright of the article Frontier Doctor in Western Collectibles is owned by . Permission to republish Frontier Doctor in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.