Gene Autry's first feature for Republic Pictures Corp. was "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," filmed in 1935 at Ernie Hickson's Western movie town in Placerita Canyon. Autry is seen here in this lobby card in front of some of the wooden buildings, which Hickson by now had moved to the corner of Oak Springs and Placerita Canyon Road. Hickson would lease the town to Republic's rival, Monogram Pictures, and the town came to be known as the Monogram Ranch. In 1952, following Hickson's death, Autry purchased the movie set and renamed it "Melody Ranch." In 1962 the buildings burned down as a wildfire consumed the canyons surrounding the Santa Clarita Valley. Autry sold off the property in pieces; Paul, Renaud and Andre Valuzat picked up the 10-acre area where the buildings were located and rebuilt them off of old photographs.

"Tumbling Tumbleweeds," 61 minutes, stars Autry and his sidekick Smiley Burnette as themselves; Lucille Browne as Jerry; George "Gabby" Hayes as Dr. Parker; Norma Taylor as Janet; Edward Hearn as gang leader Barney Craven; Eugene Jackson as Eightball; Jack Rockwell as McQuade; George Chesebro as Connors; Frankie Marvin as Shorty; and Slim Whitaker as Higgins. Also appearing are George Burton as the Sheriff; Horace B. Carpenter; Tommy Coats; Oscar Gahan; Joseph W. Girard; Henry Hall; Cornelius Keefe; Charles King; Tracy Layne; Tom London; Cliff Lyons; Bud McClure; George Morrell; and Bud Pope. Directed by Joseph Kane; written by Ford Beebe and Alan Ludwig; produced by Nat Levine.

Further reading: Memories of the Place I Called Melody Ranch by Gene Autry, Old Town Newhall Gazette, 1995.