Nelson Eddy

Jeanette MacDonald

Walter Pidgeon

1897-1984

as Sheriff Jack Rance

who loved “Girl” and lost her.

Born in Canada, “Pidge” started out as a singer in stage musicals (often with Elsie Janis) but his first films were all silents. Tragedy marked his early years. He was critically wounded in an accident while with the Canadian Field Artillery and full recovery was in doubt for several years. He married his childhood sweetheart who died two years later in childbirth. Most of his films were only moderate successes until he teamed with Greer Garson in “Mrs. Miniver”. Walter Pidgeon died of a stroke in 1984 at the age of 87.

Buddy Ebsen

1908-2003

as Alabama

who also loved “Miss Mary”
… simply and totally!

H. B. Warner

1875 – 1958

as Father Sienna,

the kindly priest who gave

the orphan Mary counsel.

Henry Byron Charles Sylvester Lickford was a lot of name for the son of British actor, Charles Warner. He made his debut at the tender age of 7 in his father’s theater. Henry later studied medicine at London’s University College but finally gave in to his heart’s desire and had a very distinguished career on the British and American stage. By 1914 he was playing character parts insilent and sound films, mot notably as Christ in Cecil B. DeMille’s “King of Kings” (1927). Warner played a priest in two Mac/Eddy films. GGW and “New Moon”(1940). He also played a card dealerin “Let Freedom Ring” with Nelson. H. B. Warner died in 1958 at age 83.

Leo Carrillo

1880 – 1961

as Mosquito,

the bandit’s faithful sidekick

A graduate of St. Vincent of Loyola College, Leo became first a newsman then a cartoonist before his success as a dialect comedian. He debuted in films during the late 1920’s at first playing leading men but gradually developing into one of Hollywood’s busiest character actors. Leo played Signor Ferretti in “The Phantom of the Opera” with Nelson in 1943. But after retiring from films, he gained fame in the early 1950’s as Pancho in television’s “Cisco Kid” series. Leo Carrillo died of cancer in 1961 at the age of 80.

Billy Bevan

1887 – 1937

as Nick, the

bartender at the Polka.

Down under in Orange, Australia he was William Bevan Harris and studied at the University of Sydney. He got his stage experience with the Pollard Opera Company. By 1917, Bevan was playing supporting roles in one and two reel comedies and by1929 he had starred in 70 two-reel comedies for Mack Sennett. Billy was also in “Let Freedom Ring” with Nelson Eddy as oneof the railroad workers. Billy Bevan died in 1957 at the age of 70.

Priscilla Lawson

1914 – 1958

as Nina, the bandit’s

traitorous ex-girlfriend

From modeling to movies, Priscilla Shortridge had been crowned “Miss Miami beach” in 1936 and awarded a Universal Studio contract. However, she had a very brief career, remembered most for her portrayal of Princess Aura in the Flash Gordon series and her marriage to actor Alan Curtis. She entered military service during WWII and possibly sustained an injury that resuted in the loss of a limb. Priscilla Lawson died in 1958 in a veteran’s hospital from a bleeding ulcer. She was only 44.

Charlie Grapewin

1869 – 1956

as Uncle Davey who

brought Mary west to California

He was sweet lovable Uncle Henry in “The Wizard of Oz” (1937), Grandpa Joad in “The Grapes of Wrath” (1940) and Jeeter Lester in “Tobacco Road” (1941) just a few of his more memorable roles from a host of old codger character parts. But crusty Charlie began his career on the trapeze in the circus! In the early 40’s he changed his codger persona somewhat to take on the role of old Inspector Queen in the Ellery Queen series on television. Charley Grapewin died in 1956 at the age of 86.

Jeanne Ellis…as young Mary…
her lovely voice floating over an otherwise weary trek westward. Jeanne retired to private life soon after only returning in 1988 to do the television movie “Lip Service”.

Bill Cody, Jr….as the boy…
who became Ramerez. Bill made 11 films, mostly westerns, after GGW through 1985. Tragically the actor took his own life in 1988 at the age of 63.

Noah Beery, Sr...as the General…
who raised the boy. A veteran of silent and sound films, Beery made 24 films after GGw, 198 films in all. His brother Wallace and son Noah, Jr. were also actors. Noah Beery died of a heart attack in 1946 at the age of 64.

Monty Woolley…as the Governor…
..at whose ranch the fiesta was held acameo role... for Woolley who was born Edgar Montillion Woolley. He studied at Yale and Harvard and was an English professor before he became an actor. His role in both the stage and film versions of “The Man Who Came To Dinner” (1939) made him known but hisaward nominations came for “The Pied Piper” (1942) and “since You Went Away” (1944). Monty Woolley died in 1963 at the age of 75.

Brandon Tynan…as the inebriated Professor…
with hidden talents. Born in Ireland, Tynan made six films before GGW and 22 films in all including “The Great Man Votes” (1939) and “Virginia City” (1940). Brandon Tynan died in 1967 at the age of 91.

Leonard Penn …as the troublemaker Pedro.
Penn made 72 films playing lawmen and villains alike in westerns, dramas and even sci-fi. He was Etienne DuBois in “The Firefly” (1937) with Jeanette, a valet in “Batman and Robin” (1949) and a policeman in “To Catch a Thief” (1955). Leonard Penn died of a heart attack in 1975 at age 67.

Robert Z. Leonard

1889 – 1968

Robert Zigler Leonard acted and sang with the California Light Opera but, in films, he was strictly an actor until he directed and acted in a short film “A Woman’s Folly” in 1913. From that time on, directing would take more and more of his time. Over four decades he directed scores of silent and sound movies. Of the Mac/Eddy films, he directed three …“Maytime” (1937), GGW, and “New Moon” (1940) and assisted on one.. “Naughty Marietta” (1935). He produced and directed “Dancing Lady” (1933) with Nelson., and “The Firefly” (1937) with Jeanette (he also played a café extra). Robert Z. Leonard died in 1968 at the age of 78.

Will the real Nelson Eddy please ‘fess up?

Back in the time when tall, blond actors were as scarce as hens’ teeth on the backlots of movie studios, lovely Jeanette MacDonald was co-starring with a gorgeous blond actor by the name of Nelson Eddy in one hit film after another. Off screen she was married to another blond actor, Gene Raymond.

So when she was out and about off the set with a tall, blond man, fans generally believed that it was…Nelson, of course. But was it? Did these men look that much alike? Look below and see if you can tell them apart. And just for fun, I will throw in another blond actor who was also out there in Tinseltown about the same time.