Guy Madison
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Guy Madison | |
|---|---|
 Madison in 1957 | |
| Born | Robert Ozell Moseley January 19, 1922 |
| Died | February 6, 1996 (aged 74) Palm Springs, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery |
| Education | Bakersfield College |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1944–1989 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4 |
| Awards | Hollywood Walk of Fame |
Guy Madison (born Robert Ozell Moseley; January 19, 1922 – February 6, 1996) was an American film, television, and radio actor. He is best known for playing Wild Bill Hickok in the Western television series The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok from 1951 to 1958.
During his career, Madison was given a special Golden Globe Award in 1954 and two stars (radio, television) on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
Early life[edit]
Madison was born January 19, 1922, in Pumpkin Center, California.[1] He attended Bakersfield College, a junior college, for two years and then worked briefly as a telephone lineman before joining the U.S. Navy in 1942 during World War II. He had three brothers, Wayne, Harold and David, and a sister, Rosemary. Wayne Moseley was an actor, using the stage name Wayne Mallory.[2]
Career[edit]
David O. Selznick[edit]
In 1944, Madison was visiting Hollywood on leave when his boyish good looks and physique caught the eye of Henry Willson, the head of talent at David O. Selznick's newly formed Vanguard Pictures. Willson was widely known for his stable of good-looking young actors with unusual names that he had bestowed upon them, and he immediately rechristened Moseley as Madison and cast him in a bit part as a sailor in Selznick's Since You Went Away (1944).
Although Madison was on the screen for only three minutes, the studio received thousands of letters from fans wanting to know more about him.[3] He received extensive coverage in the influential fan magazines of the time, including Photoplay where his agent Henry Willson had once worked.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
RKO[edit]
Madison returned to military service. When he got out, Selznick assigned his contract to RKO Pictures. RKO gave him a starring role in Till the End of Time, a drama about veterans returning after World War II (1946). The film was a big hit, even though it was overshadowed by The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), another film on a similar theme. However, Madison's acting was criticized as wooden.[3][11]
Madison's second starring role paired him with fellow Selznick contract player Shirley Temple in Honeymoon (1947), which was a huge flop.[12] His career began to suffer, in part because of his limited acting ability.[13][14][15]
Madison was borrowed by William Castle for Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven (1948). He also appeared in Massacre River (1949) and Drums in the Deep South (1951).
The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok[edit]
Madison was eventually dropped by Selznick, along with most of Selznick's contract-players.[11] In 1951 he was cast as the title character in the television series The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1951–58), co-starring Andy Devine as his pal, Pete "Jingles" Jones. The series ran for seven years. During the run of the show, between 1952 and 1955, sixteen feature films were released by Monogram Pictures consisting of episodes combined into a continuous story.[16]
During the series' run, Madison also continued to make features: Red Snow (1952), a war movie for Columbia; The Charge at Feather River (1953), a Warner Brothers Western for Fox in 3-D and a huge hit; The Command (1954), another popular Western for Warners; 5 Against the House (1955), for Columbia; The Last Frontier (1955), supporting Victor Mature; On the Threshold of Space (1955), a science fiction film for Fox; Hilda Crane (1956), a melodrama for Fox; The Beast of Hollow Mountain (1957), shot in Mexico; The Hard Man (1957), a Western; and Bullwhip (1958), another Western.
Europe[edit]
Madison went to Britain for Jet Over the Atlantic (1959) then went to Europe, where he found greater success in sword-and-sandal, spaghetti Western and macaroni combat films. He went to Italy for Slave of Rome (1961), Sword of the Conqueror (1961), Women of Devil's Island (1962), and The Executioner of Venice (1963).
Madison went to Germany for Old Shatterhand (1964) then made a spaghetti Western, Desafío en Río Bravo (1964). He did Kidnapped to Mystery Island (1964), Gentlemen of the Night (1964), The Adventurer of Tortuga (1964), Legacy of the Incas (1965), Renegade Riders (1967), and Son of Django (1967).
He made Bang Bang Kid (1967), The Devil's Man (1967), Superargo and the Faceless Giants (1968), Long Days of Hate (1968), Hell in Normandy (1968), Battle of the Last Panzer (1969), and Reverend's Colt (1970).
Personal life[edit]
Madison married the actress Gail Russell in 1949. They separated in 1953 and divorced in October 1954.[17]
Later that month, Madison married actress Sheila Connolly in Juarez, Mexico. They had three daughters: Bridget, Erin, and Dolly. They separated in November 1960 and divorced in April 1963. He had an affair with Gia Scala and, before her death, she made him the beneficiary to her portion of the Screen Actors Pension Fund.[18][19][20] He had a son, Robert Madison, who also became an actor.
