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Jim Bannon

January 01, 1970

James Shorttel Bannon (April 9, 1911 – July 28, 1984) was an American actor and radio announcer known for his work on the I Love a Mystery and Red Ryder series during the 1940s and 1950s.

Jim Bannon
Bannon in 1945
Born
James Shorttel Bannon

(1911-04-09)April 9, 1911
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
DiedJuly 28, 1984(1984-07-28) (aged 73)
Ventura, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1938–1965
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1938; div. 1950)​
Barbara Cork
​
​
(m. 1961; div. 1981)​
Children2, including Jack Bannon[1]

Early life edit

Born in 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri, Bannon attended Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst University, where he played football, baseball, and polo.[2] In 1944, he was ineligible (classified 4-F) for World War II service, owing to an ulcer,[3] so served as a civilian flight instructor.[2]

Career edit

Bannon began his broadcasting career on local radio station KCKN, then briefly at KMOX in St. Louis.[3] He moved to Los Angeles in 1937, beginning his show-business career in radio as an announcer on The Great Gildersleeve, The Chase and Sanborn Hour, and Stars over Hollywood, among others, with his most prominent acting role being that of Detective Jack Packard in the serial I Love a Mystery.[4] A motion-picture adaptation of the show, with Bannon reprising his radio character, was released by Columbia Pictures in 1945 in hopes of launching a franchise, but only two additional pictures were produced; he later described the original film as "a weakened product" in his 1975 autobiography.[4][5][6]

Bannon left radio in 1946 to sign with Columbia as a contract player in his attempt to become a Western movie star,[3] but then left the next year for Republic Pictures. He first served as a stuntman and double before being cast as the lead in his first picture with the company, the 1948 serial Dangers of the Canadian Mounted.[7] While filming The Man from Colorado (1949), Bannon punched director Charles Vidor during an on-set altercation.[6] Vidor was later fired from the production because of conflicts with star William Holden and replaced by Henry Levin, who had directed Bannon in the I Love a Mystery film adaptation.[6][4] Bannon teamed with Whip Wilson and Fuzzy Knight in five low-budget Westerns for Monogram Pictures, all released in 1951.[3]

Bannon is best known for being the last of four actors to portray the fictional cowboy Red Ryder in the long-running B-movie series, completing between 1949 and 1950 what would be the final four pictures in the franchise that were distributed by Eagle-Lion Films,[8] after Republic had let its series rights expire.[3] Bannon openly campaigned for the part by outfitting his car with a Texas Longhorn hood ornament and a Colt 45-style gearshift knob while dressing in Western attire.[1] Upon being cast, he dyed his salt-and-pepper hair red and regularly visited a hairstylist in Louisville, Kentucky, to keep it maintained.[9] Bannon said in 1965 that it was the "toughest part of" playing Red Ryder, "since the pictures were in color."[10] His offscreen requirements in portraying the character included making personal appearances in costume across the country,[11] in addition to a stint with the Tom Packs Circus in 1950.[12]

Following the end of the Red Ryder series, Bannon appeared in films of varying genres before transitioning to Western roles on television. He had a starring role in Flying A Productions' 1955 series The Adventures of Champion, which lasted for one 26-episode season.[13] He then filmed two guest appearances on another Flying A show, Annie Oakley, the next year. Meanwhile, fellow Red Ryder actor Allan "Rocky" Lane and he shot separate pilots for a proposed television series in 1951[14] and 1955, respectively, but both failed to sell.[citation needed] Bannon relocated to Chicago in 1955 to film one season of soap opera Hawkins Falls, Population 6200.[14]

Bannon worked sporadically in the 1960s with bit parts on programs such as Sea Hunt, Wagon Train, and Lassie. His final role was a one-time guest spot on Death Valley Days in 1965. He then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to join radio station KTAR as a morning news broadcaster and the host of his own afternoon show.[10]

Personal life edit

Bannon was the first husband of American actress and comedian Bea Benaderet. They wed in 1938 and had two children, Jack (1940–2017) and Maggie (b. 1947).[1] However, his Red Ryder contract obligations took a toll on their marriage, and Benaderet filed for divorce in 1950.[1] Their son, Jack Bannon, became an actor like his parents. In 1961, Jim Bannon married Barbara Cork, 23 years his junior; the couple divorced in 1981.

