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Description
I am honored for to offer many treasured mementoes in my E-Bay store from the estate of “Buddy’ Arnold the late beloved co-owner of the legendary Arco Theatre in Bardstown, Kentucky. Please use my store search tab by typing in (Buddy Arnold) to see a complete list. This particular item is a signed 8 x 10 original photograph of famed western actor Sunset Carson personally inscribed to "Buddy” Arnold in the year 1949.
History Bio on Sunset Carson:
An American cowboy star of "B" westerns who had a brief career in the 1940s, Sunset Carson was born with the decidedly unheroic name of Winifred Maurice Harrison (although he was generally known to his family as Michael or Mick) in Gracemore, Oklahoma. He moved to Plainview, Texas, as a boy and became a successful rodeo rider. Supposedly spotted at a rodeo by Tom Mix, Carson--like Mix, never one to let the truth get in the way of a good story--was given a job in Mix's touring circus/Wild West Show. He also claimed to have appeared in a few bit parts in movies before traveling to South America in 1940 and winning the Champion All-Around Cowboy awards in Buenos Aires (!) two years in a row.
Returning to the US, he got small parts in such films as Stage Door Canteen (1943) and Janie (1944) before being spotted by Republic executive Louis Gray. His size, looks and horsemanship got him a Republic contract as the star of a series of "B" westerns, along with a name change to Sunset Carson. Within two years Carson was #10 on the list of top money-making western stars, but Republic parted ways with him in 1946. According to stuntman Yakima Canutt, Carson attended a studio function drunk and accompanied by an underage girl, and studio head Herbert J. Yates fired him. Carson claimed to have left over business disputes. In any case, he never again achieved the level of success he had had at Republic. After a string of very low-budget westerns for other companies, Carson retired from films in 1985 after making the sci-fi western Alien Outlaw (1985). Sunset Carson toured with Tommy Scott's Country Music Circus and Wild West Show. He replaced Tim McCoy after his death and stayed with them for five seasons. Thereafter he lived in retirement, making film appearances and attending western film conventions.
Historical reference: The 750 seat Arco Theater opened January 16, 1942 with the movie "Tarzan’s Secret Adventure". It was built by C.D. Arnold and Pope Sisco at a cost of $60,000.00. The name comes from the first two letters of their last name. Seating was staggered for excellent site lines. The Melody Theater was located next door at 218 N. 3rd Street. The Arco Theater had a balcony which was designated for African Americans. By 1950 it was operated by Affiliated Theaters Inc. of Indianapolis, IN.
The Arco Theater closed December 31, 1965 with the last feature shown being "Mary Poppins". In 2002 the Arco Theater and the Melody Theater next door were bought by Dzevad Kresco and a two year remodel and restoration took place. In 2004 the former theaters were reopened as the Kresco Restaurant. Many of the theater's features were preserved and are in use in the restaurant.
*This is an excellent article online in Kentucky living magazine concerning Buddy’s widow named Si Arnold who at age 97 in 2017 is a legend in her own right as a theatrical costume designer.
REF: Archival Container B
