Keep ‘Em Rolling

On October 11, 1933, the Washington Evening Star reported that Walter Huston would arrive to begin filming a movie at Fort Myer. The movie “Keep ‘Em Rolling” would be released in 1934. It was filmed at Fort Myer with the 16th Field Artillery and the 3rd Cavalry regiment riding in an action background.
Walter Huston stars as Sergeant Benny Walsh, a U.S. Army artilleryman who, after a tavern brawl, is demoted to private in the horse battery on Fort Myer. Benny takes on the job of breaking in a beautiful but fiesty stallion, named Rodney. Benny works with the horse, transforming him into the ideal companion. When the US enters World War I, Benny’s regiment is shipped overseas. During a fierce battle, the horse is wounded and is about to be shot when Benny threatens to kill anyone who touches the horse. The horse is spared and Benny, who is also injured recuperates and returns to Fort Myer with Rodney. Years later, an aging Rodney is threatened with expulsion from the Fort and Benny accepts a demotion to stay with him. The War Department decides to retire Rodney with honors and give Benny, who has been captured by the military police for being AWOL, a special assignment to care for his friend until his own retirement.
This film is based on the real-life story written by Leonard Hastings Nason that appeared on January 21, 1933, issue of the Saturday Evening Post magazine. The story is about an army horse called Rodney. The real Rodney served in the Spanish-American War (not World War I as in the film) and was almost sold at auction until members of the 3rd Field Artillery chipped in to purchase and keep him. Rodney lived to the age of 30 and died at Fort Myer.
The movie did not win any Academy Awards, but it must have thrilled Arlingtonians to see the film in theaters, knowing it was filmed just down the road at Fort Myer.