part three page three
Born Ina Rosenberg on 12 November 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, USA, Brooklyn-native actress Ina Balin was born into a Jewish family. Her first big break occurred in New York when she appeared on Perry Como's 1950s TV show. Gathering additional experience on the summer stock stage, she made her Broadway debut in a female lead with "Compulsion" in 1957. Two years later the dark-haired, olive-skinned beauty won a Theatre World Award for her performance in the Broadway comedy "A Majority of One" starring Gertrude Berg. That same year Ina Balin landed her first film, a prime part in The Black Orchid 1958 starring Sophia Loren and Anthony Quinn in the sensitive role of Quinn's grownup daughter. Considered one of 20th Century Fox's most promising new talents, she received a special "International Star of Tomorrow" Golden Globe for this early work. Ina appeared in only one movie with John, Ina passed away on 20 June 1990, in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Picture from The Comancheros 1961.
Al St. John born Alfred St. John on 10 September 1893 in Santa Ana, California, USA, Silent-film comic who appeared in dozens of Mack Sennett's early Keystone comedies and would eventually create and star in his own vehicles for other studios. With the advent of sound, he became a character actor in westerns and later the be-whiskered sidekick of B-western heroes like Buster Crabbe, Robert Livingston and Lash La Rue. Al appeared in two movies with John, Picture from Riders of Destiny 1933. Al passed away on 21 January 1963 in Lyons, Georgia, USA.
Colleen Dewhurst born on 3 June 1924 Montréal, Québec, Canada, Legendary, Studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. The husky-voiced actress, famous for her performances in Eugene O'Neill plays, whose strong presence graced far too few movies. She played supporting roles in The Nun's Story 1959, A Fine Madness 1966, The Cowboys 1972,( as a madam), McQ 1974,( as John Wayne's love interest), Ice Castles 1979, The Dead Zone 1983, and The Boy Who Could Fly 1986, and cut an imposing figure as Diane Keaton's ultra-WASP mother in Annie Hall 1977. Revered on Broadway, she achieved greater audience recognition toward the end of her career for her TV work, in the acclaimed miniseries "Anne of Green Gables" and its offshoots, and as Candice Bergen's tough-talking mother on the TV sitcom "Murphy Brown," which earned her two Emmy Awards. In 1991 she appeared onscreen with her son (by actor George C. Scott) Campbell Scott in Dying Young The Canadian-made Termini Station filmed in 1989, was released in the U.S. after her death, so was Bed and Breakfast (1992), filmed in 1989, Picture from McQ 1974, Colleen passed away on 22 August 1991 in South Salem, New York, USA.
William Frawley born William Clement Frawley on 26 February 1887 in Burlington, Iowa, USA, William was born in Burlington, Iowa. As a boy he sang at St. Paul's Catholic Church and played at the Burlington Opera House. His first job was as a stenographer for the Union Pacific Railroad. He did vaudeville with his brother Paul, then joined pianist Franz Rath in an act they took to San Francisco. After four years, in 1914 he formed a light comedy act with his new wife Edna Louise Broedt, "Frawley and Louise," touring the Orpheum and Keith circuits until they divorced in 1927. He next moved to Broadway and then, in 1932, to Hollywood with Paramount. By 1951, when he contacted Lucille Ball about a part in her TV show, he had performed in over 100 films. His Fred Mertz role lasted until the show ended in 1960 after which he did a five year stint on "My Three Sons." Poor health forced his retirement. He appeared in two movies with The Duke, Picture from The Fighting Seabees 1944, William passed away on 3 March 1966 in Hollywood, California, USA.
Laura La Plante born on 1 November 1904 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Laura was 15 years old when she entered films as a Christie Comedy Bathing Beauty. By 1921, she had a number of roles including a Tom Mix western called 'Big Town Round-up 1921 for Fox and 'The Old Swimmin' Hole 1921 for First National. Laura, now 17, next signed with Universal where she appeared in shorts, serials and many supporting roles. Over the next few years, Laura would become one of the leading stars at Universal as she could act in drama's, mysteries and comedies. Some of her more important films were the adventure 'Crooked Alley 1923, the comedy 'Sporting Youth 1924, the drama 'Smouldering Fires 1925 and the mystery 'The Cat and the Canary 1927. One of her successful comedies, 'Skinner's Dress Suit 1926, was directed by her husband William A. Seiter. When sound came to Universal, she was one of the silent film stars who made the transition. She played a leading role in the sound film 'Show Boat 1929 and made her first all talking picture with 'Hold Your Man 1929. By 1930, she decided that she had enough and left Universal, which terminated her contract. She went to England where she would appear in a few more films over the years. Laura returned to Hollywood in 1935 where she again retired from the screen. Laura appeared in only one John Wayne movie, Arizona 1931, Laura passed away on 14 October 1996 in Woodland Hills, California, USA.
