Trigger
ActingAbout Trigger
Trigger made an early appearance as the mount of Maid Marian, played by Olivia de Havilland in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). A short while later, when Roy Rogers was preparing to make his first movie in a starring role, he was offered a choice of five rented "movie" horses to ride and chose him. Rogers bought him eventually in 1943 for his quickness of both foot and mind. Trigger learned 150 trick cues and could walk 50 feet on his hind legs (according to sources close to Roy Rogers). They were said to have run out of places to cue Trigger. Trigger was ridden by Rogers in many of his motion pictures, becoming much loved by the youthful audience that saw him on film and in Rogers' 1950s television series with his wife Dale Evans, who rode her trusty buckskin Quarter Horse Buttermilk.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Trigger reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Western
The majority of Trigger's filmography leans towards the Western genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 34% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Trigger remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in South of Caliente, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Trigger Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Trigger's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Trigger.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | It's Showtime | Trigger (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | Alias Jesse James | Trigger (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Son of Paleface | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Pals of the Golden West | Trigger | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | South of Caliente | Trigger | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | In Old Amarillo | Trigger - Roy's Horse | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Heart of the Rockies | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Spoilers of the Plains | Trigger | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Trail of Robin Hood | Trigger The Smartest Horse in the West | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | North of the Great Divide | Trigger | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Sunset in the West | Trigger - Roy's Horse | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Trigger, Jr. | Trigger - The Smartest Horse in the Movies | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | Twilight in the Sierras | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Golden Stallion | Trigger - Roy's Horse | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | Down Dakota Way | Trigger | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Susanna Pass | Trigger - Roy's Horse | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | The Far Frontier | Trigger - Roy's Horse | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | Night Time in Nevada | Trigger - Roy's Horse | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | Eyes of Texas | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | Melody Time | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | On the Old Spanish Trail | Trigger | Flop | Similar → |
| 1947 | Apache Rose | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Out California Way | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Heldorado | Trigger - Roy's Horse | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Home in Oklahoma | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Roll on Texas Moon | The Smartest Horse in the Movies | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | My Pal Trigger | Trigger, Smartest Horse in the Movies | Flop | Similar → |
| 1946 | Rainbow Over Texas | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Don't Fence Me In | Trigger | Flop | Similar → |
| 1945 | Sunset in El Dorado | Trigger | Flop | Similar → |
| 1945 | Along the Navajo Trail | Trigger | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Man from Oklahoma | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Bells of Rosarita | Trigger | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | Hollywood Canteen | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Lights of Old Santa Fe | Trigger | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | Song of Nevada | Trigger, Roy's Horse | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Yellow Rose of Texas | Roy's Horse | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Hands Across the Border | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | King of the Cowboys | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Idaho | Trigger (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Ridin' Down the Canyon | Trigger | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Sunset Serenade | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Sons of the Pioneers | Trigger | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Romance on the Range | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Sunset on the Desert | Trigger | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Man from Cheyenne | Roy's Horse | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Red River Valley | Trigger | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Sheriff of Tombstone | Brett's Horse | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Rodeo Dough | Trigger | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Adventures of Robin Hood | Maid Marian's Horse | Super Hit | Similar → |
Trigger - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Trigger?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Trigger is "South of Caliente" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Trigger acted in?
Trigger has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Trigger?
Other notable films include "Pals of the Golden West", "North of the Great Divide", and "Along the Navajo Trail".