Peggy Stewart - Cowboy and Serial Heroine

Born in Florida in 1923, Peggy Stewart and family moved to California in the 1930s, and she was lucky enough to play the teenage daughter of Joel McCrea in WELLS FARGO (1936). By the 1940s, she was the resident heroine at Republic to cowboy stars Wild Bill Elliott, Sunset Carson, Allan Lane and others. In the early 1940s, she was married to Republic western hero Don "Red" Barry.

Peggy was under a term players contract at Republic from April, 1944 through March, 1947 --- this simply meant that for security and a regular paycheck, Republic could utilize her as much as they wanted. From 1944-1951, she appeared in about 35 films at Republic, most of which were serials and westerns.

When I was growing up in Georgia during the early 1950s, I recall that westerns were among the first films released to TV. Republic Pictures had their Hollywood Television Service releasing arm, and among the movies on the little screen were the Bill Elliott/Red Ryder adventures ... and Peggy Stewart was in a lot of those.

When I saw her, I was amazed that she generally portrayed a savvy, smart and tough heroine who often was hot-tempered ... she was definitely NOT the passive heroine that was typical of the female roles in many other westerns.

Peggy's sister, Olympic swimmer Patricia O'Rourke, was married to World War II Navy flier/hero Wayne Morris, who did many films for Warners as well as a series of westerns in the 1950s at Monogram/Allied Artists.

Western and serial fan Mark Tourin spotted Peggy in a Seinfeld episode. According to IMDB she appeared as 'Aunt May' in an episode titled 'The Implant', which was first aired in 1990. Mark remembers her doing a great job 'playing it straight' as the aunt of the temporary girl friend of George Costanza at a wake, of all things.

Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) has information on Peggy Stewart: http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0829726/

Bill Ruehlmann did an interview with Peggy Stewart for Classic Images: http://www.classicimages.com/1999/july99/stewart.html

(From Old Corral image collection)
Peggy with Sunset Carson

(From Old Corral image collection)
Peggy with Gene Autry

(From Old Corral image collection)

Above, from L-to-R are Tom London, Allan Lane with Peggy Stewart in his arms, whiskered Emmett Lynn, Pierce Lyden, and in the front is Bobby Blake as Little Beaver. From RUSTLERS OF DEVIL'S CANYON (Republic, 1947), one of the Red Ryder adventures. Did I mention that Peggy wasn't the typical passive heroine?

(Courtesy of Minard Coons)

Above are Jim Bannon (as Red Ryder) and Peggy Stewart in a lobby card from RIDE, RYDER, RIDE (Eagle Lion, 1949), one of a quartet of Red Ryder adventures starring Bannon. Stewart also was the heroine to Bannon in THE FIGHTING REDHEAD (Eagle Lion, 1950).

(From Old Corral image collection)

Above, Bill Elliott and Stewart are re-united in KANSAS TERRITORY (Monogram, 1952).

(Courtesy of Minard Coons)

Above, a 1970s photo of Peggy Stewart, great heroine and love interest in many Republic horse operas. Minard Coons reports that Peggy resides in Studio City, California, a couple of blocks from where I. Stanford Jolley lived. Stewart and Jolley were neighbors back in the 1970s.

(Courtesy of Larry Blanks)

Above, Larry Blanks with Republic leading lady, Peggy Stewart, circa 1992? at one of the annual film/nostalgia conventions in Atlanta.

(Courtesy of Donn & Nancy Moyer)

Above, Republic heroine Peggy Stewart and Donn Moyer at the 2000 Lone Pine Festival.