Stars fi
Reuben
The age of fast guns of the west, handsome
cowboys, and swift horses is quietly
recaptured on a visit with Reuben Stroud at
his Woodland Acres home near Clinton.
"That's Ronald Reagan as a young movie
star. This is a key to the late Clark Gable's
dressing room. That is a momento I got from
Jesse James's home," remarked Stroud as
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western movie star memorabilia collection
that tells a vivid story about those who captured
the attention of movie goers from the
1930's, 40's and 50's.
"I've travelled hundreds of miles just to
buy a puzzle bearing Roy Roger's photo,"
noted Stroud as he related an interesting
and informative story behind each item in
his collection.
"Movie star puzzles brought fun and excitement
to our young people as their favorite
hero unfolded as they assembled the
pieces."
Most western movie stars that were popular
prior to being displaced by television now
occupy a speciat place in the eyes of hundred
of collectors.
There was a time in history when every
webiern muvie mdner naa nis own type or
promotional materials, much like a politician
attempting to increase identity for public
office, and needless to say, Stroud travels
thousands of miles annually searching
through flea markets, Saturday night auctions,
yard sales, and visiting with fellow
collectors hoping to find a rare item worthy
of a prominent place among his prized possessions.
Western stars, posed with their
favorite horse, female stars, guitars, or western
scenes focus attention on much of passed
events.
Stroud points with pride to a western
branding iron purchased in Texas, a famous
gun slinger's holster found in Arizona, and a
series of photos given him by a family relative
as he relates in detail a story about each
of the western movie makers. Each item has
its own history and this is what makes col
lecung anyxning interesting.
Once an unusual find is made, Stroud
identifies the item and mounts it in a special
manner. Among his treasured possessions
are a Dell Evans ring, a 1935 movie advertisement
featuring Tim McCoy, and a 1930
western Hoot Gibson patch attached to a
child's Arnerican-made flannel shirt. All represent
an era which contributed to the
growth of an expanding continent.
"Western cowboy stars usually captured
the hearts of America as they depicted a
keen interest in law and order and a growing
and expanding country on the Western horizon.
Western movies played a special role in
the lives of many people. Unfortunately, a
fast changing society took its toll on their
popularity," noted Stroud.
i m trying to reconstruct mucn ot tms
history through the items bearing pictures
and information about the western stars. Every
American boy and girl had his own favorite
western hero," stated Stroud as he wove
an interesting fact about hisdisplayof movie
makers.
A favorite past-time for the Clinton Mills
^ Plant No. 2 Loom Technician, is watching
' one of the more than 100 western movies
which he has on video tape These also serve
as a guide for items which can be bought to
tell the story of America's western past.
To make his hobby more meaningful and
rom the
Stroud's Hobby T
Reuben Stroud
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enjoyable, Stroud carefully displays each
item or advertisement comparable to its original
form; other relics are mounted on spe
cial brackets, shelves, or display devices to
increase their authenticity.
"Many people today find the names of
such actors as Buck Jones, Randolph Scott,
Lash Larue, Fred Thompson, The Three
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jene Autry occupies special place in Stroi
Muskateers and others meaningless. I hope
the multitude of knives, badges, puzzles,
books, and other products will preserve the
historical contributins of these actors and,
at least, serve as a reminder of their actual
existence and their contributions to our pre
vious lifestyle."
In addition to many of the relics depicting
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ivie star items.
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a passing era, he has numerous record
albums recorded by the "singing cowboys"
such as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry.
"Although items promoting the movie industry
were produced by the hundreds of
thousands, they have become very scarce in
the last few years. Many collectors will pay
$10 for a $ 25 item," noted Stroud.