Horton recently celebrated his 80th birthday, and he looks back on a satisfying career. He, too, feels honored to be remembered for his cowboy roles. "As actors, we don't have a lot of contact with the public. I really had no idea how fans felt about me and my shows until I started going to a few old-film festivals."

He remembers one time a man stopped him to say "that he came from a dysfunctional family and he needed a role model growing up. 'I picked you,' he told me, 'and you've served me well all these years. I appreciate it.'

"I've learned that as actors we have an impact on lives that we don't realize, whether it's as a role model or as a crush in a young woman's life. We have no idea what the acting profession does for the audience. But it's enormously satisfying when you find out you've made a difference."

Just like the cowboys of the Old West. "That whole part of American history, the 'Go West young man' era, was a good time," Horton said, adding that the screen cowboys offer a lot to emulate. "They were straight-shooters. They always did the right thing."

---

If you go. . .

What: Western Legends Round-up

When: Tuesday through Aug. 29

Where: Kanab

How much: Daily street festival, free; major events, $20-$25.

Phone: 1-800-733-5263

E-mail: kane@westernlegendsroundup.com

Web: www.westernlegendsroundup.com

---

E-mail: carma@desnews.com