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Finding aid of the Edward Finney/Tex Ritter Papers
93.237
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Table of contents
Title: Edward Finney/Tex Ritter Papers
Dates: 1938-1968
Bulk Dates: 1938-1939
Collection number: 93.237
Creator:
Finney, Edward F.
Creator:
Ritter, Tex
Collection Size:
1.35 linear feet
Repository:
Autry National Center. Institute for the Study of the American West
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Abstract: The collection is primarily Edward Finney's PR archive on Tex Ritter.
Physical location: Autry National Center
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Spanish
Collection is open for research. Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit http://www.autrynationalcenter.org/research_application.php
or contact library staff at (323) 667-2000.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Library, Autry National Center. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Library Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the
Autry Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder,
which must also be obtained by the reader.
[Item identification] Edward Finney/Tex Ritter Papers, 93.237. Autry Library, Autry National Center, Los Angeles, CA
Purchased from Suzanne Licht (Edward Finney's daughter)
Biography / Administrative History
Edward Finney was a talent scout and producer for Grand National Studios, when he "discovered" Tex Ritter and signed him to
a contract in 1936. Grand National Studios produced B Westerns. Between 1936 and 1938, when the studio folded, Ritter and
Finney made 12 features together. They both then moved to Monogram in 1938. In 1941, Ritter signed on with Columbia studios.
By the time he left Mongram's employ, he and Finney had made a total of 32 B Western movies together.
Tex Ritter was born Woodward Maurice Ritter on January 12, 1905. He was an American county music singer and motion picture
actor popular from mid 1930s into the 1960s. Ritter first appeared on radio, hosting and appearing in such western shows as
"The Lone Star Rangers" and "Cowboy Tom's Roundup." In 1936, Ritter moved to Los Angeles. His motion picture debut was in
"Song Of The Gringo" (1936) for Grand National Pictures. Ritter later made "singing cowboy" movies for Univeral Pictures and
Producers Releasing Corporation. January 2, 1974, Ritter passed away in Nashville, Tenn. (Source: Wikipedia)
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection is primarily Edward Finney's Public Relations archive on Tex Ritter. It covers the early (1938-1939) part of
Ritter's career with Monogram and Grand National. There is some material from the 1940s sprinkled through the collection,
and occasional information on other actors that Finney was handling. There are some materials on Tex Ritter and the Northwesterners.
The bulk of the material is press clippings, exploitation material, still photos, and movie documentation. There are two
boxes of files, some loose photographs in a binder, and some additional materials.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Ritter, Tex.
Finney, Edward F.
Northwesterners.
Monogram Pictures Corporation.
Grand National Pictures.
Ridin' the Cherokee Trail (Motion picture : 1941)
Song of the Buckaroo (Motion picture : 1938)
The Man from Texas (Motion picture : 1939)
Rollin' Westward (Motion picture : 1939)
Trouble in Texas (Motion picture : 1937)
Roll Wagons Roll (Motion picture : 1940)
Utah Trail (Motion picture : 1938)
Sing Cowboy Sing (Motion picture : 1937)
The Pioneers (Motion picture : 1941)
Song of the Gringo (Motion picture : 1936)
Tex Rides with the Boy Scouts (Motion picture : 1937)
Rhythm of the Rio Grande (Motion picture : 1940)
Motion picture actors and actresses.
Scripts.
Clippings.
Letters.
Programs.
Posters, American.
Film stills.
Photographs.
Scores.
Commercial catalogs.
Pamphlets.
Sheet music.