They wound up in Hollywood at the close of the silent film era, and Hayes found some bit parts and minor supporting roles. When sound films arrived, he began doing bit and character parts, including a variety of roles as a baddie, father of the heroine, et al in 1930s vintage sagebrush yarns with John Wayne, Bob Steele, Rex Bell, others. In some jobs, he was clean-shaven, while in others, he was a bearded, tobacco-chewing codger.

He also was on the wrong side of the law --- in John Wayne's THE STAR PACKER (Lone Star/Monogram, 1934), Hayes was Uncle Matt Matlock but wore black as the mysterious outlaw, 'The Shadow'. Hayes did it again in Wayne's RANDY RIDES ALONE (Lone Star/Monogram, 1934) when he was both Marvin Black and 'Mat the Mute'.

His first major role was portraying 'Windy Haliday', the sidekick to Hopalong Cassidy at Paramount. This took a while to happen and Hayes played some different characters in the initial four Hoppy films --- he was 'Uncle Ben' in HOPALONG CASSIDY (Paramount, 1935); 'Spike' in THE EAGLES BROOD (Paramount, 1935); 'Windy' in BAR 20 RIDES AGAIN (Paramount, 1935); and 'Shanghai' in CALL OF THE PRAIRIE (Paramount, 1936).

THREE ON THE TRAIL (Paramount, 1936) was Gabby's first as 'Windy Halliday', and he would continue that role through THE RENEGADE TRAIL (Paramount, 1939). The total Hoppy films in which Hayes played 'Windy Halliday' is eighteen.

In 1939, Hayes switched to Republic Pictures and his first sidekick role with Roy Rogers was in SOUTHWARD HO (Republic, 1939). He did 41 films with Roy Rogers, but these were separated into two bunches --- in between, Hayes was the saddle pal to Wild Bill Elliott in his 1943-1944 series of eight, as well as the first two Red Ryder oaters (which also starred Elliott). During his Republic days, Hayes generally had a screen name of 'Gabby Whittaker'. His last film with Roy was HELDORADO (Republic, 1946).

If you're interested in Hayes' specific Hoppy and Roy films, there are complete filmographies in the Old Corral sections for Hopalong Cassidy/William Boyd and the Hoppy-Gene-Roy piece.

In the 1950s, Gabby had his own NBC TV program, appropriately titled THE GABBY HAYES SHOW, in which he'd introduce/moderate old B westerns that were cut down to about a half-hour length. Gabby's show was nominated for an Emmy award in 1952, but the winner was the BEANY AND CECIL show. In 1954, Gabby also did a part as the host of THE HOWDY DOODY TV show. Hayes even had his own comic book series.

Hayes was in about 190 sound era films, and that total includes 146 westerns and a couple of serials. His work at Republic Pictures, 68 films, were during the period from 1935-1947. Most of these were as sidekicks to Roy Rogers and Wild Bill Elliott.

Though he played a cranky and crotchety oldtimer on film, in real life Hayes was the exact opposite. He was serious, well read and well dressed. He was also well liked by all that knew him and worked with him and even now, he remains one of the most recognized actors of the B western.

Gabby Hayes as Windy Halliday with Jimmy Ellison on left and William Boyd on the right.