Hopalong Cassidy rides again for new book
Derham Groves, a Melbourne researcher, has begun writing a book about a hysterical chapter in Australia’s history. Groves is looking forward to hearing from people who were there in 1954 when Hopalong Cassidy wowed the whole of Melbourne.
Speaking about his memories, Groves said:
Crowds went wild as Hopalong drove around Albert Park, and rode a horse on Lonsdale Street. He almost caused a riot in a crowded circus tent as non-paying customers snuck in under the canvas. Groves is an authority on old-time stars venturing to Australia, and has previously had a book published about the 1939 visit of the pinup Chinese-American actress Anna May Wong.
When Hopalong first arrived in Darwin for a few days’ rest, word got out. Aboriginal stockmen of the Northern Territory rode more than 400 kilometres dressed in their best Hollywood cowboy clothes to see him. In Melbourne, Hopalong’s circus show visit became so overwhelming that police had to utilise two circus elephants to control the crowd.
Robert McMahon, who was there at the time, said:
Hopalong Cassidy memorabilia, including comic books, movie posters, and badges, fetches a high price among collectors. Paraphernalia can be preserved by utilising print company restoration solutions, such as lamination.
Speaking about his memories, Groves said:
“It’s incredible to think that 60,000 people turned up at Albert Park to see him drive a truck. He wasn’t a singer, and wasn’t performing a show. It was just Hopalong making an appearance.”
Crowds went wild as Hopalong drove around Albert Park, and rode a horse on Lonsdale Street. He almost caused a riot in a crowded circus tent as non-paying customers snuck in under the canvas. Groves is an authority on old-time stars venturing to Australia, and has previously had a book published about the 1939 visit of the pinup Chinese-American actress Anna May Wong.
When Hopalong first arrived in Darwin for a few days’ rest, word got out. Aboriginal stockmen of the Northern Territory rode more than 400 kilometres dressed in their best Hollywood cowboy clothes to see him. In Melbourne, Hopalong’s circus show visit became so overwhelming that police had to utilise two circus elephants to control the crowd.
Robert McMahon, who was there at the time, said:
“I can remember shaking his hand and most of all that smile he had, he never seemed to lose it. I thought it the biggest thing that ever happened to me.”
Hopalong Cassidy memorabilia, including comic books, movie posters, and badges, fetches a high price among collectors. Paraphernalia can be preserved by utilising print company restoration solutions, such as lamination.