BIG TIME: We’ve all heard stories of the celebrities who had appeared at the wonderful theaters in Bradford’s past.

Thanks to the Bradford Landmark Society’s historical calendar, we have some news to share from May 27, 1939.

“One Day Only!”

“On Stage for Three Performances IN PERSON!”

“The Most Popular He-Man Singing Cowboy Star ROY ROGERS”

The advertisement continued, “Direct from Hollywood to Bradford with his company of entertainers appearing at the New Bradford theater in conjunction with the showing of his newest picture ‘Frontier Pony Express.’ See Roy Rogers on the stage and on the screen. ‘You’ll like him!’”

The first 1,000 people in attendance that day were treated to a gift to take home: “A beautiful photo of Roy Rogers!”

And four lucky visitors to the matinee would take home a Lone Ranger doll.

Describing the film, the advertisement noted, “Not just another cowboy picture, but a real western drama, with a splendid cast throughout, You’ll love every moment of it!”

Roy Rogers was known as the “King of the Cowboys.” He appeared in more than 100 films and radio and television episodes of The Roy Rogers Show. In many of them, his wife, Dale Evans, golden palomino Trigger and German shepherd dog Bullet joined him.

His show was on the radio for nine years, and then on television from 1951 through 1957.

Roy and Dale appeared many times with the Rev. Billy Graham in Crusades all over the country, singing gospel songs and giving their testimony.

Both had been married several times. Roy had two children, Dale had one. Together they had one, a girl named Robin who died of complications from Down syndrome before her second birthday.

Dale Evans became very influential in changing public perceptions of children with developmental disabilities. An organization in Oklahoma renamed itself the Dale Rogers Training Center in her honor. It is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for individuals with disabilities in the state of Oklahoma.