KANAB — Dale Robertson started out as a prizefighter. And the first time he was approached about being in movies, he wasn't much interested. Then came World War II, and he joined the Army, stationed in San Luis Obispo.
On leave one weekend, he found himself in Hollywood on a sightseeing trip. He went to a photographic studio to have his picture taken for his mother. The photographer liked the picture so much he put it in his window, where movie agents spotted it.
On to fame and fortune for Dale Robertson? Not exactly. He was still more interested in boxing. Not until German mortar fire in the knee put an end to that career did he again think of movies.
In 1949, he landed his first role as Jesse James in "Fighting Men of the Plains," which was followed shortly by "Caribou Trail." It was the beginning of a career that would establish him as one of Hollywood's premiere bigger-than-life cowboys.
But Robertson also starred on the little screen in such series as "Wells Fargo," from 1957-62; "The Iron Horse," from 1966-68; and as host of "Death Valley Days," from 1968 to 1972.
In all there are more than 500 credits on his resume.
"Death Valley Days" was shot in Kanab, and he has fond memories of that time, he said. "It's nice to be back. Of course, nowadays, it's nice to be anywhere."
Robertson was in Kanab for his induction into the Walk of Fame as part of the 3rd Annual Western Legends Round-up, and he took some time to reminisce about his movie career.
His favorite movie? "Gambler From Natchez."
His favorite leading lady? There were two: Debra Paget and Betty Grable.
His favorite horse? An animal named Jubilee. "I loved that horse. He'd do anything in the world for you — unless you tried to make him do it. He loved to go out early and go on a run. If we did that, he'd be a perfect horse the rest of the day. But if we didn't get out and run, he'd be grouchy all day."
Robertson has always had a passion for horses and now raises them in Oklahoma. "I have to confess I'm not a cowboy; I'm a horseman. If I'd raised cows, they'd have all had names and ribbons in their hair. I could never have shipped them off to be sold for food."
But in addition to horses, Robertson said he worked with great people over the years. "I never did work with John Ford. But I worked with Henry Hathaway, who had a reputation as a tough director. Everyone was scared of him. Before the movie, he came up to me and said, 'Once things get started, I get uptight and nervous, and sometimes I blow up and say things I later regret. So be prepared.'
"I told him, 'I know what you mean. Sometimes when someone yells at me in public, I get mad and pop him one. And I always feel bad after.' You know, he never raised his voice to me."
Robertson appeared in other movies besides Westerns — mysteries, adventure films, TV series such as "Dallas" and "Dynasty."
But the Westerns always held special meaning for him because of the people they portrayed. "You look at the people who came West. They left their homes, their security, everything they knew to come out for what they didn't know. And that tradition has carried through. This is a great group of people here today. They are not lazy people. You didn't make it in the West if you were lazy."
Robertson has few kind words for movies that are being made today. "What do I think of modern-day films? I can't use that kind of language with ladies present. They're making crap and calling it art. And it's having a bad influence on today's young people."
He was very fortunate, he said, "to have been involved in this industry when it was at its best."
Robertson hopes Westerns will come back someday. In fact, he's been writing a few. "I've got seven of them done. All I'm waiting for is someone with a check that'll clear the bank." He recently had contact with some people in Switzerland.
E-mail: carma@desnews.com