part five page three
Born Edward Albert Heimberger on 22 April 1906 in Rock Island, Illinois, USA, Eddie attended the University of Minnesota. After working as everything from soda jerk to a circus acrobat (with a short stint as a nightclub and radio singer), Albert headed for New York City, where he scored a hit in the play Brother Rat, portraying military cadet Bing Edwards. He also starred in Room Service on-stage before heading to Hollywood, where he was signed by Warner Bros. to recreate his stage role in the 1938 film Brother Rat. Albert was known for his comedic work during the early years of his career The outbreak of World War II sent Albert into the U.S. Navy as a junior officer, and he distinguished himself during 1943 in the fighting on Tarawa. Assigned as the salvage officer in the shore party of the second landing wave (which engaged in heavy fighting with the Japanese), his job was to examine military equipment abandoned on the battlefield to see if it should be retrieved; but what he found were wounded men who had been left behind under heavy fire. Albert took them off the beach in a small launch not designed for that task, earning commendations for his bravery. A bona fide hero, he was sent home to support a War Bond drive The movie business had changed by the time Albert re-entered films in 1971, but he still snagged an Oscar nomination for his work (in a difficult anti-Semitic role) in Elaine May's The Heartbreak Kid 1972. He appeared in two movies with John, Picture from The Longest Day 1962, Eddie passed away on 26 May 2005 in Pacific Palisades, California, USA.
Born Frederick Tyrone Edmond Power on 2 May 1869, in London, England, UK, The grandson of famed Irish actor Tyrone Power 1795-1841 and son of concert pianist Harold Power, Frederick Tyrone Power was raised and educated at Dulwich College in England. His family emigrated to the U.S. and he was sent to Florida to work as a citrus farmer. However, he hated farming, having always wanted to be an actor, so he abandoned the citrus ranch and made his stage debut in 'The Private Secretary' in 1886. He toured the U.S., Britain, and Australia in theatrical tours, becoming a famed matinee idol and calling himself Tyrone Power II and Tyrone Power the Younger. In 1912, he was acclaimed for his Brutus in 'Julius Caesar'. In 1914, he entered films and played leading roles until age moved him into often villainous character roles. At home one night after shooting on the film 'The Miracle Man' in 1931. Tyrone appeared in only one movie with John, Picture from The Big Trail 1930, Power suffered a massive heart attack and died literally in the arms of his 17-year-old son.
Born Leon Waycoff on 20 January 1902 in Portland, Indiana, USA, Hollywood's favorite "dear old dad," Leon Ames began his stage career as a sleek, dreamy-eyed matinee idol in 1925. He was still billing himself under his real name, when he entered films in 1931. His best early leading role was as the poet-hero of the stylish terror piece Murders in the Rue Morgue 1932. In 1933, Ames was one of the founding members of the Screen Actors Guild, (Ironically, when Ames was president of the SAG, his conservatism and willingness to meet management halfway incurred the wrath of the union's more liberal wing). Ames played many a murderer and caddish "other man" before he was felicitously cast as the kindly, slightly befuddled patriarch in Meet Me in St. Louis 1944. He would play essentially this same character throughout the rest of his career, starring on such TV series as Life With Father.1952-54 and Father of the Bride 1961. When, in 1963, he replaced the late Larry Keating in the role of Alan Young's neighbour on Mr. Ed, Ames' fans were astounded: his character had no children at all! Off screen, the actor was the owner of a successful, high profile Los Angeles automobile dealership. In 1963, he was the unwilling focus of newspaper headlines when his wife was kidnapped and held for ransom. In one of his last films, 1983's Testament, Leon Ames was reunited with his Life With Father co-star Lurene Tuttle. Leon appeared in two movies with John, Picture from They Were Expendable 1945, Leon passed away on 12 October 1993 in Laguna Beach, California, USA.
