The Horses

Bill Elliott (above) rode a black named Thunder in the Republic Red Ryder films of the mid 1940s.

Above, Allan Lane with the black Thunder during his days as Republic's Red Ryder. Is this the same horse that Elliott owned and used when he was Red Ryder? Appears that the answer is 'yes'.

(Courtesy of Betty Richards (maiden name: Betty Hartzell)

After the Red Ryder series concluded, Allan Lane became 'Rocky' Lane and rode Black Jack in a lengthy series at Republic Pictures. Black Jack was Lane's earlier mount 'Thunder' in the Red Ryder westerns.

Thunder and Black Jack Were the Same Horse

Lynn and Shery Jespersen are horse breeders and fans of the Morgan horse. Shery sent the following tidbit to me: "Wild Bill Elliot purchased the Morgan, Andy Pershing 8390, from his breeder C. G. Stevenson. He was the horse THUNDER in the Red Ryder movies ... " from The Morgan Horse (official Morgan Breed Journal and magazine), February 1945, page 27.

Shery also advised me of a Morgan Horse website which has some info on movie horses. The following link will open an Adobe Acrobat pdf file: http://www.2wfmorganclub.com/pdf_files/morgansinmovies.pdf

On that page, the article by Susan Graf includes the following (quote):

"The famous black horse, Thunder, who was known the world over as the mount of "Wild Bill" Elliott in the Red Rider [SIC] movies was the Morgan stallion, ANNDY PERSHING 8390. He was later owned by film star Allan Lane. [Information from Morgan Horse Directory, Northern California Morgan Horse Club, 1969, p.3

Anndy Pershing was bred by C. G. Stevenson of Des Moines, Iowa and was foaled in 1940. His sire was General Pershing (Successful by St. L x Black Dolly), and his dam was Ann Barlett (Barney Hudson x Miga by Winterset)

Anndy Pershing was the sire of 11 Morgans who were foaled from 1943 to 1957. The Morgan Horse Register Volume VI shows that Anndy Pershing had transfers to the following owners: C. G. Stevenson. C. G. and Beatrice Stevenson, Horseshoe Cattle Co. (1941), Mrs. Anna K. Zeitler (1942), Berman Stock Farm, Inc. (1943), Bill Elliott (1943), and Allan Lane (1946). "

(Courtesy of Les Adams)

Prior to becoming Red Ryder or 'Rocky' Lane, Allan Lane rode Banner in a series at Republic. Earlier, Don Barry rode the same horse --- click HERE for a photo of Barry and Banner. Above are Lane, Linda Stirling and Banner in a scene from TOPEKA TERROR.

(Courtesy of Les Adams)

In all 23 Red Ryder features that were churned out by Republic, Robert 'Bobby' Blake played Little Beaver and road Papoose. Above is Blake with Bill Elliott.