George Bancroft born on 30 September 1882 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. George was a Annapolis graduate, theatre owner, and erstwhile minstrel man who-while not a classic matinee idol type-became one of the 1920s' top screen stars. Powerfully built, with rugged features, he first attracted attention in Pony Express 1925, and starred the following year in another historical epic, Old Ironsides 1926. His two best silent movies were both gritty melodramas directed by Josef von Sternberg, Underworld 1927 and Docks of New York 1928. Bancroft seemed to weather the transition to sound with no problem; his robust baritone and gruff manner complemented his appearance. But his thunder was stolen by a newer, younger crop of movie tough-guys, and by 1934 he was reduced to supporting roles (albeit good ones) in films such as Mr. Deeds Goes to Town 1936, Angels With Dirty Faces 1938, Each Dawn I Die 1939, and, memorably, as the Marshal in Stagecoach 1939. He appeared in Young Tom Edison, Northwest Mounted Police (both 1940), and a number of other films before leaving Hollywood in 1942 to begin a new career as a rancher. George appeared in two movies with The Duke, Picture from Stagecoach 1939, George passed away on 2 October 1956 in Santa Monica, California, USA.
Dean Martin born Dino Paul Crocetti on 7 June 1917 in Steubenville, Ohio, USA. Though best known for the 51 films he made, Martin was a prize-fighter, steel mill labourer, gas station attendant and card shark before seeing the first glimmer of fame. It came when he teamed up with comedian Jerry Lewis in 1946. Films such as "At War with the Army" sent the team toward superstardom. Martin became a dramatic actor and the star of a long-running television variety show. Personality conflicts broke up the comedy duo in 1957. Few thought that Martin would go on to achieve solo success, but he did, winning critical acclaim for his role in "The Young Lions" with Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift. A succession of films followed for the singer-actor, including "Some Came Running" with Shirley MacLaine and Frank Sinatra. All would later be members of the "Rat Pack." During much of the '60s and '70s Martin's movie persona of a boozing playboy prompted a series of films as secret agent Matt Helm and his own television variety show. Dean appeared in two movies with John and in my opinion two great movies, Picture from Rio Bravo 1959, Dean passed away on 25 December 1995 in Beverly Hills, California, USA.
Marie Windsor born Emily Marie Bertelsen on 11 December 1919 in Marysvale, Utah, USA, A product of Marysvale, Utah, Marie Windsor attended Brigham Young University and trained for the stage under Maria Ouspenskaya . One of the best "bad girls" in movie history, this busty beauty often played cold-blooded temptresses who could drive a man crazy with passion, then cut out his heart and hand it back to him. A former Miss Utah, she broke into films as a bit player in Hal Roach's All American Co-Ed 1941, and knocked around Hollywood before coming into her own as a leading lady in 1949's Hellfire an above-average Republic Western. She appeared in other B-plus horse operas, including Dakota Lil, Frenchie both in 1950, and Little Big Horn 1951, before taking her best-remembered role, as the recalcitrant gangster's widow being transported to court by tough cop Charles McGraw in The Narrow Margin 1952. Had this taut thriller not been a lowly B (albeit one of the best ever), Windsor might have gotten more of a boost from its success. She continued working steadily, frequently playing tart-tongued trollops-as in Stanley Kubrick's The Killing 1956, memorably cast as Elisha Cook, Jr.'s avaricious, unfaithful wife. Marie appeared in three movies with John, Picture from Trouble Along The Way 1953, Marie passed away on 10 December 2000 in Beverly Hills, California, USA.
Jack Rockwell born John Rockwell Trowbridge on 6 October 1890 in Veracruz, Mexico, Granite-jawed, glowering Jack Rockwell--who also happened to be the brother of another veteran character actor, Charles Trowbridge--played more lawmen than probably any other actor in westerns. A sheriff, a marshal, a Texas Ranger . . . if you were watching any western from the 1920s to the 1940s - especially from Columbia or Republic - and somebody wearing a badge and a gun showed up on onscreen, chances are it was Jack Rockwell. A solidly built man, Rockwell's serious, no-nonsense demeanour made whatever character he was playing - mostly lawmen, but there was an occasional respite where he played a rancher, businessman, the father of the heroine, or even a villain - just that much more believable. He appeared in around 250 films in his career - not all of his roles were lawmen, but enough of them were to ensure that western aficionados will forever identify Jack Rockwell as the man who represented the law in the West. Jack appeared in seven John Wayne movies, Jack passed away on 10 November 1947 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Jack Ingram born on 15 November 1902 in Illinois, USA A WWI veteran who later studied law at the University of Texas, tough-looking Jack Ingram began his long show business career as a minstrel player and later reportedly toured with Mae West. He began turning up playing scruffy henchmen and assorted other B-Western villains in the mid-'30s and was later the featured heavy in Columbia serials. Ingram would go on to appear in a total of 200 Westerns and approximately 50 serials in a career that later included appearances on such television programs as The Cisco Kid and The Lone Ranger. Many of his later films and almost all his television Westerns, including the Roy Rogers and Gene Autry shows, were filmed on Ingram's own 200-acre ranch on Mulholland Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking Woodland Hills, which he had purchased from Charles Chaplin in 1944 and which remains a wilderness today. Jack appeared in six John Wayne movies, Jack passed away on 20 February 1969 in Canoga Park, California, USA.
