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The Cowboy & the Senorita: A Biography of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
Dale Evans dreamed of starring as the lead in a film version of Oklahoma, but Republic president Herbert Yates had other plans for the actress. He wanted her to play opposite the studio’s star cowboy in the film The Cowboy and the Senorita.
Dale’s only experience in westerns had been a small role as a saloon singer in a John Wayne picture, and she was not a skilled rider. She committed herself to doing her very best, however, in the role of the “Senorita,” Ysobel Martinez.
The picture was released in 1944 and was a huge success. Theatre managers and audiences alike encouraged studio executives at Republic to quickly re-team Dale and Roy in another western.
In between her film jobs, Dale toured military bases in the United States and the USO. She sang to troops on bivouac, from Louisiana to Texas. She was proud to think she was bringing a little sunshine into the hearts of the soldiers.
Dale also brought sunshine into the hearts of moviegoers, and ticket sales were evidence of that. Republic had happened onto the perfect western team. Dale was a sassy, sophisticated leading lady and the perfect foil for Roy, the patient, singing cowboy.
