By the early 1950s, “the singing cowboy” Gene Autry was a bonafide movie star. After fulfilling his contract to Republic Pictures, which expired in 1947, Autry began producing his own films that were then distributed by Columbia Pictures. Gene Autry’s films were more expensive and elaborate than the typical “B” westerns of the day, and usually earned top billing in large cities. In the 1951 picture “Silver Canyon”, Autry and longtime sidekick Pat Buttram play Union scouts sent to Utah to bring in a band of Confederate guerrilla raiders who are interfering with Federal supply lines. This Gene Autry’s Personal Collection “Silver Canyon” 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 few vertical fold lines down the middle, a small tear in the upper portion and the middle portion from the intersection of those fold lines, a few small tears in each of the 4 corners, a few small tears at the middle left side, several scattered small holes and tears throughout, especially around the edges, some scattered spot soiling around the front, some scattered scuffing around the edges of the frame, 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’S AN / ARMY SCOUT / RIDING WITH THE / U.S. CAVALRY IN / THE WEST’S MOST / ADVENTUROUS / ERA!” spelled out along the upper left front, a large depiction of Gene Autry in classic western garb holding a Colt .45 atop a horse in the foreground, a US Cavalry column in the background, “COLUMBIA PICTURES presents / Gene AUTRY” at the lower middle front, the title of the picture, “SILVER CANYON”, in large font also at the lower middle front, the names of the co-stars including “Gail Davis” and “Bob Steele” in smaller font at the still further lower middle front, “Copyright 1951 Columbia Pictures Corp. #7813” at the bottom right front corner, “51/372” and “Printed In U.S.A.” at the bottom left front corner, and “FRANK BRESEE / COLLECTION” at the top right and bottom left front corners. 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 “Silver Canyon” Western Film Framed Movie Poster.