By 1940, “the singing cowboy” Gene Autry was Republic Pictures’ biggest movie star. His films were more expensive and elaborate than the typical “B” westerns of the day, and usually earned top billing in large cities. In the 1942 picture “Bells of Capistrano”, Autry plays a singing cowboy who comes to the aid of a damsel in distress, a beautiful rodeo owner (played by the stunning Virginia Grey) whose rival sets fire to her rodeo equipment and hurts one of her crew. Autry aims to settle the score, and is assisted by his pal, played by longtime sidekick Smiley Burnette. The “Bells of Capistrano” was Autry’s last movie before entering the US military; he served in the Army Air Forces as a cargo pilot during WW2, mostly flying stateside. This Gene Autry’s Personal Collection “Bells of Capistrano” Western Film Framed Movie Poster is in Good Condition, with three horizontal fold lines, one across the upper third, one across the middle, and one across the lower third, a vertical fold line down the middle, a tear in the lower middle from the intersection of those fold lines, a small tear at the middle left side, 3 small holes along the top (one at each corner and one at middle), 3 small holes along the bottom (also one at each corner and one at middle), several scattered small holes and tears throughout, especially around the edges, some brownish soiling at the bottom front right corner, some scattered scuffing around the edges of the frame, a deep scratch in the upper middle hard cardboard backing, and with some overall fragility and age wear evident. Otherwise, the poster is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it measures 40 1/2” x 26 1/2” (the frame’s width is only a 1/4” around the front edges), remains professionally mounted in a thick red finished metal frame, and boasts a bright, vibrant illustration at front, with “GENE / AUTRY with / SMILEY BURNETTE” spelled out along the upper left front, a large depiction of Gene Autry in classic western garb in the foreground, a smaller depiction of co-star Smiley Burnette holding a Colt .45 also in the foreground, the title of the picture, “BELLS OF / CAPISTRANO”, in large font at the lower front, the names of the co-stars including “VIRGINIA GREY” and “MORGAN CONWAY” in smaller font at the lower left front, “A REPUBLIC PICTURE” at the still further lower left front, “COUNTRY OF ORIGIN U.S.A.” at the bottom right front corner, and “FRANK BRESEE / COLLECTION” and “33792” at the bottom left front corner. Frank Bresee was a well known American radio actor and radio historian, and hosted the "Golden Days Of Radio" program, which began in 1949 and aired on the Armed Forces Radio Network from 1967-1995. That leads us to the provenance of this piece, which comes directly from the personal collection of noted gun writer Rick Hacker. Mr. Hacker relates: “This original Gene Autry movie poster came out of Gene Autry’s personal collection. It was given by Autry to his long-time employee and well-known KMPC radio disc jockey and television announcer Roger Carroll (real name Kolman C. Rutkin), who worked with Gene Autry from 1959-1980 at the Autry owned Golden West Broadcasters. In gratitude at some point during their long association, the famous “singing cowboy” Gene Autry presented Roger Carroll with this poster. It was acquired in 2000, when a number of items were auctioned off from Roger Carroll’s estate.” It has resided in Rick Hacker’s personal collection until now, and a signed letter of authenticity from Mr. Hacker will accompany this piece. With its rich, vibrant colors, and being professionally framed, this poster is an authentic link to Hollywood’s golden years of musical westerns and singing cowboys. A fine example of a very rare, original Gene Autry’s Personal Collection “Bells of Capistrano” Western Film Framed Movie Poster.