Later in his life, Bannon suffered from emphysema.[2][3] He died in Ventura, California, on July 28, 1984, at age 73.

Selected filmography edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Westhoff, Jeffrey (Winter 2014). "From A to Bea". Nostalgia Digest. 40 (1): 42–48.
  2. ^ a b c Freese, Gene Scott (April 10, 2014). Hollywood Stunt Performers, 1910s–1970s: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0786476435.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Anderson, Chuck. "Jim Bannon". The Old Corral. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c LoBianco, Lorraine. "I Love a Mystery". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  5. ^ Misiaszek, Brian Christopher. "The Columbia ILAM Film series: 'I Love A Mystery'". Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c Bannon, Jim. The Son that Rose in the West. Devil's Hole Printery (1975). ASIN B000711G6O.
  7. ^ Meyers, Geoff (February 9, 2017). Encyclopedia of American Film Serials. McFarland & Company. pp. 86–88. ISBN 978-0786477623.
  8. ^ Magers, Boyd. "Jim Bannon Westerns". WesternClippings.com. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  9. ^ "Even Cowboy Stars (Tsk!) Are Tinting Their Tresses". The Courier-Journal. Louisville. October 3, 1950. p. 19.
  10. ^ a b "Red Ryder Joins Staff of KTAR". Arizona Republic. Phoenix. December 5, 1965. p. 22C.
  11. ^ "Jim Bannon, As Red Ryder, Here In Person Thursday". The Daily Register. Harrisburg, Illinois. October 1, 1949. p. 6. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Advance Sales Big for Packs' Illinois Dates". The Billboard. June 24, 1950. p. 88. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  13. ^ Magers, Boyd. "Do You Remember…'Adventures of Champion'". WesternClippings. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  14. ^ a b Anderson, Chuck. "Jim Bannon". The Old Corral. p. 2. Retrieved July 8, 2017.

Further reading edit

  • Bannon, Jim (1975). The Son that Rose in the West. Devil's Hole Printery. ASIN B000711G6O. OCLC 15926620.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jim Bannon.
  • Jim Bannon February 2, 2020, at the Wayback Machine at RadioGOLDINdex
  • Jim Bannon at IMDb
  • Jim Bannon at AllMovie
  • I Love a Mystery (1945) press release