Born Mary Gilmour on 16 May 1882, in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, Diminutive Scottish stage and screen actress Mary Gordon was seemingly placed on this earth to play care-worn mothers, charwomen and housekeepers. In films from the silent area (watch for her towards the end of the 1928 Joan Crawford feature Our Dancing Daughters), Gordon played roles ranging from silent one-scene bits to full-featured support. She frequently acted with Laurel and Hardy, most prominently as the stern Scots innkeeper Mrs. Bickerdyke in 1935's Bonnie Scotland. Gordon was also a favorite of director John Ford, portraying Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Englishwomen with equal aplomb (and sometimes with the same accent). She was the screen mother of actors as diverse as Jimmy Cagney, Leo Gorcey and Lou Costello; she parodied this grey-haired matriarch image in Olsen and Johnson's See My Lawyer (1945), wherein her tearful court testimony on behalf of her son (Ed Brophy) is accompanied by a live violinist. Mary Gordon is most fondly remembered by film buffs for her recurring role as housekeeper Mrs. Hudson in the Sherlock Holmes films of 1939-46 starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, a role she carried over to the Holmes radio series of the '40s. Mary appeared in five movies with John, Picture from Fort Apache 1948, Mary passed away on 23 August 1963, in Pasadena, California, USA.
Born Henry Olaf Hansen on 9 October 1887, in Oslo, Norway, A film actor from 1925, Norway native Harry Tenbrook usually played such functionary roles as shore patrolmen, sailors, gangsters, and bartenders. The names of Tenbrook's screen characters ran along the lines of Limpy, Spike, and Squarehead. With his supporting appearance in The Informer 1935, the actor became a member of director John Ford's stock company. Harry Tenbrook's association with Ford ended with 1958's The Last Hurrah. Harry appeared in twelve movies with John, Picture from They Were Expendable 1945, Harry passed away on 14 September 1960, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Born on 13 June 1888, in New York, New York, USA, American actor Harry Tyler wasn't really as old as the hills when he started his film career in 1929; in fact, he was barely 40. Still, Tyler's wizened, gimlet-eyed face was his fortune, and he spent most of his movie years playing variations of the Spry Old Timer. Tyler began his stage career as a boy soprano in 1901, under the aegis of producer Flo Ziegfeld and Ziegfeld's wife Anna Held. He married Gladys Crolius in 1910, and for the next twelve years they toured vaudeville in a precursor to Burns and Allen's smart guy/dumb dora act. Returning to the legitimate stage in 1925, Tyler journeyed to Hollywood when talking pictures took hold four years later. His inaugural screen appearance was a recreation of his stage role in The Shannons on Broadway. Harry Tyler played bits and featured roles as janitors, sign painters, philandering businessmen, frontier farmers and accident victims from 1929 until his farewell appearance in John Ford's The Last Hurrah 1958. Harry appeared in four movies with John, Picture from The Quiet Man 1952, Harry passed away on 15 September 1961, Hollywood, California, USA.
Born on 1 October 1896, Rangoon, Burma. Burmese actor Abraham Sofaer had the strong Semitic features and cultured mannerisms to allow him to play a variety of ethnic types. In various films and TV shows, Sofaer portrayed Jews, Arabs, Armenians, Turks and plenty of East Indians (though he usual shied away from the latter because, in his words, "it is so ridiculously easy"). Offscreen, Sofaer thought of himself as an old-school-tie Englishman. He came to London at age 19 to complete his education, secured a job as stage manager with a Shakespearian company, and went on to a British stage career in 1921 -- making his BBC television debut as early as 1936. One of his most famous portrayals in both England and on Broadway was as Disraeli in the original Helen Hayes production of Victoria Regina. Ensconced in Hollywood by the '50s, Sofaer continued to live the life of an English gentleman, playing cricket in his spare time. He also was a keen scholar of different cultures, especially Hebrew tribal customs. Among Abraham Sofaer's many films were Dreyfus (filmed in Britain in 1931, Elephant Walk 1956, The King of Kings 1961 and Head 1969; certainly Sofaer's most conspicuous film performance was as God Himself in A Matter of Life and Death 1945. Abraham appeared in two movies with John, Picture from Chisum 1970, Sofaer died on 21 January 1988 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Born John Pickard on 25 June 1913, Lascassas, Tennessee, USA, A graduate of the Nashville Conservatory and the model for U.S. Navy recruiting posters, Pickard entered films in 1946 following a four-year stint in the navy. Pickard played supporting roles in scores of Westerns and action dramas before reaching stardom as Captain Shank of the U. S. Cavalry on the NBC television Western series Boots and Saddles. Filmed entirely on location at Kanab, UT, the series enjoyed a two-season run 1957-1958 and also featured Gardner McKay as Lieutenant Kelly. Pickard earned a second stab at small-screen stardom in Gunslinger 1961 and played supporting roles in nearly every other popular television drama, from Gunsmoke to Simon and Simon. He was tragically killed by a rampant bull while vacationing on a family farm in his home state of Tennessee. Pickard appeared in three movies with John, Picture from Chisum 1970, Pickard passed away on 4 August 1993 in Rutherford County, Tennessee, USA.
