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Chick Chandler

January 01, 1970

Fehmer Christy "Chick" Chandler (January 18, 1905 – September 30, 1988) was an American film character actor who appeared in more than 130 films from 1925 through the mid-1950s. Chandler was known for his starring role as Toubo Smith in the Universal-produced 1955 syndicated television series Soldiers of Fortune.

Chick Chandler
Chandler in 1937
Born
Fehmer Christy Chandler

(1905-01-18)January 18, 1905
Kingston, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 30, 1988(1988-09-30) (aged 83)
Laguna Beach, California, U.S
OccupationActor
Years active1925–1971
Spouse
Eugenia Frontai
​
(m. 1931)​

Early life edit

Born Fehmer Christy Chandler[1] (named after his uncle, well-known architect Carl Fehmer),[2] in Kingston, New York, to Colonel George F. Chandler and the former Martha Schultze (a sportswriter and daughter of Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor Carl Schultze).[3][4] By the age of 12, he was appearing as a dancer and entertainer in local stage shows. His father, an army surgeon and organizer of the New York State Police, enrolled him in a military academy, The Manlius School, which he attended for three years, serving with distinction and rising to the school rank of corporal.[5] At 16, though he was being groomed by his family for a military career, he dropped out to work on a tramp steamer[6] and, later, to pursue work in vaudeville[7] and to study dance at the school of famed choreographer Ned Wayburn.[8]

Career edit

Chandler maintained a successful career throughout the 1920s as a dancer and comedian in vaudeville and burlesque, at times teamed with Naomi Morton, granddaughter of vaudeville and Broadway star Sam Morton.[9]

In 1930, Chandler, still billed as Fehmer Chandler, joined the cast of the Liberty Bell Filling Station radio show starring Chic Sale, as Rodney Gordon, the assistant to Wheel Wilkins (Sale), proprietor of the titular gas station.[10] Two years later, he landed a role in the Ben Hecht-Gene Fowler Broadway play The Great Magoo.[11] Spotting him there, film producer David O. Selznick signed Chandler, now billed under his boyhood nickname Chick, to a film contract at RKO, telling the press that Chandler was "a cross between Lee Tracy and James Cagney."[12][13] Chandler, who had done behind-the-camera work for director Charles Brabin in 1923[14] and had appeared in at least one silent film as an actor, turned full-time to movie acting with his first films under contract, Sweepings and Melody Cruise, in 1933. He appeared mainly in supporting roles, mostly comic, in nearly 120 films over the next 36 years. In the late 1930s he was a fixture at Twentieth Century-Fox, playing wiseguy sidekicks in the studio's series films.

Under the pseudonym Guy Fehmer, Chandler wrote a screenplay about racing called The Quitter.[15] There is no evidence the film was ever produced.

Television edit

In 1955, Chandler was cast in the starring role of Toubo Smith in the adventure series Soldiers of Fortune alongside John Russell as Tim Kelly. In the show, Smith and Kelly traveled the world engaging in treasure hunts, rescues, and exploration adventures. It brought Chandler his greatest fame. He was also a regular on the short-lived 1961 NBC comedy series One Happy Family. During the off-seasons, he toured the country in stock and musical theatrical productions such as Harvey and Annie Get Your Gun.[16]

He kept active in guest appearances on television. He portrayed photographer "Billy Hackett" in the I Love Lucy episode "Ethel's Hometown." The Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode "Alibi Me" (1959) featured a memorable character performance, earning Chandler second billing. In the 1959 debut episode of NBC's Johnny Staccato, he played a police detective who was friendly with John Cassavetes' title character. In 1962 he appeared twice on Mister Ed, first as Mr. Hodges, the human partner of a performing elephant, in "Wilbur and Ed in Show Biz" (Season 3, Ep. 3), and then as John McGivney, a racetrack groom accused of doping, in "Horse Talk" (Season 3, Ep. 18). In 1965 he played the old fisherman Andy McGrew in the Lassie episode "Trouble at Paradise Lake" (Season 12, Ep. 7). In 1966 he played Riff Lawler in the Perry Mason mystery "The Case of the Avenging Angel." He retired in 1971 following a sixth guest appearance on Bonanza.