January 01, 1970
bannon, james, shorttel, bannon, april, 1911, july, 1984, american, actor, radio, announcer, known, work, love, mystery, ryder, series, during, 1940s, 1950s, bannon, 1945bornjames, shorttel, bannon, 1911, april, 1911kansas, city, missouri, diedjuly, 1984, 1984. James Shorttel Bannon April 9 1911 July 28 1984 was an American actor and radio announcer known for his work on the I Love a Mystery and Red Ryder series during the 1940s and 1950s Jim BannonBannon in 1945BornJames Shorttel Bannon 1911 04 09 April 9 1911Kansas City Missouri U S DiedJuly 28 1984 1984 07 28 aged 73 Ventura California U S OccupationActorYears active1938 1965SpousesBea Benaderet m 1938 div 1950 wbr Barbara Cork m 1961 div 1981 wbr Children2 including Jack Bannon 1 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Selected filmography 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksEarly life editBorn in 1911 in Kansas City Missouri Bannon attended Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst University where he played football baseball and polo 2 In 1944 he was ineligible classified 4 F for World War II service owing to an ulcer 3 so served as a civilian flight instructor 2 Career editBannon began his broadcasting career on local radio station KCKN then briefly at KMOX in St Louis 3 He moved to Los Angeles in 1937 beginning his show business career in radio as an announcer on The Great Gildersleeve The Chase and Sanborn Hour and Stars over Hollywood among others with his most prominent acting role being that of Detective Jack Packard in the serial I Love a Mystery 4 A motion picture adaptation of the show with Bannon reprising his radio character was released by Columbia Pictures in 1945 in hopes of launching a franchise but only two additional pictures were produced he later described the original film as a weakened product in his 1975 autobiography 4 5 6 Bannon left radio in 1946 to sign with Columbia as a contract player in his attempt to become a Western movie star 3 but then left the next year for Republic Pictures He first served as a stuntman and double before being cast as the lead in his first picture with the company the 1948 serial Dangers of the Canadian Mounted 7 While filming The Man from Colorado 1949 Bannon punched director Charles Vidor during an on set altercation 6 Vidor was later fired from the production because of conflicts with star William Holden and replaced by Henry Levin who had directed Bannon in the I Love a Mystery film adaptation 6 4 Bannon teamed with Whip Wilson and Fuzzy Knight in five low budget Westerns for Monogram Pictures all released in 1951 3 Bannon is best known for being the last of four actors to portray the fictional cowboy Red Ryder in the long running B movie series completing between 1949 and 1950 what would be the final four pictures in the franchise that were distributed by Eagle Lion Films 8 after Republic had let its series rights expire 3 Bannon openly campaigned for the part by outfitting his car with a Texas Longhorn hood ornament and a Colt 45 style gearshift knob while dressing in Western attire 1 Upon being cast he dyed his salt and pepper hair red and regularly visited a hairstylist in Louisville Kentucky to keep it maintained 9 Bannon said in 1965 that it was the toughest part of playing Red Ryder since the pictures were in color 10 His offscreen requirements in portraying the character included making personal appearances in costume across the country 11 in addition to a stint with the Tom Packs Circus in 1950 12 Following the end of the Red Ryder series Bannon appeared in films of varying genres before transitioning to Western roles on television He had a starring role in Flying A Productions 1955 series The Adventures of Champion which lasted for one 26 episode season 13 He then filmed two guest appearances on another Flying A show Annie Oakley the next year Meanwhile fellow Red Ryder actor Allan Rocky Lane and he shot separate pilots for a proposed television series in 1951 14 and 1955 respectively but both failed to sell citation needed Bannon relocated to Chicago in 1955 to film one season of soap opera Hawkins Falls Population 6200 14 Bannon worked sporadically in the 1960s with bit parts on programs such as Sea Hunt Wagon Train and Lassie His final role was a one time guest spot on Death Valley Days in 1965 He then moved to Phoenix Arizona to join radio station KTAR as a morning news broadcaster and the host of his own afternoon show 10 Personal life editBannon was