He was a Republican who supported Dwight Eisenhower in the 1952 presidential election.[21]
Death[edit]
Following his retirement, Madison built a large ranch home in Morongo Valley, California.[22] He died of emphysema at the Desert Hospital Hospice in Palm Springs, California, on February 6, 1996, at the age of 74.[23] He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cathedral City, California.[24] His friend, actor turned stockbroker Don Burnett, spoke at his funeral.
Recognition[edit]
For his contribution to the radio and television industries, Madison has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star for his contributions to radio is located at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard; the star for his television contributions is located at 6333 Hollywood Boulevard[3]
In 1996, a Golden Palm Star was dedicated to Madison on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, in Palm Springs, California.[25]
Filmography[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Since You Went Away | Sailor Harold E. Smith | |
| 1946 | Till the End of Time | Cliff W. Harper | |
| 1947 | Honeymoon | Corporal Phil Vaughn | |
| 1948 | Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven | Eddie Tayloe | Alternative title: The Girl from Texas |
| 1949 | Massacre River | Lieutenant Larry Knight | |
| 1951 | Drums in the Deep South | Major Will Denning | |
| 1952 | Smoky Canyon | Henchman | Uncredited |
| Red Snow | Lieutenant Phil Johnson | ||
| 1953 | The Charge at Feather River | Miles Archer | |
| 1954 | The Command | Captain Robert MacClaw | |
| 1955 | 5 Against the House | Al Mercer | |
| The Last Frontier | Capt. Glenn Riordan | Alternative title: Savage Wilderness | |
| 1956 | On the Threshold of Space | Capt. Jim Hollenbeck | |
| Hilda Crane | Russell Burns | ||
| The Beast of Hollow Mountain | Jimmy Ryan | ||
| Reprisal! | Frank Madden aka Neola | Executive producer | |
| 1957 | The Hard Man | Steve Burden | |
| 1958 | Bullwhip | Steve Daley | |
| 1959 | Jet Over the Atlantic | Brett Murphy | |
| 1961 | Slave of Rome | Marco Valerio | Alternative titles: La schiava di Roma, Slave Warrior |
| Sword of the Conqueror | Amalchi | Alternative title: Rosmunda e Alboino | |
| 1962 | Women of Devil's Island | Henri Vallière | Alternative title: Le prigioniere dell'isola del diavolo |
| 1963 | The Executioner of Venice | Rodrigo Zeno | Alternative titles: Il boia di Venezia Blood of the Executioner |
| 1964 | Old Shatterhand | Capt. Bradley | Alternative titles: Shatterhand Apaches' Last Battle |
| Sandokan to the Rescue | Yanez | ||
| Sandokan Against the Leopard of Sarawak | Yanez | Alternative title: Throne of Vengeance | |
| Gunmen of the Rio Grande | Wyatt Earp / Laramie | ||
| Kidnapped to Mystery Island | Souyadhana | Alternative title: I misteri della giungla nera | |
| Gentlemen of the Night | Massimo Tiepolo | Alternative title: Il vendicatore mascherato | |
| 1965 | The Adventurer of Tortuga | Alfonso di Montélimar | Alternative title: L'avventuriero della tortuga |
| Legacy of the Incas | Jaguar / Karl Hansen | Alternative titles: Das Vermächtnis des Inka Viva Gringo | |
| 1966 | Five for Revenge | Tex | Alternative title: I cinque della vendetta |
| 1967 | LSD Flesh of Devil | Rex Miller | Alternative title: LSD – Inferno per pochi dollari |
| Renegade Riders | Col. Thomas Blake | Alternative title: Sette winchester per un massacro | |
| Son of Django | Father Fleming | Alternative titles: Il figlio di Django Return of Django | |
| Bang Bang Kid | Bear Bullock | Alternative titles: The Bang-Bang Kid Bang, Bang | |
| 1968 | Superargo and the Faceless Giants | Prof. Wendland Wond | Alternative title: The King of Criminals |
| Long Days of Hate | Martin Benson | Alternative title: I lunghi giorni dell'odio | |
| Hell in Normandy | Capt. Jack Murphy | Alternative title: Testa di sbarco per otto implacabili | |
| 1969 | Battle of the Last Panzer | Lofty | Alternative title: La Battaglia dell'ultimo panzer |
| Un posto all'inferno | Major Mac Graves | Alternative title: Raiders of the Bloody Beach | |
| Hell Commandos | Major Carter | Alternative title: Comando al infierno | |
| The Devil's Man | Mike | Alternative title: Devilman Story | |
| I diavoli della guerra | Capt. George Vincent | ||
| 1971 | Reverend's Colt | Reverend Miller | Alternative title: Reverendo Colt |
| 1973 | The Silkworm | Robert | Alternative title: The Silk Worm |
| 1975 | The Pacific Connection | The Old Man | |
| 1976 | Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood | Star at screening | |
| 1978 | Where's Willie? | Tony Flore | Alternative titles: Computer Kid Computer Wizard |
| 1979 | The Hughes Mystery | ||
