This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human. This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history.
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during the genre's heyday. Here to tell another story, another Hollywood Goes to War story, is Dr. Roger McGrath. a frequent contributor here on Our American Stories. Take it away, Roger.
Dale Robertson appeared in 37 movies and made dozens of guest appearances in various television shows, as well as starring in 201 episodes of his own series, Tales of Wells Fargo. Cut, and it's a print. Hi, I'm Dale Robertson, shooting a Wells Fargo scene. He was a star of material from his first role as a cop in The Boy with Green Hair in 1948. Before that rule, however, He was a decorated soldier in World War II.
You're a natural actor. You're a reactor. You listen and you react. Seems to come fairly easy to you.
Well, like I say, they're actors and they're personalities. Motion pictures and television has usually been a business for personalities. And the difference, in my opinion, the way it An actor can change himself to fit a role. And a personality out of necessity must change the role to fit himself, you know. I don't have the ability.
Well, nobody ever asked me to play Shakespeare, and I wouldn't have done it anyway. They wouldn't let me add Lib, you know. Dale Robertson is born in 1923 in Hara, Oklahoma. To a mother of Irish descent and a father with mostly Scottish ancestors. Dale was a natural athlete and excelled in sports.
but spent much of his time riding and training horses, especially for polo. There's a story that while attending class in high school in Oklahoma City, Robertson boxes professionally for a time to earn extra money. Harry Cohn, the head of Columbia Pictures, happens to see him fight in Wichita, Kansas. and asks the handsome youth To come to Hollywood to audition for the lead in a movie about a young boxer. Robertson's only 16.
and says he's too young to leave home and has polo ponies to train. Mm-hmm. Robertson graduates from Class in I and enrolls at Oklahoma Military Academy. in Claymore for college. The Academy has a rigorous ROTC program.
and it's called the West Point of the Southwest. Robertson is excelling at the Academy. when Japan launches its sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. He thinks about dropping out of school. but remains there until late May 1943, when he enlists in the Army.
He completes basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas. and then OCS at Fort Knox, Kentucky. becoming second lieutenant Robertson, assigned to C Company. three twenty second Combat Engineers, ninety seventh Infantry Division. He's assigned to lead A second platoon of C Company.
The 97th Infantry Division trains for amphibious operations in the Pacific. Robertson and his fellow soldiers are looking forward to paying back the Japanese for Pearl Harbor. Surprising Robertson. and everyone else in the division. Washington orders the entire Ninety seventh Infantry Division.
to board trains bound for the East. They're going to Europe. Before he leaves, Robertson visits a photography studio in Hollywood. and has a portrait photo taken to send to his mother. The photographer is thrilled with the photo.
and puts a copy of it on display in the window of his studio. A talent agent spots the photo. and thinks the dashing lieutenant would be right for the movies. That we'll have to wait. I never did even see the picture.
I just saw the proof. And then I s I started getting letters when I was overseas from people in Hollywood wanting me to come out there to Make a screen test, which I was all for it, but Uncle Sam wasn't too interested in my career. In February, the 97th boards ships in New York Harbor and sets sail for France, arriving early in March. By the end of March, the division is on the front lines, on the west bank of the Rhine River, opposite Dusseldorf in what's called the Ruhr Pocket. Robertson and C Company, are tasked with ferrying reconnaissance patrols across the Rhine.
Three combat engineers are killed and one is captured. Robertson comes through without a scratch. Shortly after his first action, Robertson and C Company, along with the rest of the 97th, are transported 50 miles to the southeast. where they are able to cross the Rhine and push east on the south side of the Sig River. They are now inside Germany.
Robertson's company is tasked with ferrying infantry troops across the Sig in assault boats and building a floating pontoon bridge for vehicles. while under fire from machine guns, mortars and artillery. During the action, Robertson is knocked into the river. He's loaded down with extra gear. and is unable to stay afloat.
One of his men dives in and helps him struggle to shore. Robertson doesn't have time to worry about almost drowning. The first two vehicles to cross a pontoon bridge hit mines on the other side and are blown to pieces. Robertson now leads his platoon in a mine clearing operation. Casually smell.
But Robertson's luck holds. With the Sig River cross, the 97th Infantry Division moves northwestward on a drive to Dusseldorf. This time the division is on the same side of the Rhine and can watch an assault on the German city over roads. Nonetheless, the division has to fight its way there. And Robertson and the other combat engineers have to clear obstacles and mines and repair damaged roads and bridges.
all while under fire. Dusseldorf Falls on april eighteenth, nineteen forty five. marking the end of German resistance in the Ruhr Pocket. There's no rest for the 97 though. Robertson and his combat engineers, and everyone else.
