The world wide guessing game, as to which fictional character was really whom? Started on January 1, 1961, when the novel, "The Carpetbaggers", written by Harold Robbins, had first been published, and was speedily climbing the best seller lists. To the Hollywood motion picture community, the book reviewers, and the readers, the novel was the real life of Howard Hughes, but using fictional characters.
As my long title indicates, this article focuses upon one of author Harold Robbins's character's, the cowboy actor, "NEVADA SMITH".
Harold Robbins:
Fiction vs reality starred with his own birth. One story states that Harold Rubin was the son of Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire, Francis "Fannie" Smith, and Charles Rubin, and was born on May 21, 1916, in New York City. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Robbins
Another says he was born Francis Kane, an abandoned infant, whose parents were unknown. Adding that he was raised in a Catholic Orphanage in Brooklyn's "Hells Kitchen", and the last of his several foster parents, adopted the boy, giving him the last name of Rubin. In this account, Kane claimed of being a runner for a bookie and other gamblers.
While a third story, found in author Andrew Wilson's, 2011, "Harold Robbins: The Man Who Invented Sex", claims he was raised by his father, a pharmacist, and a step-mother named "Blanche". Harold's birth mother having died in childbirth.
https://books.google.com/books?id=T4347c2YS18C&pg=PA7#v=onepage&q&f=false
However, according to the website, "Britannica", https://www.britannica.com/biography/Harold-Robbins
Robbins was known to have fabricated numerous episodes that were repeated by journalists and others who documented his storied existence, paying little attention to consistency or plausibility. The particulars of his life were not untangled until a decade after his death. The childhood he invented for himself was particularly colourful: he claimed to have been raised in a Catholic orphanage and then adopted by a poor Jewish family. He also maintained that he had earned extra money as a child prostitute. In fact, the orphanage where he claimed to have been abandoned never existed. Robbins was actually raised in Brooklyn with three half-siblings by his Jewish birth father, who was a pharmacist, and his stepmother; his birth mother had died shortly after he was born.
We know as truth, that in 1931, Harold, seen below, dropped out of high school and enlisted in the United States Navy. After which, Rubin claimed to have been the sole survivor of a torpedoed submarine. Problem, no American submarines were ever torpedoed during the entire decade of the 1930's. During the 1940's, he did work, first doing odd jobs, including at "Universal Picture", and at the studio, worked his way up to a screenplay writer. He took the last name of "Robbins", when he wrote his first novel.
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That first novel, "Never Love a Stranger", was published in 1948. The book had sold 3-million-copies, by the release of the motion picture version, on June 22, 1958. The story is about a Jewish boy raised in a Catholic orphanage, (Sound familiar?), who runs away into a life of crime. In the motion picture, "Frankie Kane", was portrayed by John Drew Barrymore. His Jewish lawyer friend, "Martin Cabell", was portrayed by 4th-billed, Steve McQueen, whose next motion picture was the cult science fiction film, 1958's, "The Blob".
Robbins's second novel, was 1949's "The Dream Merchants", and tells the "rags to riches" story of "Johnny Edge". A penniless young dreamer who comes to Hollywood and builds a motion picture studio. There was no problem with readers familiar with "Universal Pictures" founder Carl Laemmle, to figure out who "Edge" was freely based upon.
In 1952, Harold Robbins wrote, "A Stone for Danny Fisher". Which tells the story of the Great Depression's effect on a lower-middle class Jewish family from Brooklyn. "Danny" is a boxer that is bribed to throw the "Golden Gloves" championship, but double-crosses the underworld gamblers and wins. He then goes into hiding, leaving behind, the Catholic young woman he loves and his family, for two-years. "Danny" returns to boxing, marries the girl he loves, and the novel ends with "Danny Fisher's" confrontation with the gamblers he double-crossed, and his death by them.
The original plan was to make a hard-hitting motion picture starring James Dean, but he was killed in a car accident and that screenplay shelved. In 1958, that hard-hitting boxing crime story was rewritten. The new story was now about a singer, who gets mixed up with two women, and some petty crooks. The new version of "A Stone for Danny Fisher", became "King Creole", starring Elvis Presley and Carolyn Jones.
Harold Robbins's, 1961 novel, "The Carpetbaggers", was followed by his 1962 novel, "Where Love Has Gone". This was an obviously fictionalized version of the love affair between actress Lana Turner, and gangster, "Johnny Stompanato".
Two of the Three Main Characters in "The Carpetbaggers" vs Reality:
The entire novel revolves around "Jonas Cord, Jr". Who appears to be nothing more than a very thin version of Howard Robard Hughes, Jr, as the following 5-comparisons illustrate:
1. "Cord Junior", portrayed by George Peppard in the 1964 motion picture, is the heir to his father's, "Cord Explosives Company". While Hughes, Junior, was the heir to his father's, "Hughes Tools Company".