the first husband of American actress and comedian Bea Benaderet They wed in 1938 and had two children Jack 1940 2017 and Maggie b 1947 1 However his Red Ryder contract obligations took a toll on their marriage and Benaderet filed for divorce in 1950 1 Their son Jack Bannon became an actor like his parents In 1961 Jim Bannon married Barbara Cork 23 years his junior the couple divorced in 1981 Later in his life Bannon suffered from emphysema 2 3 He died in Ventura California on July 28 1984 at age 73 Selected filmography editRiders of the Deadline 1943 The Soul of a Monster 1944 Dr Roger Vance Sergeant Mike 1944 Lt Patrick Henry The Missing Juror 1944 Joe Keats Tonight and Every Night 1945 Life Photographer I Love a Mystery 1945 Jack Packard The Gay Senorita 1945 Phil Dolan Out of the Depths 1945 Capt Faversham The Devil s Mask 1946 Jack Packard Renegades 1946 Cash Dembrow The Unknown 1946 Jack Packard Johnny O Clock 1947 Chuck Blayden The 13th Hour 1947 Jerry Mason Framed 1947 Jack Woodworth The Corpse Came C O D 1947 Det Lt Mark Wilson T Men 1947 Agent Lindsay Dangers of the Canadian Mounted 1948 Serial Sgt Chris Royal RCMP Trail to Laredo 1948 Dan Parks Miraculous Journey 1948 Nick Travelli Frontier Revenge 1948 Brant Henchman The Man from Colorado 1948 Nagel Ride Ryder Ride 1949 Red Ryder Daughter of the Jungle 1949 Kenneth Richards Roll Thunder Roll 1949 Red Ryder The Fighting Redhead 1949 Red Ryder Cowboy and the Prizefighter 1949 Red Ryder Jiggs and Maggie Out West 1950 Snake Bite Carter Kill the Umpire 1950 Dusty uncredited Sierra Passage 1950 Jud Yorke Ridin the Outlaw Trail 1951 Ace Donley Dead or Alive 1951 U S Marshal Jim Bannon Canyon Raiders 1951 Himself Nevada Badmen 1951 Himself The Texas Rangers 1951 Jeff Barton Outlaw uncredited Stagecoach Driver 1951 Himself Unknown World 1951 Andy Ostergaard Lawless Cowboys 1951 Himself The Great Missouri Raid 1951 Rodeo 1952 Bat Gorman Phantom from Space 1953 Police Sergeant The Great Jesse James Raid 1953 Bob Ford Jack Slade 1953 Farnsworth War Arrow 1953 Capt Roger Corwin The Command 1954 Infantryman uncredited Chicago Confidential 1957 Pilot uncredited Too Much Too Soon 1958 Actor as Thomas Jefferson in Play uncredited Bat Masterson 1958 Town Sheriff Girls on the Loose 1958 Vault Guard uncredited The Shaggy Dog 1959 Betz FBI Stenographer uncredited They Came to Cordura 1959 Capt Paltz Inside the Mafia 1959 Louie Regent Associate uncredited 40 Pounds of Trouble 1962 Western Gambler uncredited A Gathering of Eagles 1963 Col Morse Man s Favorite Sport 1964 Forest Ranger uncredited Good Neighbor Sam 1964 Policeman uncredited References edit a b c d Westhoff Jeffrey Winter 2014 From A to Bea Nostalgia Digest 40 1 42 48 a b c Freese Gene Scott April 10 2014 Hollywood Stunt Performers 1910s 1970s A Biographical Dictionary McFarland amp Company ISBN 978 0786476435 a b c d e f Anderson Chuck Jim Bannon The Old Corral Retrieved June 29 2017 a b c LoBianco Lorraine I Love a Mystery Turner Classic Movies Retrieved July 1 2017 Misiaszek Brian Christopher The Columbia ILAM Film series I Love A Mystery Retrieved July 7 2017 a b c Bannon Jim The Son that Rose in the West Devil s Hole Printery 1975 ASIN B000711G6O Meyers Geoff February 9 2017 Encyclopedia of American Film Serials McFarland amp Company pp 86 88 ISBN 978 0786477623 Magers Boyd Jim Bannon Westerns WesternClippings com Retrieved July 3 2017 Even Cowboy Stars Tsk Are Tinting Their Tresses The Courier Journal Louisville October 3 1950 p 19 a b Red Ryder Joins Staff of KTAR Arizona Republic Phoenix December 5 1965 p 22C Jim Bannon As Red Ryder Here In Person Thursday The Daily Register Harrisburg Illinois October 1 1949 p 6 Retrieved November 7 2020 via Newspapers com Advance Sales Big for Packs Illinois Dates The Billboard June 24 1950 p 88 Retrieved November 7 2020 Magers Boyd Do You Remember Adventures of Champion WesternClippings Retrieved July 5 2017 a b Anderson Chuck Jim Bannon The Old Corral p 2 Retrieved July 8 2017 Further reading editBannon Jim 1975 The Son that Rose in the West Devil s Hole Printery ASIN B000711G6O OCLC 15926620 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jim Bannon Jim Bannon Archived February 2 2020 at the Wayback Machine at RadioGOLDINdex Jim Bannon at IMDb Jim Bannon at AllMovie I Love a Mystery 1945 press release Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jim Bannon amp oldid 1212665427, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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