part four page two
Born Hermon Reed Howes on 5 July 1900 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA Howes served as an apprentice seaman in the U.S. Navy during the last year of the First World War. After the war, he graduated from the University of Utah and attended Harvard Graduate School, then appeared in small parts in stock and vaudeville shows. A strikingly handsome man, he was chosen to be a model for artist J.C. Leyendecker's famous Arrow Collar ads. Howes was only one of several models for the ads (others include John Barrymore, Fredric March, Brian Donlevy, and Jack Mulhall), but alone of all the future actors who was a model for Leyendecker, he has been remembered as "the former Arrow Collar Man." Actor-director-producer Ben F. Wilson noticed the handsome model and signed him up to appear in films. Howes quickly became a popular leading man and played opposite many of the most famous actresses of the day. With the coming of sound, it was apparent that neither Howes's voice nor his dramatic ability were as well suited to the new demands on a leading man, and he soon drifted into supporting roles, often as villains, in action films and B-Westerns. Reed appeared in four movies with John, Picture from Paradise Canyon 1935, Reed passed away on 6 August 1964 in Woodland Hills, California, USA.
Verna Hillie born on 5 May 1914 in Hancock, Michigan, USA , One of the best remembered B-Western heroines of the 1930s, blonde Verna Hillie was Ken Maynard's leading lady in the Mascot serial Mystery Mountain 1934. A teenage radio actress in Detroit, Hillie was one of the runners-up in Paramount's countrywide Panther Woman search. Kathleen Burke won the coveted role as the animalistic glamour girl created by Charles Laughton in Island of Lost Souls 1932 but Hillie was assigned bit roles in Madame Butterfly 1932 with Sylvia Sidney and Duck Soup 1933 with the Marx Brothers. A top supporting role in the Paramount Western Under the Tonto Rim 1933 led to her brief but memorable B-Western stint, but she left Hollywood in favor of appearing in a stage production of The Night of January 16th. Returning only for a couple of quickies and Walt Disney's The Reluctant Dragon 1941, Hillie retired from show business in the 1940s to raise a family, Verna appeared in two movies with John, Picture from The Trail Beyond 1934, Verna passed away on 3 October 1997 in Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
Birth name Virginia Labuna on 26 June 1904 in Brooklyn, New York, USA, Brooklyn-born Virginia Brown Faire was whisked to Hollywood in 1919 as the winner of Motion Picture Classic magazine's Fame and Fortune Contest. Faire spent the next decade playing fragile heroines and the occasional vamp. Her most fondly remembered silent-screen role was Tinker Bell in the 1924 adaptation of Barrie's Peter Pan. Though she made a successful talkie debut in Frank Capra's The Donovan Affair (1929), Faire's best years were behind her, and she spent the remainder of her career in low-budget crime melodramas and westerns. Virginia Brown Faire was married to actor Jack Daugherty, and later to producer Howard Weine. Virginia only appeared in one John Wayne movie, Picture from West of the Divide 1934, Virginia passed away on 30 June 1980 in Laguna Beach, California, USA.
Willis Bouchey born on 24 May 1907 Michigan, USA, Willis Bouchey appeared in almost 150 movies and television shows over a 30 year period from 1951 to 1979. He was one of those wonderful character actors who would be a crooked judge in one film and a humorous cavalry officer in another. He appeared in many of John Ford's movies as well as James Stewart's films. His longevity resulted, in part, due to his professionalism and acting ability. He always provided a fine performance no matter how small or insignificant the role. He also gave us this memorable last line in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" "Nothing's too good for the man who shot Liberty Valance." he appeared in three more films with John Wayne, Picture from The Wings of Eagles 1957, Willis passed away on 26 August 1977 in Burbank, California, USA.
Born Wilfrid Worsnop on 14 January 1900 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, UK. A stage actor from the age of 16, Briton Wilfrid Lawson made his film debut in the 1931 comedy East Lynne on the Western Front. Lawson was unforgettable as Alfred P. Doolittle ("I'm one of the undeserving poor...and I means to go on being undeserving") in Pygmalion 1938, no less impressive in the title role in The Great Mr. Handel 1942, and exquisitely eccentric as Black George Seagrim in Tom Jones 1963. His handful of American films includes John Wayne's Allegheny Uprising 1939 and The Long Voyage Home 1940. No matter how busy he became in films, Lawson never severed his ties with the theatre; his biggest stage success was the 1954 production The Wooden Dish. In one of his last film appearances as doddering manservant Peacock The Wrong Box 1966, the 66-year-old Wilfrid Lawson looked closer to 90. Wilfrid Lawson character actor and supporting player in British films and, occasionally American, Picture from The Long Voyage Home 1940, Lawson passed away on 10 October 1966 in London, England, UK.