2. After his father's death, "Jonas" turns his father's business into a major airplane manufacturing company and sets several major aviation records himself. Howard did the exact same things after his father's death.
3. In the novel, "Jonas" creates the airline, "ICA (Inter Continental Airways)". While, Howard created "TWA (Trans World Airways)".
4. "Jonas" built and flew the "Centurion, flying boat". Quoting the character, the "biggest airplane ever built". This was to prove to the United States Navy that the aircraft meet their contract conditions. In reality, Howard Hughes built the "Spruce Goose (Hughes Aircraft's H-4 Hercules)", under the exact requirements. As of this writing, it is still located in a hanger, for tourist viewing, next to the "Queen Mary" in Long Beach, California
5. The novel also looks at "Jonas Cord's" motion picture making, and the actresses in his life. In the late 1940's and the first half of the 1950's, Howard Hughes owned "RKO Pictures".
Which brings me to my look at the real "Jonas Cord", in my article, "HOWARD ROBARD HUGHES, JR.: The Motion Pictures"found at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2018/08/howard-robard-hughes-jr-motion-pictures.html
Above, Howard Hughes in the cockpit of the "Spruce Goose". Below, George Peppard as "Jonas Cord".
Her name was Jean Harlow, she was known for her acting, and her affair with Howard Hughes. Although, that affair may never have happened, and the evidence about it taking place, is extremely vague. That is not to say, Harold Robbins, with his character of "Rina Marlowe", portrayed by Carol Baker in the motion picture, didn't make good sex passages with "Jonas Cord" for the reader.
Above, Jean Harlow, and below, Caroll Baker portraying "Rina Marlowe".
Fictional biographies can make for sultry reading, and two, 1965 fictional motion picture biographies, as a result of the 1964 motion picture version of Harold Robbins', "The Carpetbaggers", can lead to a studio war to get their version of the life of "Jean Harlow" into movie theater's first.
One film starred Carol Lynley as "Jean Harlow".
The other played their cards close to the vest, with Caroll Baker, now as the "actual ?" "Jean Harlow".
My article is "JEAN HARLOW: The 1965 Biographical Motion Picture Race", neither motion picture telling the true story at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2021/05/jean-harlow-1965-biographical-motion.html
The Third Main Character of "The Carpetbaggers" Possibly vs Reality:
The novel, as I have mentioned, deals with "Jonas Cord, Jr." and the women in his life. However, in "Jonas's" world, since he was born, is a man named he has always known as "Nevada Smith". He is a very old friend of his father's, and a one-time, "B" Cowboy star and producer. "Smith" should be a minor character in the story, but author Harold Robbins stops the story of "Jonas Cord, Jr." mid-way, and takes approximately one-third of the novel to tell the story of "Max Sand", the son of a white prospector - small rancher, and a Kiowa mother, who became "Nevada Smith", then continues the original story of "Jonas", as if the break in his original narrative never happened.
Two-years after the motion picture version of "The Carpetbaggers" was released, a lift from the 1961 novel, became:
NEVADA SMITH released on June 29, 1966
In the motion picture, Steve McQueen portrayed the Harold Robbins character of "Max Sand" aka: "Nevada Smith". He had been portrayed in the 1964 motion picture, as the older "Nevada Smith", by Alan Ladd. In this feature film, Brian Keith was seen as "Jonas Cord, Senior", "Smith's" mentor.
Above, Brian Keith with Steve McQueen in "Nevada Smith". Below, Alan Ladd in "The Carpetbaggers".
As I previously mentioned, everyone who had read the original novel, "KNEW", without a doubt, who "Jonas" and "Rina" really were supposed to be. Two other of Harold Robbins's characters were also thought known to the world. "Jennie Denton", portrayed by Martha Hyer in the motion picture, was actually Jane Russell. While, "Monica Winthrop", portrayed by Elizabeth Ashley in the motion picture, was actually Hughes's first wife, Ella Botts Rice.
However, a mystery remained:
WHO WAS MAX SAND IN REAL LIFE?
His Basic Back Story as told by Harold Robbins:
It is the 1890's in Texas, no exact year is given, and three men believe "Max Sand's" father has hidden gold. When he doesn't reveal the gold's location to them. "Max's" father and his Kiowa mother are murdered. "Max" was 16-years-old, when his parents are murdered, Steve McQueen was 34-years-old when he made the movie. Next, he goes after his parent's murderers, using his Kiowa learned tracking skills.
However, "Max" first meets "Jonas Cord, Sr.", a seller of firearms and attempts to rob him. There never was any gold! However, instead of being robbed, "Jonas" befriends the young fire brand and teaches "Max" how to actually use a pistol and not the broken one he tried to rob him with.
Over this large section of the novel, "Max Sand" tracks down each man. The first in Abilene, Texas, the next is in a Louisiana, prison camp. "Max" commits a bank robbery to get at the second murderer in the camp. To get the third, he changes his name to "Nevada Smith", to be able to join the third murderer's gang without recognition. This eventually leads to a shoot out at a river between the two men. "Max" out draws his parent's murderer, and shoots him multiple times, but not fatal. That third man wants the other to kill him, but "Max Sand" rides away, leaving the third calling out for death.
