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Guy Madison

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Guy Madison
Madison in 1957
Born
Robert Ozell Moseley

(1922-01-19)January 19, 1922
DiedFebruary 6, 1996(1996-02-06) (aged 74)
Resting placeForest Lawn Cemetery
EducationBakersfield College
OccupationActor
Years active1944–1989
Spouses
(m. 1949; div. 1954)
Sheila Connolly
(m. 1954; div. 1964)
Children4
AwardsHollywood 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

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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

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David O. Selznick

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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

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Guy Madison and Diana Lynn in Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven, 1948

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, although it was overshadowed by The Best Years of Our Lives, a 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

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Guy Madison by Don Ornitz, 1954

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. 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 its 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 Warner; 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

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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

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Gail Russell (left), future wife of Guy Madison (right) April 1946

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

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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

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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.[25]

Filmography

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Film
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
Television
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

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Year Award Category
1954 Golden Globe Award Special Award (Best Western Star)
1986 Golden Boot Awards Golden Boot

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Barnum, Mike (March 2016). "Getting Paid to Play Cowboys and Indians! An Interview with Wayne Mallory". Classic Images (489): 13–15, 66–70.
  3. ^ a b c "Walk of Fame". Hollywood Walk of Fame. October 25, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Inside Stuff". Photoplay. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  6. ^ "Tall and Tawny". Photoplay. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "What A Guy!". Photoplay. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  8. ^ "Life Story". Modern Screen. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  9. ^ "Star Light, Star Bright". Modern Screen. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ a b "OBITUARY:Guy Madison". Independent. February 8, 1996. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  12. ^ Richard Jewell & Vernon Harbin, The RKO Story. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House, 1982. p. 220
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "Dear Editor". Photoplay. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  16. ^ "Guy Madison Westerns by Boyd Magers".
  17. ^ "Guy Madison Divorces Gail Russell". Reading Eagle. October 7, 1954. p. 26. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  18. ^ Gia Scala: The First Gia
  19. ^ "Guy Madison's Second Wife Sues for Divorce". Ocala Star-Banner. January 27, 1961. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  20. ^ "Wife Divorces Guy Madison, Cites Neglect". The Los Angeles Times. April 4, 1963. p. 34.
  21. ^ Motion Picture and Television Magazine, November 1952, page 34, Ideal Publishers
  22. ^ Meeks, Eric G. (2014) [2012]. The Best Guide Ever to Palm Springs Celebrity Homes. Horatio Limburger Oglethorpe. p. 379. ISBN 978-14 79328598.
  23. ^ "Guy Madison dies; played Bill Hickok". Tuscaloosa News. February 8, 1996. p. 2A. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  24. ^ "CineMemorial". Archived from the original on October 21, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  25. ^ "Palm Springs Walk of Stars by Date Dedicated" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 13, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.

Further reading

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  • Wise, James. Stars in Blue: Movie Actors in America's Sea Services. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1997. ISBN 1557509379. OCLC 36824724.
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