Personal life edit

 
Drawing of actor Chick Chandler by his cousin, artist Howard Chandler Christy

Chandler was a cousin of artist Howard Chandler Christy, but he is often referred to in period newspapers articles as Christy's "nephew" simply because Chandler referred to Christy as "Uncle Howard".[17]

In February 1925, Chandler became engaged to Ziegfeld Follies performer, beauty contestant winner, and Christy model Dorothy Knapp, whom he had met in Christy's studio in or around 1922.[18] Knapp broke off the engagement to pursue her career further, and Chandler then became partnered, both privately and professionally, with 17-year-old Sallie Sharon, whom he met at West Point. The pair formed a vaudeville team but never married.[19] On April 4, 1931, Chandler married Eugenia "Jean" Frontai, a former contract performer with David Belasco's theatrical company. They were married 57 years, until Chandler's death from a heart attack on September 30, 1988. (Jean Chandler followed her husband in death [from cancer] the next day in the same hospital, South Coast Medical Center.)[20] The couple had no children.

Chandler had been an avid amateur auto racer—until his wife filed for a restraining order to make him stop, as he had promised to do upon their marriage.[21]

Selected filmography edit

References edit

  1. ^ One Little Wink from the Prize West Point "Widow", Hamilton Evening Journal, May 16, 1925, p. 20
  2. ^ Rapid City Journal, August 25, 1939, p. 12
  3. ^ Rapid City Journal, August 25, 1939, p. 12
  4. ^ How Chick Chandler Became an Actor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 16, 1956, p. 60
  5. ^ Manlius 'Old Boy' in New Keith Show, Syracuse Herald, June 12, 1931, p. 25
  6. ^ How Chick Chandler Became an Actor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 16, 1956, p. 60
  7. ^ Children Dance for Comfort Kits, Kingston Daily Freeman, July 26, 1917, p. 12
  8. ^ One Little Wink from the Prize West Point "Widow", Hamilton Evening Journal, May 16, 1925, p. 20
  9. ^ Manlius 'Old Boy' in New Keith Show, Syracuse Herald, June 12, 1931, p. 25
  10. ^ Chick Sale Creates New Character for First Broadcast of Series Tonight, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 18, 1930, p. 7-I
  11. ^ How Chick Chandler Became an Actor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 16, 1956, p. 60
  12. ^ Twenty and Ten Years Ago, Kingston Daily Freeman, December 8, 1952, p. 4
  13. ^ Selznick Gets Two Leading Men in East, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 8, 1932, p. 18
  14. ^ Two Kingstonians in the Movies, Kingston Daily Freeman, February 14, 1923, 7
  15. ^ Novel Twist, Lansing State Journal, July 19, 1938, p. 6
  16. ^ How Chick Chandler Became an Actor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 16, 1956, p. 60
  17. ^ Follies Beauty Loves Art, Turns Down Chandler, Bridgeport Telegram, April 10, 1925, p. 2
  18. ^ "Love Net Snares Super-Beauty". Oakland Tribune. February 26, 1925. p. 16.
  19. ^ One Little Wink from the Prize West Point "Widow", Hamilton Evening Journal, May 16, 1925, p. 20
  20. ^ Movie Tough Guy, Comedian Chick Chandler, Los Angeles Times, October 6, 1988, p. 196
  21. ^ San Bernardino County Sun, November 11, 1933, p. 15
  22. ^ Great Movie Musicals on DVD - A Classic Movie Fan's Guide by John Howard Reid - Google search with book preview

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chick Chandler.
  • Chick Chandler at IMDb

