Post by teleadm on Aug 19, 2022 20:03:29 GMT
Some are born with faces that attracts, most of us ain't.
He did work the long way to sudden stardom even if it lasted during a rather short time, and like many prolonged his careers through western movies, later television, and late in his career acted in a few cult movies.
This year we celebrate his birth 100 years ago in Los Angeles.
Rory Calhoun (1922–1999)
He was the son of a professional gambler, so he wasn't from the right track of town, and of Irish decent.
After robbing several jewelry stores, he stole a car and drove it across state lines. This made it a federal offense, and, when he was recaptured, he was sentenced to three years in prison.
In January 1944, he met actor Alan Ladd while riding horseback in the Hollywood Hills. Impressed with Calhoun's physique, Ladd introduced him to his wife Sue Carol, who was a talent agent. She arranged for him to have a screen test at 20th Century Fox, and he was cast in uncredited roles in a few movies.
He later said "I liked the money it brought in, and I felt it would be nice to go back to forestry with a neat bank roll when these fellows found me out. I never had any feeling I'd make good."
After several bad starts, in August 1950, he signed a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox.
A step up after a few musicals, Rouge River 1951 a lead role.
Moved up to co-star status against Susan Hayward in With a Song in My Heart 1952
Ended up with Bette Grable in How to Marry a Millionaire 1953
The unreliable boyfriend of Marilyn Monroe in River of No Return 1954, when Robert Mitchum is the reliable one... that's how bad he was.
The last two movie mentioned were huge hit's, yet Rory decided to break the Fox contract and go freelance.
A Bullet is Waiting 1954 at Columbia with Jean Simmons
Freelancing didn't turn out so good so he signed with Universal.
He starred in the musical Ain't Misbehavin' 1955, at least it had a lot of great Fats Waller music.
So far the latest version of Rex Beach's The Spoilers 1955, fighting Jeff Chandler.
In 1958 Desi Arnaz offered Rory a Television series that became The Texan 1958 to 1960 with a co-production salary, it was a lucrative deal and the series did good in the ratings, yet Rory decided to concentrate on movies instead after 2 years.
He appeared in a few TV-series as guest star and then went to Spain...
The Colossus of Rhodes 1961 directed by a still rather unknown Sergio Leone.
He returned to the U.S. to make several films for producer A.C. Lyles, such as The Young and The Brave 1963, Young Fury 1965 and Apache Uprising 1965 as well as other films such as Face in the Rain 1963.
He continued to appear in both television and film throughout the 1970's and 1980's.
Nowdays a cult movie, with Janet Leigh, DeForest Kelley and Stuart Whitman in Night of the Lepus 1972, the one with the giant
rabbits.
With Nina Axelrod in Motel Hell 1980, a huge success on early video markets.
Another early video success was Angel 1983 and Avenging Angel 1985 were he played "Kit Carson".
He continued to act up until 1993
The above is just a tip of an iceberg since he acted in over 125 movies and television productions between 1944 and 1993.
Thanks for watching!
Opinions of all kinds are welcome
He did work the long way to sudden stardom even if it lasted during a rather short time, and like many prolonged his careers through western movies, later television, and late in his career acted in a few cult movies.
This year we celebrate his birth 100 years ago in Los Angeles.
Rory Calhoun (1922–1999)
He was the son of a professional gambler, so he wasn't from the right track of town, and of Irish decent.
After robbing several jewelry stores, he stole a car and drove it across state lines. This made it a federal offense, and, when he was recaptured, he was sentenced to three years in prison.
In January 1944, he met actor Alan Ladd while riding horseback in the Hollywood Hills. Impressed with Calhoun's physique, Ladd introduced him to his wife Sue Carol, who was a talent agent. She arranged for him to have a screen test at 20th Century Fox, and he was cast in uncredited roles in a few movies.
He later said "I liked the money it brought in, and I felt it would be nice to go back to forestry with a neat bank roll when these fellows found me out. I never had any feeling I'd make good."
After several bad starts, in August 1950, he signed a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox.
A step up after a few musicals, Rouge River 1951 a lead role.
Moved up to co-star status against Susan Hayward in With a Song in My Heart 1952
Ended up with Bette Grable in How to Marry a Millionaire 1953
The unreliable boyfriend of Marilyn Monroe in River of No Return 1954, when Robert Mitchum is the reliable one... that's how bad he was.
The last two movie mentioned were huge hit's, yet Rory decided to break the Fox contract and go freelance.
A Bullet is Waiting 1954 at Columbia with Jean Simmons
Freelancing didn't turn out so good so he signed with Universal.
He starred in the musical Ain't Misbehavin' 1955, at least it had a lot of great Fats Waller music.
So far the latest version of Rex Beach's The Spoilers 1955, fighting Jeff Chandler.
In 1958 Desi Arnaz offered Rory a Television series that became The Texan 1958 to 1960 with a co-production salary, it was a lucrative deal and the series did good in the ratings, yet Rory decided to concentrate on movies instead after 2 years.
He appeared in a few TV-series as guest star and then went to Spain...
The Colossus of Rhodes 1961 directed by a still rather unknown Sergio Leone.
He returned to the U.S. to make several films for producer A.C. Lyles, such as The Young and The Brave 1963, Young Fury 1965 and Apache Uprising 1965 as well as other films such as Face in the Rain 1963.
He continued to appear in both television and film throughout the 1970's and 1980's.
Nowdays a cult movie, with Janet Leigh, DeForest Kelley and Stuart Whitman in Night of the Lepus 1972, the one with the giant
rabbits.
With Nina Axelrod in Motel Hell 1980, a huge success on early video markets.
Another early video success was Angel 1983 and Avenging Angel 1985 were he played "Kit Carson".
He continued to act up until 1993
The above is just a tip of an iceberg since he acted in over 125 movies and television productions between 1944 and 1993.
Thanks for watching!
Opinions of all kinds are welcome