Born Roy Jenson on 9 February 1927, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Born in Calgary, Canada, but moved to Los Angeles with his mother and brother George at age 7 and attended South Gate High School. Joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 during WWII and served on a destroyer in the Pacific.A former UCLA footballer, he earned a BA in geography at UCLA in 1951 before going on to play pro football for Canada. While playing professional football in Canada (Calgary Stampeders, B.C. Lions), he was utilized as a stunt double for River of No Return (1954) starring Robert Mitchum. Moved to Hollywood thereafter to do stunt work and eventually took on a number of bit roles. Canadian-born pro footballer-turned-stuntman-turned-character actor, best known for his film and TV heavies in late 60s and 70s westerns and crime stories. Was a Western All-Star in the Canadian Football League in 1954. Roy appeared in three movies with John, Picture from Big Jake 1971, Jenson passed away on 24 April 2007 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Tom Hennesy began working in movies as an extra in the early 1940s, when he was a student at USC. He later became a stunt man, doubling action stars like Randolph Scott, Rod Cameron, Rock Hudson and Jeff Chandler. He also worked as a general secondary and elementary schoolteacher in many Hollywood film and TV studios; his students included Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, Tim Considine, Molly Bee, Paul Anka, Tommy Rettig and Annette Funicello. Tom appeared in three movies with John. Picture from Big Jake 1971, Tom passed away on May 23, 2011 in Malibu, California, USA.
Born Robert Preston Meservey on 8 June 1918 in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, USA, American leading man of vast charisma. The son of a garment worker and a record store clerk, he grew up in Los Angeles. He was a trained musician, playing several instruments, and in high school became interested in theatre. He joined the Pasadena Community Playhouse, taking classes and appearing in scores of plays alongside such soon-to-be-well-known actors as Dana Andrews, George Reeves, Victor Mature, and Don DeFore. Even in the distinguished company of Playhouse veterans like Victor Jory and Samuel S. Hinds, young Preston Meservey, or Pres, as he was always known to intimates, was an acknowledged star in the making. During one play, a Paramount scout saw him and he signed a contract with the studio, which renamed him Robert Preston. After several roles in inconsequential films, Preston became a favourite of director Cecil B. DeMille, who cast him in several films but became nevertheless one of the few people Preston actively and publicly disliked. In 1946, after serving in England with the Army Air Corps, He struggled through numerous unfulfilling roles in the Forties, then relocated to New York and concentrated on theatre. He played many roles on Broadway and in 1957 began the part that would immortalize him in entertainment history, that of Professor Harold Hill in the musical The Music Man. He won a Tony Award for the role and repeated it in the film version. Now a star of the first magnitude, Preston alternated between stage and film, winning another Tony for I Do, I Do, and appearing to enormous good effect in such films as The Dark at the Top of the Stairs 1960, All the Way Home 1963, and Junior Bonner 1972. He received an Oscar nomination for his triumphant portrayal of a witty, gay entertainer in Victor/Victoria 1982. Preston appeared in two movies with John, Picture from Reap the Wild Wind 1942, Preston passed away on 21 March 1987 in Montecito, California, USA.
