Don Terry (born Donald Prescott Loker, August 8, 1902 – October 6, 1988) was an American film actor, best known for his lead appearances in B films and serials in the 1930s and early 1940s. Perhaps his best-known role is probably playing the recurring character of Naval Commander

Don Winslow Don Winslow (born October 31, 1953) is an American retired author best known for his award-winning and internationally bestselling crime novels, including '' Savages'', ''The Force'' and the Cartel Trilogy. Early life Winslow was born on Oct ...

Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...

serials of the early 1940s, including '' Don Winslow of the Navy'' (1942) and ''

Don Winslow of the Coast Guard ''Don Winslow of the Coast Guard'' is a 1943 Universal Pictures Serial film based on the comic strip '' Don Winslow of the Navy'' by Frank V. Martinbek. Plot After service at Pearl Harbor, Naval Commander Don Winslow, and his friend and junior ...

'' (1943).

Early life and background

Terry was born Donald Loker in

Natick Natick ( ) is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is near the center of the MetroWest region of Massachusetts, with a population of 37,006 at the 2020 census. west of Boston, Natick is part of the Greater Boston area. ...

, Massachusetts, in 1902. He was a 1925 graduate of

Harvard Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...

. Some sources give the family name as ''Locher'', perhaps confusing him with actor Charles Locher who became famous as Jon Hall; the Loker spelling is correct, as many charitable enterprises bear the Loker name, as detailed below. Don Terry was discovered while visiting

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

as a tourist. During the visit, he hoped to see some film stars, but had been disappointed. Nearing the end of his trip, he decided to have lunch at Hollywood's Café Montmartre since it was a favorite of many in the film industry. Terry thought he might finally see a film star while having lunch, but found only other tourists who had the same hope. However,

Fox Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush''). Twelve sp ...

screenwriter Charles Francis Coe was at the restaurant and happened to see Terry and thought of the screenplay he had just completed, based on his 1927 novel. Coe introduced himself and asked Terry if he was in the film industry. He gave Terry his business card and invited him to the Fox lot for a

screen test A screen test is a method of determining the suitability of an actor or actress for performing on film or in a particular role. The performer is generally given a scene, or selected lines and actions, and instructed to perform in front of a came ...

. Terry went to the lot expecting only to be able to see some film stars. When Terry's screen test came out of the film laboratory, he was signed as the lead in the 1928 film ''

Me, Gangster ''Me, Gangster'' is a 1928 American silent crime film directed by Raoul Walsh. It stars June Collyer, Don Terry, Anders Randolf and a young Carole Lombard. Cast *June Collyer as Mary Regan * Don Terry as Jimmy Williams *Anders Randolf as Rus ...

'', the screenplay Coe had just written.

Film career

Known for his "typical clean-cut American hero roles", he was signed by

Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...

as a possible replacement for the studio's veteran action star Jack Holt. Terry was one of several tough-guy heroes (including

Victor Jory Victor Jory (November 23, 1902 – February 12, 1982) was a Canadian-American actor of stage, film, and television. He initially played romantic leads, but later was mostly cast in villainous or sinister roles, such as Oberon in ''A Midsummer N ...

, Paul Kelly, and

Charles Quigley Charles Quigley (February 12, 1906 – August 5, 1964) was an American actor. Early years Born in New Britain, Connecticut, Quigley was the son of Charles P. Quigley, who was sales manager for a hardware business. He was a 1924 graduate o ...

) who portrayed "bare-knuckled, sleeves-rolled-up hard hats" in various films. Terry's Columbia "B" features include '' A Fight to the Finish'' (1937), '' Paid to Dance'' (1937), '' Who Killed Gail Preston?'' (1937), ''

When G-Men Step In ''When G-Men Step In'' is a 1938 American action film, directed by Charles C. Coleman and starring Don Terry, Julie Bishop (billed as Jacqueline Wells), and Robert Paige. It released by Columbia Pictures. Cast * Don Terry as Frederick 'Fred' G ...

'' (1938), and ''

Squadron of Honor ''Squadron of Honor'' is a 1938 American action film directed by Charles C. Coleman (director), Charles C. Coleman and starring Don Terry, Mary Russell (actress), Mary Russell, and Thurston Hall. It was produced as a second feature by Columbia Pic ...

'' (1938). Terry's portrayals are complemented by his distinct New England accent, which he never completely lost. Don Terry also became a star of serials, his first chapter play being ''

The Secret of Treasure Island ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'', released by Columbia in 1938. His best-known role is probably playing the recurring character of Naval Commander Don Winslow in

serials of the early 1940s, including '' Don Winslow of the Navy'' (1942) and ''

'' (1943), co-starring

Elyse Knox Elyse Knox (born Elsie M. Kornbrath, December 14, 1917 – February 16, 2012) was an American actress, model, and fashion designer. Early life Knox was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Austrian immigrants Hermine Sophie (née Muc ...