January 01, 1970
chick, chandler, fehmer, christy, chick, chandler, january, 1905, september, 1988, american, film, character, actor, appeared, more, than, films, from, 1925, through, 1950s, chandler, known, starring, role, toubo, smith, universal, produced, 1955, syndicated, . Fehmer Christy Chick Chandler January 18 1905 September 30 1988 was an American film character actor who appeared in more than 130 films from 1925 through the mid 1950s Chandler was known for his starring role as Toubo Smith in the Universal produced 1955 syndicated television series Soldiers of Fortune Chick ChandlerChandler in 1937BornFehmer Christy Chandler 1905 01 18 January 18 1905Kingston New York U S DiedSeptember 30 1988 1988 09 30 aged 83 Laguna Beach California U SOccupationActorYears active1925 1971SpouseEugenia Frontai m 1931 wbr Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Television 4 Personal life 5 Selected filmography 6 References 7 External linksEarly life editBorn Fehmer Christy Chandler 1 named after his uncle well known architect Carl Fehmer 2 in Kingston New York to Colonel George F Chandler and the former Martha Schultze a sportswriter and daughter of Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor Carl Schultze 3 4 By the age of 12 he was appearing as a dancer and entertainer in local stage shows His father an army surgeon and organizer of the New York State Police enrolled him in a military academy The Manlius School which he attended for three years serving with distinction and rising to the school rank of corporal 5 At 16 though he was being groomed by his family for a military career he dropped out to work on a tramp steamer 6 and later to pursue work in vaudeville 7 and to study dance at the school of famed choreographer Ned Wayburn 8 Career editChandler maintained a successful career throughout the 1920s as a dancer and comedian in vaudeville and burlesque at times teamed with Naomi Morton granddaughter of vaudeville and Broadway star Sam Morton 9 In 1930 Chandler still billed as Fehmer Chandler joined the cast of the Liberty Bell Filling Station radio show starring Chic Sale as Rodney Gordon the assistant to Wheel Wilkins Sale proprietor of the titular gas station 10 Two years later he landed a role in the Ben Hecht Gene Fowler Broadway play The Great Magoo 11 Spotting him there film producer David O Selznick signed Chandler now billed under his boyhood nickname Chick to a film contract at RKO telling the press that Chandler was a cross between Lee Tracy and James Cagney 12 13 Chandler who had done behind the camera work for director Charles Brabin in 1923 14 and had appeared in at least one silent film as an actor turned full time to movie acting with his first films under contract Sweepings and Melody Cruise in 1933 He appeared mainly in supporting roles mostly comic in nearly 120 films over the next 36 years In the late 1930s he was a fixture at Twentieth Century Fox playing wiseguy sidekicks in the studio s series films Under the pseudonym Guy Fehmer Chandler wrote a screenplay about racing called The Quitter 15 There is no evidence the film was ever produced Television editIn 1955 Chandler was cast in the starring role of Toubo Smith in the adventure series Soldiers of Fortune alongside John Russell as Tim Kelly In the show Smith and Kelly traveled the world engaging in treasure hunts rescues and exploration adventures It brought Chandler his greatest fame He was also a regular on the short lived 1961 NBC comedy series One Happy Family During the off seasons he toured the country in stock and musical theatrical productions such as Harvey and Annie Get Your Gun 16 He kept active in guest appearances on television He portrayed photographer Billy Hackett in the I Love Lucy episode Ethel s Hometown The Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode Alibi Me 1959 featured a memorable character performance earning Chandler second billing In the 1959 debut episode of NBC s Johnny Staccato he played a police detective who was friendly with John Cassavetes title character In 1962 he appeared twice on Mister Ed first as Mr Hodges the human partner of a performing elephant in Wilbur and Ed in Show Biz Season 3 Ep 3 and then as John McGivney a racetrack