When the reader first meets "Nevada Smith", in the novel, "The Carpetbaggers", he is a former "Stock Holder" in the "Hughes Tool Company", and a former "B-Western" cowboy movie star. The specific year is not mentioned for the novel's opening, but it is during the 1930's, and "Jonas Cord, Jr." is producing his first motion picture, "The Renegade", starring "Rina Marlowe", in her first movie.
"Jean Harlow's" actual first movie was as an "uncredited extra, not confirmed", in actor George O'Brien's, 1928, "Honor Bound". "The Renegade" is closer to Howard Hughes, 1943, "The Outlaw", starring his discovery Jane Russell. Whom Howard needed to have the "TWA" aircraft designers, design at bra for. In the novel, it is "Rina", in "The Renegade", that the bra had to be designed for.
Since the publication of the novel, three Western actor's name's have come up and debated as the actual source for the character of "Max Sand". Harold Robbins went to his grave without naming his source and I will mention all three candidates in the order of being thought to be the model for "Nevada Smith".
TOM MIX
We know that Harold Robbins's character of "Nevada Smith" was born in Texas to a Native American mother.
Tom Mix was born on January 6, 1880, as Thomas Hezikiah Mix, in Mix Run, Pennsylvania. Never heard of it? Mix Run is an unincorporated village in Gibson Township, Cameron County, Pennsylvania. Which was named for Tom Mix's great-great-grandfather, who founded the village.
Tom Mix's married life and military career had there moments. He enlisted during the "Spanish American War", but never left the United States. During this time, Tom forgot to return after his furlough ended, and while on furlough, married Grace I. Allin on July 18, 1902. Fortunately for the AWOL soldier, he was not court-martialed, but his marriage ended in one-year. Next, in 1905, he married Kitty Jewel, but this marriage also only lasted one-year. Also, in 1905, Tom Mix rode, with a group of horseman he belonged to, in Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural presidential parade. Which years later, confused motion picture publicists into claiming he was one of "Roosevelt's Rough Riders".
On January 10, 1909, Tom Mix, married the 3rd of his 5-wives, Olive Stokes. About this time, Mix went to work at the 110,000-acre, "Miller Brothers 101 Ranch", in what used to be Oklahoma's, Indian Country until November 16, 1907, when Oklahoma received Statehood. The brothers had a "Wild West Show" that they started, locally, in 1907, but when Tom Mix arrived in 1909. The brother's took it nationally with Mix winning the 1909, National riding and shooting contest, in Prescott, Arizona. His skills caught the eye of the "Selig Polyscope Company", and that same year, Tom Mix, made his first 5-motion picture shorts, consisting of:
October 21, 1909, "The Cowboy Millionaire", October 25, 1909, "Briton and Boer", November 8, 1909, "Up San Juan Hill", November 25, 1909, "On the Little Big Horn; or, Custer's Last Stand", and December 2, 1909, "An Indian's Wife's Devotion".
On July 13, 1912, Tom and Olive's daughter Ruth was born.
"Selig Polyscope" was based in Chicago, Illinois, had been filming in Las Vegas, New Mexico, but built a movie studio, seen below, in the Edendale area of Los Angeles in 1909. One of several small movie makers that came to this four square block pre-Hollywood location, at the start of the Southern California film industry.
I happened to live in Newhall, California, in the Santa Clarita Valley, and came upon the following information related to Tom Mix from the "Santa Clarita Valley History (SCVHistory.com)" website at:
https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/birchard1993_015.htm
Actor-director-producer Tom Mix and his Selig Polyscope production crew relocated their operation from Las Vegas, N.M., to Newhall-Santa Clarita Valley in 1916. They erected a small Western movie town on the south side of Market Street between Newhall Avenue and today's Main Street. After Mix signed with William Fox in 1917 most filmmaking was done at the Fox (formerly Selig) lot at Edendale (Echo Park-Silver Lake) near Glendale, where Mix lived, although he continued to use Newhall occasionally through the mid-1920s. Surviving into the 21st Century are two bungalows at today's 24247 Main Street that were built in 1920 (per County Assessor records, which can be a little off in the 1910s-20s.)
There is no evidence to suggest Mix ever set foot in Newhall prior to 1916.
Above left foreground is Tom Mix and his film crew in 1916. The location is thought to be near Newhall's, "Veterans Historical Plaza".
Continuing with the article from the "SCVHistory" website, my reader finds:
Tom Mix's press was carefully plotted by publicists with fertile imaginations and a Rolodex (or equivalent) full of gossip columnists. If they wanted the public to believe Mix personally jumped over Beale's Cut on his Wonder Horse Tony in 1923's "Three Jumps Ahead," then that is what got reported.