| 1989 | Crossbow: The Movie | Gerrish | Direct-to-video release |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951–1958 | The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok | U.S. Marshal James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok | 112 episodes |
| 1955–1956 | The Ford Television Theatre | Various roles | 2 episodes |
| 1955–1957 | Climax! | 2 episodes | |
| 1957 | Wagon Train | Riley Gratton | Episode: "The Riley Gratton Story" |
| 1958 | General Electric Theater | Adam Tenney | Episode: "Bold Loser" |
| 1959 | Schlitz Playhouse of Stars | Episode: "You Can't Win 'Em All" | |
| 1959 | The Ann Sothern Show | Episode: "Katy and the Cowboy" | |
| 1959 | The Red Skelton Show | Prospector | Episode: "San Fernando's Treasure Hunt" |
| 1960 | Death Valley Days | Luke Short | Episode: "Extra Guns" |
| 1961 | Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater | Jericho | Episode: "Jericho" |
| 1979 | Fantasy Island | Brick Howard | Episode: "Yesterday's Love/Fountain of Youth" |
| 1979 | The Rebels | Lieutenant Mayo | Television film |
| 1987–1988 | Crossbow | Gerrish | 3 episodes |
| 1988 | Red River | Bill Meeker, rancher | Television film, (final film role) |
Awards[edit]
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Golden Globe Award | Special Award (Best Western Star) |
| 1986 | Golden Boot Awards | Golden Boot |
References[edit]
- ^ Monush, Barry (2022). The Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the Silent Era to 1965. Essex, Conn.: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. p. 457. ISBN 9781493070800.
- ^ Barnum, Mike (March 2016). "Getting Paid to Play Cowboys and Indians! An Interview with Wayne Mallory". Classic Images (489): 13–15, 66–70.
- ^ a b c "Walk of Fame". Hollywood Walk of Fame. October 25, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "What A Guy!". Photoplay. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
His is one of the most spectacular successes that has ever been scored on a single performance.
- ^ "Inside Stuff". Photoplay. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "Tall and Tawny". Photoplay. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "What A Guy!". Photoplay. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "Life Story". Modern Screen. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "Star Light, Star Bright". Modern Screen. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "The Torso". Modern Screen. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
Of course, a beautiful brute like Guy Madison will never have to be exactly a John Barrymore to get by. What Guy has is elemental; he's a hunk of young male man-a real, not a phony Apollo.
- ^ a b "OBITUARY:Guy Madison". Independent. February 8, 1996. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ Richard Jewell & Vernon Harbin, The RKO Story. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House, 1982. p. 220
- ^ "Choose Your Star". Photoplay. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
You can be wrong. Behind-the-scenes factors as in the case of Guy Madison, are bound to affect eventual results. Headlines, too, will play their part.
- ^ "Here's Hollywood". Screenland. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
Guy Madison, not his fault because his part is much too big and important for a newcomer, just couldn't give his lines the proper meaning. Over and over they took the scene. Franchot [Tone] couldn't have been more patient and understanding.
- ^ "Dear Editor". Photoplay. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "Guy Madison Westerns by Boyd Magers".
- ^ "Guy Madison Divorces Gail Russell". Reading Eagle. October 7, 1954. p. 26. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
- ^ Gia Scala: The First Gia
- ^ "Guy Madison's Second Wife Sues for Divorce". Ocala Star-Banner. January 27, 1961. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
- ^ "Wife Divorces Guy Madison, Cites Neglect". The Los Angeles Times. April 4, 1963. p. 34.
- ^ Motion Picture and Television Magazine, November 1952, page 34, Ideal Publishers
- ^ Meeks, Eric G. (2014) [2012]. The Best Guide Ever to Palm Springs Celebrity Homes. Horatio Limburger Oglethorpe. p. 379. ISBN 978-14 79328598.
- ^ "Guy Madison dies; played Bill Hickok". Tuscaloosa News. February 8, 1996. p. 2A. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
- ^ "CineMemorial". Archived from the original on October 21, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- ^ "Palm Springs Walk of Stars by Date Dedicated" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 13, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
Further reading[edit]
- Wise, James. Stars in Blue: Movie Actors in America's Sea Services. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1997. ISBN 1557509379. OCLC 36824724.
External links[edit]
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| National | |
| Other | |