groom accused of doping in Horse Talk Season 3 Ep 18 In 1965 he played the old fisherman Andy McGrew in the Lassie episode Trouble at Paradise Lake Season 12 Ep 7 In 1966 he played Riff Lawler in the Perry Mason mystery The Case of the Avenging Angel He retired in 1971 following a sixth guest appearance on Bonanza Personal life edit nbsp Drawing of actor Chick Chandler by his cousin artist Howard Chandler Christy Chandler was a cousin of artist Howard Chandler Christy but he is often referred to in period newspapers articles as Christy s nephew simply because Chandler referred to Christy as Uncle Howard 17 In February 1925 Chandler became engaged to Ziegfeld Follies performer beauty contestant winner and Christy model Dorothy Knapp whom he had met in Christy s studio in or around 1922 18 Knapp broke off the engagement to pursue her career further and Chandler then became partnered both privately and professionally with 17 year old Sallie Sharon whom he met at West Point The pair formed a vaudeville team but never married 19 On April 4 1931 Chandler married Eugenia Jean Frontai a former contract performer with David Belasco s theatrical company They were married 57 years until Chandler s death from a heart attack on September 30 1988 Jean Chandler followed her husband in death from cancer the next day in the same hospital South Coast Medical Center 20 The couple had no children Chandler had been an avid amateur auto racer until his wife filed for a restraining order to make him stop as he had promised to do upon their marriage 21 Selected filmography editRed Love 1925 as Tom Livingston Sweepings 1933 as Gene s Friend uncredited Melody Cruise 1933 as Hickey Blood Money 1933 as Drury Darling Harold Teen 1934 as Lilacs The Party s Over 1934 as Martin Lightning Strikes Twice 1934 as Marty Hicks Murder on a Honeymoon 1935 as Dick French Circumstantial Evidence 1935 as James Richard Jim Baldwin Alias Mary Dow 1935 as Jimmie Kane Tango 1936 as Oliver Huston In Paris A W O L 1936 as Eddie Forgotten Faces 1936 as Chick Three of a Kind 1936 as Jerry Bassett Star for a Night 1936 as Eddie Straight from the Shoulder 1936 as Fly scenes deleted Woman Wise 1937 as Bob Benton Off to the Races 1937 as Spike Time Out for Romance 1937 as Ted Dooley Nobody s Baby 1937 as Elevator Operator uncredited Sing and Be Happy 1937 as Mike Born Reckless 1937 as Windy Bowman One Mile from Heaven 1937 as Charlie Milford The Lady Fights Back 1937 as Steve Crowder Portia on Trial 1937 as Barker Love and Hisses 1937 as Sidney Hoffman City Girl 1938 as Mike Harrison Alexander s Ragtime Band 1938 as Louie Speed to Burn 1938 as Sport Fields Mr Moto Takes a Chance 1938 as Chick Davis Time Out for Murder 1938 as Snapper Doolan While New York Sleeps 1938 as Snapper Doolan Kentucky 1938 as Betting Parlor Clerk uncredited The Mysterious Miss X 1939 as Dan Scooter Casey Inside Story 1939 as Snapper Doolan Rose of Washington Square 1939 22 as Emcee at Theatre uncredited Hotel for Women 1939 as Ben Ritchie Hollywood Cavalcade 1939 as Assistant Director Missing Evidence 1939 as Jerry Howard Too Busy to Work 1939 as Cracker McGurk Swanee River 1939 as Bones Honeymoon Deferred 1940 as Hap Maguire Free Blonde and 21 1940 as Gus On Their Own 1940 as Doc Duggan Pier 13 1940 as Mickey Martin So You Won t Talk 1940 as Lounger uncredited Charter Pilot 1940 as Fred Adams Ride Kelly Ride 1941 as Knuckles The People vs Dr Kildare 1941 as Dan Morton Blondie in Society 1941 as Cliff Peters Puddin Head 1941 as Herman Two in a Taxi 1941 as Sid The Bride Came C O D 1941 as First Reporter It Started with Eve 1941 as Frank Reporter uncredited I Wake Up Screaming 1941 as Reporter Cadet Girl 1941 as Benny Burns Remember the Day 1941 as Mr Mason A Gentleman at Heart 1942 as Louie Home in Wyomin 1942 as Hack Hackett The Big Shot 1942 as Frank Dancer Smith The Magnificent Dope 1942 as Reporter uncredited Baby Face Morgan 1942 as Oliver Harrison My Sister Eileen 1942 as Air Raid Warden uncredited Youth on Parade 1942 as Eddie Reilly Springtime in the Rockies 1942 as Stage Manager uncredited My Heart Belongs to Daddy 1942 as Jiggers Johnston uncredited Rhythm Parade 1942 as Speed He Hired the Boss 1943 as Fuller Action in the North Atlantic 