By the time of Mix's arrival in Newhall in 1916, the "fake news" mongers were already out of control. They'd have us believe that sometime prior to or during 1916, Mix was elected mayor of Newhall (Newhall didn't have a mayor); that he served as town sheriff (he didn't); he created a telephone system (Newhall had 2 to 3 telephones from 1912 -1916 and 5 in 1917); and he even established the town's first traffic laws.
The latter is particularly absurd considering, first, that Mix was arrested and fined $50 for recklessly driving through Newhall in 1920; and, second, the manner of his death 20 years later.
Note:
The above article mentions the March 25, 1923, Tom Mix Western, "Three Jumps Ahead". So, let us take a look at that motion picture directed, at the time, by Jack Ford, better known, later, as director John Ford.
In the above quote, the mention of the highlight of the picture was Tom Mix and "Tony, the Wonder Horse" jumping over the local "Beale's Cut". I turn to the website, "moviesites.org" at
https://www.moviesites.org/beales.htm
The article opens with:
Beale's Cut (formerly known as both the San Fernando Pass and the Newhall Pass) is located southeast of San Fernando Road between Sierra Highway and the Antelope Valley Freeway and has been used in numerous films since the silent era.
Starting the next paragraph, my reader will find that:
In John Ford's 5-reeler, Three Jumps Ahead (1923), Tom Mix is seen jumping over Beale's Cut. Careful examination of the jump scene reveals a noticeable size disproportion between the jumping horse, the rider (Mix), and the Cut's physical width. In all likelihood, the "jump" was an early special effects photo composite.Several stuntmen have claimed credit for this jump, including Andy Jaurejui of Newhall, who apparently doubled for Tom Mix in several promotional trailers for Three Jumps Ahead. Fox Film's Tom Mix was known to have spent quite a bit of time shooting in the Newhall area from 1916 to the mid-1920s.
Returning to my article prior to speaking to the movie "Three Jumps Ahead":
Between "The Cowboy Millionaire", October 21, 1909 and "The Heart of Texas Ryan", February 12, 1917, Tom Mix made 100-shorts for "Selig Polyscope".
Above, the first appearance of Tom Mix's horse "Tony, The Wonder Horse", in 1917's, "The Heart of Texas Ryan".
"Selig" had been having major financial services, and in 1917, the studio was bought out by movie maker, William Fox, and became part of his company, "Fox Films".
Those one-hundred "Selig" films was making Tom Mix a favorite western actor, but it was William Fox's studio that made him a major star. According to the "Tom Mix Museum" website at:
https://www.tommixmuseum.com/about-tom
Tom was good for Fox Studios and they were good for Tom. When he was hired by Mr. Fox, Tom was paid $350. a week. A lot of money in 1917 but he became one of the highest paid movie stars of his time eventually earning over $17,000 a week. In addition to being on a solid financial footing the Fox Studio movies played to a much wider audience than the Selig movies. The wider exposure afforded by Fox undoubtedly contributed to Tom's move from a simply prolific actor to genuine world famous movie star.
Tom Mix's first 4-Fox Motion Pictures, co-starred Victoria Forde, and the first title was "Hearts and Saddles", released on March 19, 1917.
Over their movies together, Tom Mix had fallen in love with his co-star, and he divorced Olive, before the end of 1917. In 1918, Tom married Victoria, and in February 12, 1922, their daughter, Tomasina "Tommie" Mix was born.
Initially Tom's films at Fox were similar to those he had made at Selig. One reel quickies. The public, however, was becoming impatient with 15 minute movies and soon Tom and Fox were making multi reel feature films. In 1917 Tom made four one reel comedies and two feature dramas. In 1918 he made six feature films and only one single reel. As Tom became more popular the budgets for his films grew, his costumes became more elaborate and and he became more popular at the box office. Tom Mix made 85 films with Fox studios making both he and William Fox millionaires. The days at Fox were Tom's finest in the motion picture industry. Sadly only a few of the movies from this period are available in the United States today.
The old "Selig Polyscope" lot was basically empty and not really used. Tom Mix went over to it and built a 12-acre Western shooting set that became another of his "Mixville's".
By 1927, William Fox was getting tired of making films with Tom Mix, besides the Western movie market was getting flooded with similar western actors. Among those were, Hoot Gibson, Harry Carey, Randolph Scott, Buck Jones, Newhall, California's own William S. Hart, and even Gary Cooper. One list indicated there were 126-Westerns made and released in 1927. As a result, Fox let Mix go.
He left films and toured on the "Keith-Albee-Orpheum" vaudeville circuit. While threatening to leave the United States and tour Argentina, because no film company seemed to want him.
In July, 1928, Tom Mix moved to "FBO (Film Booking Offices of America)" aka: "FBO Pictures Corporation", made five movies, got in trouble with the owner, Joseph Kennedy, and walked.