Johnny Mack Brown born on 1 September 1904 Dothan, Alabama, USA. An All-American halfback while attending the University of Alabama, Johnny Mack Brown would choose the silver screen over the green grass of the football field when he graduated. Signed to a contract with MGM in 1926, Brown debuted in Slide, Kelly, Slide 1927 with William Haines in a film about - baseball. This was followed by The Bugle Call 1927, which starred the fading Jackie Coogan. In 1928 he would appear in the last Norma Shearer silent film, A Lady of Chance 1928. After that, he would work with Greta Garbo, Marion Davies and Mary Pickford. His muscular good looks would only carry Brown so far in films, however, and by 1930 he had yet to find his place. At MGM Clark Gable was taking the roles that Brown was up for, so he went into a western for director King Vidor, Billy the Kid 1930. While Vidor did not want him for the part to begin with, the picture was successful; however, Brown's career at MGM would soon end. As with most of the early cowboy stars, he was a hero to millions of young children and consistently among the top ten money-makers in westerns from 1942-50. The bubble burst, though, just as it did for Allan Lane, in 1953, as the days of the "B" western came to an end. Brown retired in 1953 after making over 200 films, Johnny only appeared once with Wayne in the film Picture from Born To The West 1937 Aka Hell Town. Brown passed away on 14 November 1974 in Woodland Hills, California, USA.
Born Helen Brown Nichols on 22 June 1911, Kansas City, Missouri, USA Phillis Fraser Cousin of actress, singer, and dancer Ginger Rogers. She was married to Random House publishing magnate Bennett Cerf, until his death on 27 August 1971. She married Robert F. Wagner, the former mayor of New York City; they were together for fifteen years until Mr. Wagner's death in 1991. It was her cousin Ginger Rogers who urged her to try to make it in the movies. She won small parts in films at first, then co-starred opposite John Wayne, Picture from Winds of the Wasteland 1936, Billed as Phyllis Fraser throughout her entire movie career. Phillis passed away on 24 November 2006, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, (complications after a fall).
Birth name Marilyn Louis born on 10 August 1923 in Hollywood, California, USA. A native-born Californian, Rhonda Fleming attended Beverly Hills public and private schools. This ravishing redhead, whose ascent to stardom was immeasurably boosted by frequent appearances in Technicolor movies (in which her titian tresses, green eyes, and creamy skin showed to great advantage), started working in films shortly after graduating from Beverly Hills High School. After a couple of years doing extra work, she graduated to bits and supporting roles, starting her career as a Dance-hall girl in, In Old Oklahoma 1943, English title War Of The Wild Cats. In private life, Fleming resides in Century City, California, and was married for 23 years to Ted Mann until his death in January 2001. Rhonda passed away on October 14, 2020, Santa Monica.
William Campbell born on 30 October 1926 in Newark, New Jersey, USA In films from 1950, actor Campbell was most often seen in secondary "best friend" or bad-guy roles. In 1955, he starred as "death-row lawyer" Caryl Chessman in Cell 2455 Death Row. Three years later, he co-starred with Paul Birch in Cannonball, a popular Canadian-based syndicated series about long-haul truckers. Star Trek fans will instantly recognize William Campbell as the malevolently childlike titular alien Trelane from the 1967 episode "The Squire of Gothos." William appeared in two movies with John Wayne. Picture from The High and the Mighty 1954, William passed away on April 28, 2011 in Woodland Hills, California, USA
Eleanor Hunt born on 10 January 1910 in New York City, New York, USA. A leading lady in most of the few movies she appeared in. Her role in four of her movies was that of reporter Bobbie Reynolds were she teamed up with a Government agent to solve the cases. Eleanor appeared in only one movie with Wayne, Eleanor Hunt born on 10 January 1910 in New York City, New York, USA. A leading lady in most of the few movies she appeared in. Her role in four of her movies was that of reporter Bobbie Reynolds were she teamed up with a Government agent to solve the cases. Eleanor appeared in only one movie with Wayne, Picture from Eleanor Hunt born on 10 January 1910 in New York City, New York, USA. A leading lady in most of the few movies she appeared in. Her role in four of her movies was that of reporter Bobbie Reynolds were she teamed up with a Government agent to solve the cases. Eleanor appeared in only one movie with Wayne, Picture from Blue Steel 1934, Eleanor passed away on 12 June 1981 in New York City, New York, USA.
Lew Kelly born on 24 August 1879 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. A seasoned vaudeville and burlesque comedian, Lew Kelly came to films in 1929. The wizened, pop-eyed Kelly quickly became a comedy "regular," appearing in support of such star comics as Laurel & Hardy, W.C. Fields, and Wheeler and Woolsey. In dramatic films, Kelly could be found in bit parts as night watchmen, bartenders and doctors; one of his best roles of the 1940s was the derelict drunken doc in Bela Lugosi's Bowery at Midnight. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Lew Kelly worked steadily in two-reelers, appearing with the likes of Charley Chase, Andy Clyde, Harry Langdon and the Three Stooges. He appeared in over 190 movies and four of them being with John Wayne, Picture from Winds of the Wasteland 1936, Lew passed away on 10 June 1944 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Born Daniel Vincent Fowley on 30 May 1911 in The Bronx, New York, USA , He was born in the Bronx, New York. As a young man, he moved to Los Angeles and studied at Los Angeles City College. He served in the Navy during World War II. Douglas Fowley played everything from cowboys to gangsters, appearing alongside stars like Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, Esther Williams, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. He debuted in The Mad Game 1933, with Spencer Tracy and Claire Trevor. In his best-known performance, the 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain 1952, he played a film director trying to ease a silent-film star into her first talking picture. His best-known television role was as Doc Holliday in the popular ABC western series "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955) during the 1950s and early '60s. His last film was The North Avenue Irregulars 1979, Douglas appeared in two movies with John Wayne, Picture from The High and the Mighty 1954, Douglas passed away on 21 May 1998 in Woodland Hills, California, USA.