Are trucked more than 300 miles southeast to the German border with Czechoslovakia. Their mission is to capture the German-held Czech city of Cheb with its munitions factories. The fighting is fierce. and the combat engineers are in the thick of it. Robertson is blown off his feet when a German artillery round explodes and shrapnel tears into his leg.
He treats the wound himself, wraps the leg, and goes back to leading his platoon. Yeah. The 97th secures Cheb on April 25th. But the division continues to fight in other German-held areas in Czechoslovakia. despite his wound, Robertson remains with his troops and continues to fight till May 7th.
When Admiral Durnitz, the acting head of the German state, Following Hitler's death, announces an unconditional surrender. The war in Europe is is over.
Meanwhile, the war in the Pacific is still raging, especially on the island of Okinawa, which is a slaughterhouse. Japan is not about to surrender. And it looks like US will have to invade the Japanese home islands. U.S. strategists estimate That such an invasion will result in one million American casualties.
And you've been listening to Dr. Roger McGrath, who's the author of Gunfighters, Highwaymen, and Vigilantes: Violence on the Frontier, and a U.S. Marine digging in and telling the story of Dale Robertson. And there are dozens of stories that Dr. McGrath has told about actors.
And entertainers who did what they were supposed to do. As we learned from Dale Robinson, Uncle Sam had other ideas, more important ideas with my time than my career. It's sort of universal in its day for the actors of their day: big stars, little stars, wannabes. They all went. When we come back, more of the life of Dale Robertson.
Here on Our American Stories. This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks.
Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org. Flowers fade, cards get tossed, but a personalized song? That lasts forever. Surprise someone you love with a custom song made just for them with Joybox. Visit joybox.studio to get started on your personalized song today.
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Take it away, Roger. The 97th Infantry Division is relatively fresh. and it's one of the Army Divisions Europe that is transferred to the Pacific. In late June 1945, Now First Lieutenant Robertson. and the others sailed from France to New York.
After a well-deserved leave, They travel by train to Seattle. to board the attack transport ship. USS Grundy. By the time Grundy is ready to sail, The atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki convinces Japan to surrender. Robertson and his combat engineers will now be going not as an invasion force.
but as occupation troops. and arrives at Yokohama. on september twenty five. The division remains on occupation duty for six months. Before returning to the United States and being deactivated at the end of March 1946.
Dale Robertson was born in Hera in 1923. He was wounded twice and awarded bronze and silver stars and the Purple Heart during World War II. Robertson is now home and released from duty. At six feet and a vlog 185 pounds, Robertson briefly thinks about a return to the ring. but his leg still bothers him from the shrapnel wound.
and he sets his sights on Hollywood. He plays minor, uncredited roles in two movies in 1948. He's in another uncredited role as a lifeguard in 1949. 1950 is his breakout year. With more substantial and credited roles in three Westerns, two starring Randolph Scott.
Although Robertson will appear in movies other than Westerns throughout the 1950s and 60s, His work in Westerns wins him the most fans and critical acclaim. Robertson gets his first star billing in 1951 in The Golden Girl. followed by three more leading man roles in movies in 1952. including as John Oakhurst. In a screen adaptation of the famous Bret Hart story.
The Outcasts of Poker Flat. Ladies, it's a pleasure to have made your acquaintance. Where are you going? Up over the hill to Sandy Bar. Don't you think we ought to stick together?
Why, miss? We just gotta run out of town together. We didn't get married. What about San Francisco? Fine city.
But not for me. You'd rather take a chance on another one of these shanty towns? Mm-hmm. I should think you'd be embarrassed. I've also been embarrassed in San Francisco.
Robertson stars in Four Westerns in 1953. including the silver whip. with Rory Calhoun and Robert Wagner in supporting roles. One of his two movies in 1954 is The Gambler from Natchez. Looking back on his career, Robertson said this was his favorite of his movies.
After my father was killed, there was a marked deck found on the table. How much did you charge Henri Rivoisch for that paper? I assure you I would never do such a thing to your father, never. He was my good friend. You're round, Cadiz.
My father was only a customer, nothing more. You have no friends. In 1955, in Top of the World, he stars as a jet pilot stationed in Alaska. And also in 1955 in Son of Sinbad, he stars as Sinbad. A tale straight out of A Thousand and One Arabian Nights.