At this time, Tom Mix had became a friend of the aging Wyatt Earp. Who was now living in Los Angeles, Mix would be a pallbearer, on January 13, 1929, for the hero of "The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral".
Tom was a big spender and a pilot, and at one time had bought his own airplane. While, Victoria Mix kept spending her husband's money and took their daughter on several trips to Europe. Then the stock market crashed in 1929, and cost the couple their Arizona ranch and Hollywood mansion. Tom, needing income, signed with the "Sells Floto Circus", and started to tour.
It is generally given that he spent his early years in rodeos, carnivals, state fairs, and circuses, that he served in World War One, and that he was a trick rider with, Buffalo Bill's Wild West, and Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, but some of this may be lore generated by studio publicity operatives.
It was in Tompkinsville on December 8, 1916 that Ken Maynard was married to Arlie Harlan of Tompkinsville.
It should be noted that the United States entered the First World War on April 6, 1917, that ended on November 11, 1918
After his marriage Ken worked neighboring county fairs and appeared in rodeos throughout this area. In 1919 he and his bride moved to Louisville, Ky., and he was stationed for a time at Camp Knox, now Fort Knox. After starring some time with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, Fox brought him to Hollywood. Fox never used him but he soon found a job. He made his film debut in 1924 in "Janice Meredith."
"The Demon Rider", released in November 1925, wasn't just a film title, stunt man turned star Ken Maynard was performing stunts that the other stunt men wouldn't touch. To be sure that the audience knew it was Ken doing them, producer, J. Charles Davis, had director Paul Hurst, and cinematographer Frank Coter, use plenty of tight shots on Ken Maynard and "Tarzan, King of all Horses".
Below, Ken Maynard, on the town during this period.
"The Demon Rider" was immediately followed by, "North Star", released on December 27, 1925. The story is very routine, but has two names that are of interest. The picture starred, with 1st-billing, "Strongheart the Dog", Ken Maynard was 3rd-human-billed as "Noel Blake", but 5th-human-billed, portraying "Archie West", was Clark Gable.
Above, one of the posters for Ken Maynard's "The Unknown Cavalier", released November 14, 1926. The film became "Ride Him Cowboy", released on April 23, 1932. Instead of Ken Maynard and his white horse "Tarzan". Viewers would see John Wayne and his white horse, now called
Above Ken Maynard in "The Unknown Cavalier", and below, John Wayne in "Ride Him Cowboy". Wayne was dressed as close to Maynard as possible. So that in long shots, he became the other actor, and the audience was fooled.
An interesting piece of trivia, is that "Ride Him Cowboy", was directed by Leon Schlesinger. Who two years earlier took over Warner Brother's animation department and created the "Looney Toons" and then "Merrie Melodie" cartoons.
THE WAGON MASTER released on September 8, 1929
The above publicity sheet, designed to get theater bookings for "The Wagon Master", is a reflection of Hollywood at the start of talking pictures. Right above "CARL LAEMMLE PRESENTS" is an important line:
Two negatives, one talking and singing, one silent.
Not all of the movie theaters in the United States were equipped to run sound feature films yet, and the owners could request, from "Universal Pictures", a silent version of "The Wagon Master".
With "The Wagon Master", rugged, handsome, leading silent "B" Cowboy, Ken Maynard, became the first "Singing Cowboy".
Above, Ken Maynard, portraying "The Rambler", sings to co-star Edith Roberts, portraying Sue Smith. This was her last feature film out of 159. Sadly, in 1935, Edith Roberts passed away at the age of thirty-six, while giving birth to her only child.
In "The Wagon Master", Maynard sang two songs, "The Cowboys Lament", and, "The Lone Star Trail", both recorded for "Columbia Records". They also became the titles of two record albums "Columbia" and Ken Maynard made.
However, Maynard was a hard person to work with and part of that problem came from his drinking. After one year with "Universal Pictures", the first singing cowboy was released and picked-up first by forgotten, "Poverty Row" studio, "Tiffany Productions", and next, forgotten, "Sono-Art-World Wide Pictures".
In 1933, "Universal Pictures" rehired Ken Maynard, who was an accomplished musician, and he appeared in "The Fiddlin' Buckaroo", released on July 20, 1933, playing the violin. That picture was followed by, "The Trail Drive", released on September 4, 1933, with Maynard playing the banjo instead.
Above, Ken Maynard and his white stallion, "Tarzan".
Author James Horwitz, in his 1978, "They Went That Away", relate the last meeting between Ken Maynard and Carl Laemmle, founder and owner of "Universal Pictures". This was right after the April 16, 1934, release of "Honor of the Range", Laemmle asked Maynard, why did he make such an awful movie? According to Horwitz, Ken Maynard's reply was:
Mr. Laemmle, I have made you eight very bad pictures," and walked out on Laemmle and Universal.
Later, in 1934, producer Nat Levine hired Ken Maynard to star in a cliff-hanger serial, "Mystery Mountain", with the idea of making a series of major westerns with Maynard. On November 15, 1934, their movie "In Old Santa Fe" opened and was a big hit.