Born Mary Tomlinson on 24 February 1890 in Acton, Indiana, USA, Her father was a minister, and when she joined a local stock company as a youngster she changed her name to Marjorie Main to avoid embarrassing her family. She worked in vaudeville and debuted on Broadway in 1916. Her film debut was in "A House Divided" 1931. She repeated her stage role in "Dead End" 1937 as Baby Face Martin Humphrey Bogart's mother, which led to a number of slum mother parts. She played very strong role of Lucy, the dude ranch operator in "The Women" (1939). She achieved popularity as a comedienne in six 1940s movies made with Wallace Beery e.g., "Barnacle Bill" 1941. The character which would dominate her remaining career was established when she played Ma Kettle in "The Egg and I" 1947, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress. She began her co-starring series with Percy Kilbride the following year in "Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'" and continued through seven more. Her last movie was a "Kettles", though without Kilbride: "The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm" 1957, Marjorie appeared in two movies with John, Picture from The Shepherd of the Hills 1941, Marjorie passed away on 10 April 1975 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Born Raymond Earl Middleton Jr. on 8 February 1907 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, American actor/singer Ray Middleton spent several years in regional and New York stage productions before his first film appearance (a non-singing one) in Gangs of Chicago 1940. He might have made his film debut in 1938, the year he was being considered for the romantic lead in the Laurel and Hardy comedy Swiss Miss; however, the film's leading lady, Della Lynd, vetoed Middleton in favour of Walter Woolf King. Most of Middleton's films were forgettable save for his starring appearance in I Dream of Jeannie 1952, an unusually lavish Republic Studios biopic about the life of Stephen Foster. In 1965, Middleton signed on to play the Innkeeper in the Broadway musical Man of La Mancha, a role he retained through six seasons and several Don Quixote's. Despite the job security, those six years were eventful ones for Middleton. He underwent serious heart surgery during the play's run, only to return to his part stronger and in better voice than ever. And, for the first time in his life, Middleton took a bride, dancer/singer Patricia Dinnell. After La Mancha, the Middleton's devoted themselves to Unitarian church activity and to Ray's one-man touring concert, America in Song and Dance. Ray appeared in two movies with John. Picture from Lady for a Night 1942, Ray passed away on 10 April 1984 in Panorama, California, USA.
Joe Gray born 5 May 1912 in Brooklyn, New York, USA, Brother of Mack Gray. Stuntman/actor, Former boxer, he compiled a professional boxing record of 8-3-2 with 3 knockout wins. Friend of Frank Sinatra. Appeared in ten Sinatra movies, including the Rack Pack flicks Ocean's Eleven, Robin and the Seven Hoods and Sgt's three. Friend of Dean Martin, appeared in 16 of Dino's films, Joe appeared in two John Wayne's films. Joe passed away on 15 March 1971 in Mexico.
Hal Needham born on 6 March 1931 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, Talented US stuntman, director, writer & actor, Hal Needham has had an amazing career in film spanning the best part of five decades. Needham served as a paratrooper in the Korean War, in the logging industry, and even as a male model for Viceroy cigarettes, before beginning a career in Hollywood. His first break was working as a stunt double for Richard Boone in the TV western "Have Gun - Will Travel" 1957, plus he was a stunt regular on many other western TV shows including "Gunsmoke" 1955, "Rawhide" 1959 and "Black Saddle" 1959. With expert guidance from Chuck Robertson who was the regular stunt double for John Wayne, Needham quickly honed his craft and developed a reputation as one of Hollywood's best stunt performers. He was a stunt performer in such well known films as Pork Chop Hill 1959, Our Man Flint 1965 , The War Wagon 1967 and Tobruk 1967. Needham became the stunt double and stunt co-ordinator on many Burt Reynolds films, In 1976, Needham came to Reynolds with a script he had written about a wise cracking ladies man, and his trucker friend who try to transport a container full of beer across state lines for a handsome pay off. Reynolds liked the racy script, which honed in on the then CB radio craze, and he gave Needham the opportunity to direct the movie. Smokey and the Bandit 1977. Hal appeared in three movies with John Wayne. Hal passed away on 25 October 2013, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Born Kay Clark on 5 March 1910 in Warroad, Minnesota, USA, she took the stage name of Sheila Terry. Flashy blonde American lead and second lead of the 30s who played for Warner Bros. in their mystery and comedy programmes. She appeared opposite John Wayne in three of his early westerns before abruptly leaving the business within a decade, Picture from Haunted Gold 1932, Sheila Terry passed away on 19th January 1957 in New York, New York, USA.