You mean you plan to keep us here? For all time. And for what we may offer men like yourselves, it should not prove a fate to be lamented.
Well then may I offer a counterproposal? Return with us to Baghdad. Since I'm to be knighted second in command of the Caliph... I'll demand that you be allowed to return without fear of being impounded. What say you?
No, no, no, no. Keep the men here. There's your answer, my friends. Escort them to their quarters. Oh, no, wait a minute.
I demand to be heard. What Sinbad has offered you is not only freedom from royal jurisdiction, but from something of much greater importance. Freedom from loneliness. If you accept his proposal, you will once again be free to sing with men, dance with men, laugh with men, love with men, marry and bear the children of men, find peace and understanding with men.
Well, what do you say? Yeah! Yeah! In nineteen fifty-seven, Not only does he star in perhaps his best western Hell Canyon Outlaws, with Brian Keith playing his antagonist. But Robertson begins a T V series.
that makes him famous. Tales of Wells Fargo. The series is Tales of Wells Fargo. Robertson stars as Special Agent Jim Hardy in all 201 episodes. Party is loosely based on a real-life detective for Wells Fargo.
Jim Hume. There's also a large number of young actors making guest appearances who will go on to fame and fortune. including Steve McQueen. I got a girl. We want to get married.
Go to Mexico and make a fresh start. That's gospel, Jim. You helped me find my girl. And I give you my pledged word. I'll get over across that border.
That's the last a wealth Fargo will ever see of me. And I don't go back on my word. I believe you. Chuck Connors. Charles Brunson, Robert Vaughan, James Coburn.
You're real. Noble fella, ain't ya, Hardy. Willing to put your head on a platter for old.
Well, Fargo, You see, I learned. A man Just like you. Played it. straight right down the line. That's why he's dead.
He's my brother. And the war came and He had his head filled with a bunch of words like Honor. Duty.
Well, they shipped what was left of him back in a box. You're both fools. Lee Van Cleith and Jack Elam. Also making an appearance in the series. In probably the majority of the episodes, is Dale Robertson's own horse, Jubilee.
A chestnut geoman with a white blaze on his face and four white stockings. At Jubilee, that's my house.
Now I'm Dale Robertson. I played Jim Hardy on Wells Fargo for Pell Mel Famous Cigarettes. Remember. With Bell Mel, you can light either end and get satisfying flavor.
So friendly to your taste. During the series, and for three decades after the series ends in 1962. Robertson continues to appear in movies. His last is at age 70 in 1993 in Wind in the Wire. Playing himself alongside Randy Travis, Murt Reynolds, and Chuck Norris.
Okay. Gail Robertson spends his later years raising and training horses on a ranch he owns. What got you out of your ranch in Oklahoma to come back and do a television series? I thought you kind of said, hey, enough of Hollywood. Still going to do it.
You ever hear about the oil industry? Yeah. You hear about them banks going under? Meet one.
So he came back to television, huh? Yeah. Well, when you were working out here, you were never part of the, what you call, I guess, the Hollywood scene much. You were a rather private individual. No, I soon.
You were out here in the days when I was considered the thing to do. Go here, be seen. Yeah. I lived out in the valley, way out in the valley. Yeah.
And we always had horses, and I just. I'd come to work and go home and that was about it. He dies in 2013 in La Jolla, California. close to the site of a World War Two Camp Callan, where he trained for amphibious assaults as Lieutenant Robertson. Platoon Leader of 2nd Platoon, C Company.
322nd Combat Engineers. 97th Infantry Division. And a terrific job on the production, editing, and storytelling by our own Greg Hengler. And a special thanks to Dr. Roger McGrath.
And my goodness, what he did in World War II and what was required of so many of his soldiers, they helped liberate Europe. They get sent back to America, Robertson does, and he's shipped across to Seattle where they're preparing him to join the invasion forces in Japan.
Some reward for defeating Hitler. Luckily for him and the rest of the soldiers in the Pacific and ready to go to the Pacific from Seattle and elsewhere. The atomic bombs were dropped. The war ended. He still went to Yokohama.
and stayed there for six months, but not part of an invasion force. But part of an occupation force. There for six months. 1950 was his breakout. The breakout show was Tales of Wells Fargo.
And of course later on in life coming back into the business.
Well, because he needed to. The story of Dale Robertson, heroism at its finest, and sacrifice, part of our Hollywood Goes to War series here. on our American stories. This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org. Flowers fade, cards get tossed, but a personalized song? That lasts forever.
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