On December 3, 1934, Chapter One of the 3-hour-43-minute cliff-hanger, "Mystery Mountain", premiered.
According to Cecil B. DeMille’s autobiography, while filming an elaborate pool party sequence for the 1922 film Saturday Night, character actress Julia Faye leapt into the water. The top of her patent leather swimsuit burst open on impact– in full view of camera, crew and cast. William Boyd was working as an extra in the scene and he leapt into action. He turned Faye towards him and held her close, shielding her from the camera with his body and making it look like they were simply a romantic couple. After the scene ended, he lent her his coat.
Faye was DeMille’s longtime mistress and she told the director of Boyd’s gallant conduct. DeMille was doubly impressed that Boyd had not only saved Faye’s modesty but had also done so in a way that did not spoil the take. He personally thanked Boyd, was impressed with his fearless demeanor and made it his goal to help the young man get a foothold in Hollywood.
Cecil B. DeMille’s first feature from his shiny new studio,The Road to Yesterday is the epic tale of two couples, marital strife, a fiery train wreck, flappers, ministers and a touch of time travel. You know, keeping things simple. It is also notable as the film that started William “Hopalong Cassidy” Boyd on his path to stardom.
On April 4, 1926, Cecil B. DeMille gave William Boyd the lead in his silent epic:
THE VOLGA BOATMAN
William Boyd portrayed the title character, "Feodor, a Volga Boatman".
Elinor Fair portrayed "Vera, a Princess". Fair and William Boyd had been married on January 13, 1926.
Victor Varconi portrayed "Prince Dimitri".
Found in the "Exhibtors Herald" for March and June 1926, at:
https://archive.org/details/exhibitorsherald25unse/page/n16/mode/1up
Vera, a princess engaged to a Russian nobleman, falls in love with Feodor, a young boatman. A revolution breaks out and the threatened princess is saved by the boatman, and brought to an inn as his wife. Here they are both captured by the royal army, where the woman’s former sweetheart makes her dance for the drunken soldiers. The boatman shoots one of them, and he and the princess are ordered to be shot. They are saved in time by the revolutionists, who force the noblemen to assume their places as boatmen. Realizing they are in love with each other, the boatman and the princess go their way.
William Boyd was now a matinee idol, and a major leading man. 7-motion pictures later, and Boyd appeared in Cecil B. DeMille's religious epic:
KING OF KINGS premiering in New York City on April 19, 1927
Above, Michael D. Moore billed as Mickey Moore, portraying "Mark", and William Boyd portraying "Simon of Cyrene". Below left to right, Jacquline Logan portraying "Mary Magdalene", Josephine Norman portraying "Mary of Bethany", and William Boyd.
Right after DeMille's, "King of Kings", William Boyd went under contract with "Pathé Exchange". The company would become part of "Radio Pictures", which eventually became "RKO Pictures".
The following is from the website for "RKO Pictures" at: https://rko.com/history-2/
1928
Two titans of their age – David Sarnoff, President of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and Joseph P. Kennedy, father of the future President and owner of the Film Booking Office of America (FBO), a movie distribution company – met at an oyster bar in Manhattan. By the time the meal was over, they’d agreed to combine RCA’s Keith-Albee-Orpheum theater chain with Kennedy’s company (as well as the fledgling Pathe Studios) to form Radio-Keith-Orpheum, or the RKO Corporation.
In April, 1928, "Cecil B. DeMille Productions", released "Skyscraper", starring William Boyd. DeMille had instructed, recently arrived from the Soviet Union, uncredited authoress, Ayn Rand to rewrite the screenplay. Her screenplay would be the basis for her 1943 novel, "The Fountainhead".
On January 22, 1929, a part-talkie-part-silent motion picture, "Lady of the Pavement", directed by D. W. Griffith, was released starring William Boyd.
On December 28, 1929, the "all music. all sound. all dialogue" motion picture "His First Command" was released. The feature film starred William Boyd and featured Dorothy Sebastian.
The only motion picture William Boyd made during 1930, was "Officer O'Brien", released on February 15, 1930.
On November 30, 1930, William Boyd and Einor Fair's divorce became final. In December, William Boyd married Dorothy Sebastian in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The following is from the website "Radio Classics", written by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr, and dated June 5, 2019, found at http://www.radioclassics.com/happy-birthday-william-boyd/
William Boyd’s contract with RKO came to an end due to an event that could have been the plot of a Hitchcock film. An actor named William “Stage” Boyd was arrested on gambling, liquor, and morals charges…but the newspaper story that told of “Stage’s” misfortune featured a picture of the other William Boyd. The paper apologized for its error the following day…but as Boyd himself told the story: “The damage was already done.” Boyd’s decision to change his billing from “William Boyd” to “Bill Boyd” didn’t help his career much, with acting jobs becoming harder and harder to come by.