Born Johan Mandt Kvalen on 8 December 1899 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, One of the best and most familiar character actors of the first four decades of sound films, although few who knew his face also knew his name. John Qualen was born in Canada to Norwegian parents. His father was a minister. The family moved to the United States and Qualen (whose real name was Kvalen) grew up in Elgin, Illinois. He won an oratory contest and was given a scholarship to North-western University. His interest in acting was piqued there, and he began appearing in tent shows on the Lyceum-Chautauqua circuit, and in stock. He went to New York in 1929 and got his big break as the Swedish janitor in Elmer Rice's Street Scene. He repeated the role two years later in the film version. That same year he first worked for director John Ford in Arrowsmith 1931. He became a member of Ford's famed "stock company, and had prominent roles for Ford for the next thirty-five years. John appeared in nine of John Wayne's movies, Picture from The Searchers 1956, John passed away on 12 September 1987 in Torrance, California, USA.
Born Jane Sterling Adriance on 3 April 1921 in New York, New York, USA, One of Hollywood's more talented and watchable stars on screen was sullen, stick-thin 50s actress Jan Sterling who didn't quite reach the top echelon of stardom but certainly ensured audiences of a real good time with her sexy pout and flashy ways in soaps, film noir and saucy comedy. Jan was born Jane Sterling Adriance in Manhattan in 1921 to a well-to-do family. Her mother remarried when Jan was a youngster and the family relocated to Europe where Jan was schooled by private tutors in London and Paris. At 15, the teenager, who by this time possessed a strong British accent, was enrolled in Fay Compton's dramatic school in London. A strong-minded young lady with a heartfelt passion for acting, she returned to Manhattan to conquer Broadway and by the age of 17 had found her first ingénue role in "Bachelor Born," playing (naturally) a young British lady. Over the next 11 years, she dominated Broadway as proper British ladies while billing herself as Jane Adrian. One of her highlights was working with the legendary Ruth Gordon in 1942 in Ruth's first play entitled "Over 21." As Billie Dawn in the Chicago company of "Born Yesterday," Jan bowled over the critics and seemed almost a shoo-in to do the 1950 film version but she lost out in the end to Judy Holliday. The ash-blonde broke quickly into films supporting Oscar-winning Jane Wyman in Johnny Belinda 1948 in a key, emotional role. Jan appeared in two of John's movies, Picture from The High And The Mighty 1954, Jan passed away on 26 March 2004 in Woodland Hills, California, USA.
Born Robert Van Orden on 6 March 1931 in Los Angeles, California, USA Actor John Smith may best be remembered for starring in the television westerns Cimarron City 1958-60 and Laramie 1959-63, but he also played supporting roles in numerous feature films. He began his career singing with the Bob Mitchell Choir Boys. The musical group appeared in two Bing Crosby efforts Going My Way 1944 and The Bells of St. Mary's 1946. While one might think a distinguished-sounding name such as Robert Van Orden has as star quality all its own, the actor himself didn't agree and partially as a jest decided to change his name to the more generic John Smith. Accompanied by agent Henry Willson (the man who provided Tab Hunter and Rock Hudson with their stage names), Van Orden went before a sceptical judge. When asked why he would adopt such a plain-jane name, Van Orden claimed that he would be the only actor in Hollywood with that name. Thus far, he has been right. As John Smith, his film credits include The High and the Mighty 1954, The Kettles on Old Mac Donald's Farm 1957, Circus World 1964 and Justin Morgan Had a Horse (1981). Picture from Circus World 1964 English title The Magnificent Showman, Smith passed away on 25 January 1995 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Born Mickey Simpson on 3 December 1913 in Rochester, New York, USA, Well-muscled former 1935 New York City heavyweight boxing champ Mickey Simpson was typically cast as a villain in numerous low-budget actioners, adventures, and Westerns of the '40s, '50s, and '60s. Before making his screen debut with a bit part in Stagecoach, Simpson had been Claudette Colbert's personal chauffeur. He served with the military during WWII and then returned to Hollywood to continue his busy onscreen career. Mickey appeared in eight movies with John, Picture from She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 1949, Mickey passed away on 23 September 1985 in Northridge, California, USA.