Portage County Historical Society

Roy Rogers & Dale Evans

Roy & Dale, very fine people. Worked with them several times thru the years. I remember the first time, I was 8 years old. Roy Rogers was a very big Star already. "The Engfords" were part of a show held in a huge auditorium in Kansas City. Roy, of course, was the Star of the show. Well, our dressing-room was right next to his. My father, Harry, went out to check our props for the show. The instant he opened the dressing-room door, dozens of flashbulbs went off!!! Photographers, with these big, old-fashioned cameras!! It looked like a lightning storm!! As the flashes subsided, you could hear, "Is that HIM?"; "Is THAT him?"; "No, that's NOT him!" For one blinding moment, Harry was thought to be Roy Rogers!! He smiled, took a bow, and went off to check the props, leaving the photographers to re-load their bulbs!

In the photo of Roy & Dale with Frank and I, this was taken at a huge Fair in Bloomsburg, Pa. We were there for a week with them, and Roy Jr. with the "Sons of the Pioneers". They were very nice people, and very professional in every way.