The following are two articles about William "Stage" Boyd with William Lawrence Boyd's photograph. The first article is dated February 28, 1931, the year is determined by "Stage's" age.
The following is a photo of William "Stage" Boyd.
Apparently, still happening as of this writing, articles about William Lawrence Boyd, or his alternate self, "Hopalong Cassidy", have used the year 1931, from the top newspaper article, as the year Boyd's contract with "Radio Pictures" was cancelled. Whomever originally stated that year, was wrong by 3-years. Apparently again, every article that contained a bio of William Lawrence Boyd, has kept that mistake going as fact.
In 1931, "BILL" Boyd, made and released 3-movies for"Radio Pictures". All beyond the date, of the first news article. Another 5-features, were filmed after 1931, with his last motion picture for "Radio Pictures", entitled, "Emergency Call", released on May 26, 1933.
Hollywood history or myth is that character actor James Gleeson may have been a contender for the Hopalong Cassidy role. In actuality, Gleeson was announced as Hopalong, and there were mentions in Hollywood tradepapers including June, 1935 issues of film daily.
Above, the familiar 1930's, 1940's face of James Gleeson.
Bill Boyd made his case to be the title character and going against tradition, no white hat, and a hero all in black, was given the role.
Above left, Harry "Pop" Sherman and with his name restored, William Boyd, portraying, at the time of the first motion picture "Bill Hop-a-long Cassidy". The first motion picture of what would be a series, premiered on July 30, 1935.
For trivia fans, the role of "Red Connors", was portrayed by Frank McGlynn, Jr., seen below, whose total film appearances between 1924 and 1934, were 42. He passed away from tuberculosis on March 29, 1939.
James Ellison, billed as Jimmy Ellison, portrayed "Johnny Nelson", Among Ellison's film roles, are portraying "Buffalo Bill Cody", in director Cecil B. DeMille's, 1936, "The Plainsman", co-starring with Gary Cooper as "Wild Bill Hickok", and Jean Arthur as "Calamity Jane". Starring as "Robert Curtis" in the seldom seen werewolf movie, 1942's, "The Undying Monster", and portraying "Wesley Rand", in producer Val Lewton's, 1943, "I Walked with a Zombie", directed by Jacques Tourneur, from a screenplay by Curt Siodmak.
Paula Stone portrayed "Mary Meeker". This was her first on-screen appearance of 15, through 1939. She was mainly a legitimate stage and radio actress.
George "Gabby" Hayes portrayed "Uncle Ben". My article is "George 'Gabby' Hayes: Being a 'B' Cowboy 'Sidekick" riding the range at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2020/03/george-gabby-hayes-being-b-cowboy.html
Above left to right, Paula Stone, William Boyd, and George "Gabby" Hayes.
Charles Middleton portrayed "Buck Peters". On April 6, 1936, the actor first portrayed the role he is most remembered for, "Ming the Merciless", in the first "Flash Gordon" cliff-hanger, starring Buster Grabbe.
The First "Hoppy" Screenplay:
That first screenplay was written by Doris Schroeder, she was a prolific "B" western screenplay writer, and would write, or co-write with different writers, several of the other motion pictures in the series through 1948. Along with films for Don Red Barry, Bob Steele, Tom Tyler, Tim Holt, and more forgotten "B" Western Heroes.
This screenplay is very important, because the audience finds out how "Bill Cassidy" becomes "Hop-a-Long Cassidy". Early in the 60-minute movie, "Bill" is shot in the leg during a gunfight, which gives him his signature "Hop". A character trait that would be dropped in later screenplays.
The basic story is very routine, "Bill Cassidy" and his sidekick, "Johnny Nelson", who's there also to fall for the girl, "Mary Meeker", and attract young women to the movie. Now find themselves in the middle of a budding range war between two cattle ranchers, each believing the other is stealing his cattle. Of course "Hoppy" discovers the truth, gets the two cattle ranchers join forces, and the bad-guys are taken down.
One of the comments by the film critics, and the "Paramount Pictures" executives, was about William Boyd's white hair. They thought his premature white hair made "Hoppy" appear a lot older than the character should be. However, the fans had no problem and his hair color. To them, it gave William Boyd's "Hopalong Cassidy", a wise, and mature look, that his young fans listened too.
The second entry in the series was released only 3-month's later, because of the major box office the first film brought to the studio. "The Eagle's Brood", was released on October 25, 1935.
Between the "Hopalong Cassidy", April 14, 1936, "Three on the Trail", and the June 16, 1936, Canadian made crime adventure mystery, "Go-Get-'Em, Haines", starring "BILL" Boyd portraying "Steve Haines". William Boyd divorced Dorothy Sebastian in May 1936.
With April 16, 1937's, "Hills of Old Wyoming", Russell Hayden first appeared as "Lucky Jenkins", replacing James Ellison in the series. Hayden would appear in the character for 25-films.
