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ROY ROGERS' PRIZED SADDLE BRINGS $412,500 AT AUCTION

Proceeds To Help Pay Estate Tax Bill

Jan. 19, 2002 -- Forced by the IRS to settle the "King of the Cowboys" family's estate tax bill, Roy "Dusty" Rogers, Jr. and other family members auctioned the singing cowboy's prized saddle and 36 other Western memorabilia items at the High Noon Western Collectibles Auction in Mesa, AZ.

The gold, sterling silver and ruby-studded saddle brought $412,500 and a separate buyer purchased the matching chaps and spurs for $257,500. The anonymous bidder purchased the saddle as a surprise Valentines Day gift for his wife inspired, according to the buyer, by "the everlasting love that Roy shared with Dale."

While the John McCabe built saddle had been one of five on display at the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum in Victorville, CA, according to Dusty the one auctioned was "the premiere" in terms of its jewelry but not the one the star rode in most of his movies or appearances. At the time of its construction in 1931 it cost $20,000 and took six months for 16 silversmiths to produce. It contains more than 1,400 ounces of silver, 136 ounces of gold and 500 rubies. Roy Rogers, who first saw it at a Rose Parade, purchased it in 1949 for $50,000.

Also on the auction block were Dale Evans' Bohlin saddle ($57,750), Roy's Rose Parade boots ($19,000), an Olaf Weighorst "Trigger" oil painting ($25,000), Roy's favorite red, white & blue plastic parade saddle ($41,250) as well as the couple's "Nudie's" outfits, hats, wool jackets and movie posters. Proceeds from the event will not clear the entire tax bill of "well over $1 million," said the late star's son.

ROY AND DALE TO RIDE AGAIN

March 26, 2002 --Roy Rogers and Dale Evans will ride again, thanks to producers Lawrence Bender and Kevin Brown who have picked up the rights from the Rogers estate.

The producers just signed a deal with Roy "Dusty" Rogers Jr. and Jeffrey Kramer, who represent Roy Rogers Family Entertainment for film, TV and the merchandising rights to the estate and likeness of the "King of the Cowboys" and "Queen of the West."

The pact is an overall deal to produce films and TV programs starring actors playing Rogers and Evans. The couple appeared in 88 features and 100 episodes of their popular TV series.

There will also be a TV special featuring contemporary country artists singing the star's standards including their signature tune "Happy Trails," which was written by Dale Evans.

This is an interesting project for Bender, who is best known for producing violent action pictures including "Pulp Fiction" starring Quentin Tarantino (a huge RR fan) and "Kill Bill," starring Warren Beatty and Uma Thurman, which is currently in production.

The projects will be family fare, but the actors to portray the famed Western stars have not been set. No word either on who will play Trigger and Bullet.