Born on 31 May 1888, in New York, New York, USA, Jack Holt Staunch, granite-jawed American leading man of silent and early talkie films, much associated with Westerns. A native of New York City, Holt often claimed to have been born in Winchester, Virginia, where he grew up. The son of an Episcopal minister, he attended Trinity School in Manhattan, then the Virginia Military Institute, from which he was expelled for bad behavior. Giving up his vague hopes of becoming a lawyer, he went on the road, engaging in numerous occupations. He mined gold in Alaska, worked as both a railroad and a civil engineer, delivered mail, rode herd on cattle, and played parts in traveling stage productions. While looking for work as a surveyor in San Francisco in 1914, he volunteered to ride a horse over a cliff in a stunt for a film crew shooting in San Rafael. In gratitude, the director gave him a part in the film. Holt followed the movie people to Hollywood and began getting bits and stunt jobs in the many Westerns and serials being made there. He impressed a number of co-workers at Universal Pictures, among them Francis Ford and his brother John Ford, and Grace Cunard. Holt soon became a frequent supporting player in their films, and then a star in serials. Jack appeared in two movies with John, Picture from They Were Expendable 1945, Holt passed away on 18 January 1951, in Sawtelle, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Born Ralph Volkie on 7 July 1910, Arizona, USA, I cannot find anything about Ralph so if anybody knows where I can find any information on him please inform me as he appeared in twelve movies with John Wayne, Picture from Chisum 1970, he aslo appeared in I Love Lucy "Lucy And John Wayne. Ralph passed away on 6 March 1987 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Born James Craig on 4 February 1912, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, A Rice Institute graduate, James Craig took his first acting lessons from prominent character player Cyril Delevanti. After taking a few extra jobs, Craig was given a speaking role in 1937's Sophie Lang Goes West. He appeared in the serials Fighting G-Men 1938 and Winners of the West 1940, and showed up in such two-reelers as the Three Stooges'Oil's Well that Ends Well 1939, before landing his first important "A" picture role opposite Ginger Rogers in Kitty Foyle 1940. Craig was then showered with critical praise for his portrayal of Jabez Stone, the New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the Devil in 1941's All That Money Can Buy (aka The Devil and Daniel Webster). During the war, Craig became an MGM leading man, chiefly by virtue of his resemblance to Clark Gable; his best films during this period include Our Vines Have Tender Grapes 1945 and a few interesting program westerns. His films declined in importance throughout the 1950s. By the mid-1960s, Craig was of one of several old-timers appearing in the inexpensive Technicolor westerns being produced by A. C. Lyles and Alex Gordon, James appeared in two movies with John, Picture from Hell Town 1937, After retiring from films, James Craig became a successful real estate agent. Craig passed away on 28 June 1985 in Santa Ana, California, USA.
Born Eduard Franz Schmidt on 31 October 1902 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, Born in Milwaukee as Eduard Franz Schmidt, this stern-faced character actor had originally planned to be a commercial artist, but a stint with a local theatrical troupe set him on the road to an acting career. In 1925 he moved to New York City and joined up with a Greenwich Village theatrical group. He returned to Wisconsin in the early 1930s and rejoined his old theatrical company, The Wisconsin Players. He accepted a position with the St. Louis Municipal Opera in 1944 and performed in many different operettas until 1947, when he headed to Hollywood. It didn't take him long to find work, and he was soon appearing in such films as The Magnificent Yankee 1950 and The Ten Commandments 1956, and even did a turn in an interesting low-budget horror flick, The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake 1960. All through his film career, however, he kept his hand in the theatre, and also had an extensive list of television credits. Eduard appeared in two movies with John, Picture from Hatari! 1962, Eduard passed away on 10 February 1983 in Los Angeles, California, USA.