(From Old Corral collection) During his serials and early western series at Universal, Johnny Mack Brown rode a white steed prior to settling in on a palomino that he named Reno/Rebel. Ron McKnight viewed FLAMING FRONTIERS and notes that Johnny called that white horse Scout in that serial. The B&W photo above and the color-retouched promotional piece below seem to be of the same image ... you be the judge. The spinning globe logo on the left side border of the color image shows Universal Pictures. (Courtesy of Bob Tomko) (Courtesy of Les Adams) Johnny Mack Brown most often rode a white horse during his Universal serials and a palomino in his westerns. As with most everything, there were exceptions. Above is Johnny Mack on a paint in VALLEY OF THE LAWLESS (Supreme, 1936), one of his series for producer A. William Hackel. In his films for Hackel, JMB usually rode a white or a brown hoss. In VALLEY, he loses his brown mount, and about twelve minutes into the film, he shows up ridin' this paint. Some folks have asked if this horse was trainer Ralph McCutcheon's Dice (Pair O'Dice) or Diablo which was ridden by Duncan Renaldo, TV's Cisco Kid. The answer is Nope! (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from left to right are Ed Cassidy, Brown and pretty Frances Robinson in a scene from DESPERATE TRAILS (Universal, 1939), Brown's first series western at Universal. (Courtesy of Minard Coons) Above, Johnny Mack Brown at full gallop on his palomino hoss during his series at Universal.  As best I can determine, the hoss' original name was Reno, but was changed to Rebel when Johnny Mack was at Monogram in the 1940s.  The reason for the name change --- his female co-star in several films at Monogram was Reno Blair (Reno Browne).  Brown used several different palominos during his starring career, and in the later Monogram films, you can easily spot the different horse as it is darker. (Courtesy of Minard Coons) Above, Johnny Mack Brown atop his palomino hoss Reno/Rebel during his cowboy series at Universal. And now, for a bit of controversy and mystery!        The picture on the left is Johnny Mack Brown rearing a horse that is supposedly named Royal ... and Brown's range costume appears to be from his Universal days.  The picture on the right is part of a lobby card from one of Bob Baker's Universal oaters, and Baker is on his hoss Apache (you can see the complete lobby card by clicking HERE).  Certainly looks like the same animal.  Take a look at the photo below. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above - Bob Baker and the rearing Apache in a scene from WESTERN TRAILS (Universal, 1938). (Courtesy of Minard Coons) Above, Universal cowboy hero Bob Baker rode a paint named Apache in his own series of the late 1930s as well as when he was the second lead to Johnny Mack Brown.  Minard Coons knew Baker and adds the following tidbit --- "Bob Baker told me that he sold Apache to Montie Montana.  Seems Apache was not a gentle horse and Monte was the only one who could ride him." Walt Weed (Bob Baker's son) and I communicated during December 1999, and Walt confirmed that his dad sold Apache to Montie Montana. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from L-to-R are Fuzzy Knight, Ferris Taylor (in suit), Johnny Mack Brown, and Bob Baker (who's not riding Apache) in CHIP OF THE FLYING U (Universal, 1939). Several unidentifieds in the background.