Above left to right, William Boyd, George "Gabby" Hayes portraying "Windy Halliday", unidentified Native American actor, and Russell Hayden.
In May 1937, 23-years-old actress, Grace Bradley, went on a blind date and met 42-years-old, William Boyd. On his birthday, June 5, 1937, the two married and remained married until his death on September 12, 1972.
On November 15, 1941, "Paramount Pictures" released "Secret of the Wastelands", the last "Hopalong Cassidy" motion picture from the studio, BUT NOT THE LAST "HOPALONG CASSIDY" feature film. On October 23, 1942, "United Artists" picked up the series and released "Undercover Man".
In 1943, "United Artists" stopped making the films, and Harry "Pop" Sherman picked up producing the films, but by 1946, he no longer cared about the series, dreaming about making "Epic Movies". Instead, he only made two Joel McCrea westerns, one in 1947, and one in 1948. Harry Sherman passed away on September 25, 1952.
William Boyd felt otherwise about the "Hoppy" series, and starting with "Fool's Gold", released on a lower budget, October 9, 1946, the actor produced the last 12-features.
When the last "Hopalong Cassidy" motion picture, Number 66, "Strange Gamble", was released on October 8, 1948, William Boyd sold, or mortgaged whatever he had, and purchased the rights to the catalogue from Harry Sherman for $350,000, 1948 dollars.
After he purchased the catalogue, William Boyd went to a local NBC television station and offered to rent one the "Hopalong Cassidy" features for a nominal fee. It was accepted, and this would lead to more rentals, and a television series.
The following is from my article "HI HO SILVER, AWAY: THE 1950'S, When WESTERNS Dominated the Air Waves", found at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2018/01/xxxxx.html
June 24, 1949, saw the premier of the first television Western series, with one of my favorites "Hopalong Cassidy". "Hopalong Cassidy" was a hero in black and a perfect 1950's role model. He respected women, and didn't smoke, swear, or drink alcohol. His favorite drink was Sarsaparilla, an early form of Root Beer. William Boyd started in the role in 1935
The original feature films had been purchased by William Boyd, who portrayed "Hoppy", and the complete films ran on Los Angeles's own KTLA-TV, part of the Paramount Pictures Network, and then later on other of their stations. After the run ended, Boyd struck a deal to edit them down for broadcasting on the NBC television network. Also, NBC made 40 new half programs, which ran with repeats of the edited films through 1954.
Even after the series went off the air. William Boyd was in demand for personal appearances as "Cassidy". He had smartly bought the rights to the name at the time he acquired the films. Below is a picture of William Boyd, as I remember him, and "Hoppy's" faithful horse "Topper". As you will see in the beginning, every Cowboy, or Cowgirl hero, seemed to have a faithful horse.
Boyd was a shrewd businessman. First by purchasing his old "Hopalong Cassidy" motion pictures that were to be destroyed. Next, by seeing the future of the infant medium television, and putting the two together. He also realized the power of merchandising his character. Soon his young fan base wanted everything related to "Cassidy". William Boyd, became the first person to have their image, in this case as "Hopalong Cassidy", placed on a lunch box.
In 1950, when the above lunch box appeared, made by Aladdin Industries. Their sales jumped from 50,000 to 600,000 in that year alone.
Then here were:
William Boyd had created a major television personality, with the majority of the merchandising profits going to him. The lawyers, agents and sponsors wanting their cuts of his profits. Had met their match, because William Boyd had the Registered Ownership of the name "Hopalong Cassidy".
"Hoppy" outfits and cap guns became extremely popular and there were many five to ten year old boys playing Cowboys and Indians with those "Official Pistols".
William Boyd was so popular that "Life Magazine" put him on the cover and had a long article inside.
The Amusement Park was on 80 acres, but low attendance forced its close down in 1954
George's father, William Russell Strange's, Irish line, had married wives from the Native American Cherokee Nation, and he brought that bloodline to his son. While his mother, Sarah Eliza Byrd Strange, brought her son a more historic marriage She was descended from the 1614, British born, Virginia settler, John Rolfe, and his Powhatan Native American wife, Pocahontas. Making Sarah's son the eighth- generation grandson of the couple.
From my article's opening:
This is a look at the many talents of one particular character actor and a real Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, cowboy!
If you've seen many 1930's and 1940's "B" Western's, you've seen the above face portraying the bad-guy's henchmen. Should you been a fan of television's "Gunsmoke", you've seen the face portraying "Sam, the bartender".
My article about actor Glenn Strange is: "GLENN STRANGE: The Monster Sings!", found at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/07/glenn-strange-monster-sings.html
I mention "The Monster", because Glenn Strange also portrayed the "Frankenstein Monster" in three "Universal Pictures", including 1948's, "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein".
Have I solved "The Mystery of Who was Author Harold Robbins's "Nevada Smith?", perhaps not, because the only person who really can answer that died on October 14, 1997.