1943 as Goldberg uncredited Spy Train 1943 as Stew Stewart Hi Diddle Diddle 1943 as Saunders The West Side Kid 1943 as Shoelace Minesweeper 1943 as Seaman Corny Welch Johnny Doesn t Live Here Any More 1944 as Jack Seven Doors to Death 1944 starring role as Jimmy McMillan Maisie Goes to Reno 1944 as Tommy Cutter Irish Eyes Are Smiling 1944 as Stage Manager uncredited Leave It to Blondie 1945 as Eddie Baxter Nob Hill 1945 as Wax Museum Guide uncredited Captain Eddie 1945 as Richard Lacey The Chicago Kid 1945 as Squeak Do You Love Me 1946 as Earl Williams uncredited Mother Wore Tights 1947 as Ed uncredited Blondie s Reward 1948 as Bill Cooper Music Man 1948 as Sanders Family Honeymoon 1948 as Taxi Driver Every Girl Should Be Married 1948 as Soda Clerk Hideout 1949 as Joe Bottomley The House Across the Street 1949 as Sanlon uncredited Holiday Affair 1949 as New Year s Celebrant uncredited Key to the City 1950 as Herman Reporter uncredited The Great Rupert 1950 as Phil Davis Key to the City 1950 as Herman Reporter uncredited Curtain Call at Cactus Creek 1950 as Ralph Bright Leaf 1950 as Tobacco Auctioneer uncredited Wyoming Mail 1950 as Saloon Waiter uncredited Mr Imperium 1951 as George Hoskins uncredited Show Boat 1951 as Trocadero Stage Assistant uncredited Lost Continent 1951 as Lieutenant Danny Wilson Steel Town 1952 as Ernie Aaron Slick from Punkin Crick 1952 as Pitchman Private Eyes 1953 as Eddie the Detective The Eddie Cantor Story 1953 as Lesser uncredited It Should Happen to You 1954 as TV Engineer in Booth uncredited Untamed Heiress 1954 as Eddie Taylor A Star Is Born 1954 as Man in Car at Diner uncredited There s No Business Like Show Business 1954 as Harry uncredited 3 Ring Circus 1954 as Drop the Dip Pitchman uncredited Battle Cry 1955 as Captain Chaplin uncredited Alfred Hitchcock Presents 1956 Season 2 Episode 7 Alibi Me as Lucky Moore Naked Gun 1956 as Shakey Wilson Once Upon a Honeymoon 1956 as Wilbur the Angel The Runaway 1961 as Joe Sullivan Customs Officer Dangerous Charter 1962 as Kick shot in 1958 It s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World 1963 as Policeman Outside Ray amp Irwin s Garage The Patsy 1964 as Hedda Hopper s Escort uncredited Nightmare in the Sun 1965 as Bartender The Girl Who Knew Too Much 1969 as Hunley CobbleReferences edit One Little Wink from the Prize West Point Widow Hamilton Evening Journal May 16 1925 p 20 Rapid City Journal August 25 1939 p 12 Rapid City Journal August 25 1939 p 12 How Chick Chandler Became an Actor St Louis Post Dispatch March 16 1956 p 60 Manlius Old Boy in New Keith Show Syracuse Herald June 12 1931 p 25 How Chick Chandler Became an Actor St Louis Post Dispatch March 16 1956 p 60 Children Dance for Comfort Kits Kingston Daily Freeman July 26 1917 p 12 One Little Wink from the Prize West Point Widow Hamilton Evening Journal May 16 1925 p 20 Manlius Old Boy in New Keith Show Syracuse Herald June 12 1931 p 25 Chick Sale Creates New Character for First Broadcast of Series Tonight St Louis Post Dispatch May 18 1930 p 7 I How Chick Chandler Became an Actor St Louis Post Dispatch March 16 1956 p 60 Twenty and Ten Years Ago Kingston Daily Freeman December 8 1952 p 4 Selznick Gets Two Leading Men in East Pittsburgh Post Gazette December 8 1932 p 18 Two Kingstonians in the Movies Kingston Daily Freeman February 14 1923 7 Novel Twist Lansing State Journal July 19 1938 p 6 How Chick Chandler Became an Actor St Louis Post Dispatch March 16 1956 p 60 Follies Beauty Loves Art Turns Down Chandler Bridgeport Telegram April 10 1925 p 2 Love Net Snares Super Beauty Oakland Tribune February 26 1925 p 16 One Little Wink from the Prize West Point Widow Hamilton Evening Journal May 16 1925 p 20 Movie Tough Guy Comedian Chick Chandler Los Angeles Times October 6 1988 p 196 San Bernardino County Sun November 11 1933 p 15 Great Movie Musicals on DVD A Classic Movie Fan s Guide by John Howard Reid Google search with book previewExternal links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chick Chandler Chick Chandler at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chick Chandler amp oldid 1211193288, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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