. Knox previously worked with Terry in '' Top Sergeant'' (1942). Terry appeared in ''

Danger in the Pacific ''Danger in the Pacific '' is a 1942 espionage thriller set on a fictional island during World War II. Plot As a cover for his true government mission, British intelligence agent Leo Marzell (Leo Carrillo) sponsors a scientific expedition led by ...

'' (1942) as a scientist, co-starring

Louise Allbritton Louise Allbritton (July 3, 1920 – February 16, 1979) was an American film and stage actress born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her name was sometimes seen as Louise Albritton. She played in such films as ''Pittsburgh'' (1942), '' Who Done It?'' ...

. Other credits include ''

Fugitives A fugitive (or runaway) is a person who is fleeing from custody, whether it be from jail, a government arrest, government or non-government questioning, vigilante violence, or outraged private individuals. A fugitive from justice, also kno ...

'' (1929), ''

Border Romance ''Border Romance'' is a 1929 American pre-Code Western romance film directed by Richard Thorpe. An early sound film, it stars Armida, Don Terry, Marjorie Kane, and Victor Potel. A copy is preserved at the Library of Congress, Packard.''Catalog ...

'' (1929), '' Barnacle Bill'' (1941), ''

Overland Mail Butterfield Overland Mail (officially the Overland Mail Company)Waterman L. Ormsby, edited by Lyle H. Wright and Josephine M. Bynum, "The Butterfield Overland Mail", The Huntington Library, San Marino, California, 1991. was a stagecoach service ...

'' (1942), ''

Sherlock Holmes in Washington Sherlock may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Sherlock Holmes, a fictional detective created by Arthur Conan Doyle ** ''Sherlock'' (TV series), a BBC TV series that started in 2010 ** Sherlock Hemlock, a Muppet from the TV show ''Sesame Street ...

'' (1943) and ''

White Savage ''White Savage'' is a 1943 American Technicolor South Seas adventure film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring Maria Montez, Jon Hall and Sabu. The film was re-released by Realart in 1948 on a double-feature with the same three stars in ''Cobr ...

'' (1943), his last screen appearance before enlisting in the

U.S. Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage o ...

. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was awarded the

Purple Heart The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, w ...

. He left the Navy in 1946 and never returned to film.

Post-film life and career

In 1941, Terry married Katherine Bogdanovich, a daughter of the founder of

StarKist tuna StarKist Tuna is a brand of tuna produced by StarKist Co., an American company formerly based in Pittsburgh's North Shore that is now wholly owned by Dongwon Industries of South Korea. It was purchased by Dongwon from the American food manufactu ...

. Bogdanovich, a 1940 graduate of

University of Southern California The University of Southern California (USC, SC, or Southern Cal) is a Private university, private research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, it is the oldest private research university in C ...

(USC), shared an interest in Olympic competition with her husband. She tried out for the 1932 Olympics as a sprinter. The couple had two daughters, and after completing his

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

service, Terry dropped his screen name and went to work for StarKist as vice president of public and industrial relations. Loker retired from the company in 1965, and the couple then devoted their time and energies to various philanthropic projects by establishing the Donald and Katherine Loker Foundation. The Foundation supported many projects, with a special emphasis on the colleges that were the Lokers' alma maters. They supported USC as board members of long standing, and with financial gifts of more than $30 million over a period of time. The Lokers were long-time friends of

Richard Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Frankish language, Old Frankish and is a Compound (linguistics), compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic language, Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' an ...

and

Pat Nixon Thelma Catherine "Pat" Nixon (''née'' Ryan; March 16, 1912 – June 22, 1993) was First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974 as the wife of President Richard Nixon. She also served as Second Lady of the United States from 1953 to 1961 wh ...

and were also supporters of the Nixon Library. Despite the Lokers' lack of experience in chemistry, Carl Franklin, who was at the time USC's legal vice president, referred them to the university's

hydrocarbon In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons are examples of group 14 hydrides. Hydrocarbons are generally colourless and hydrophobic, and their odors are usually weak or ex ...

research institute, which was established in 1978 with the Lokers' financial aid. In 1983, it was renamed

Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute is on the campus of the University of Southern California. G. K. Surya Prakash serves as the Director and holds the George A. and Judith A. Olah Nobel Laureate Chair of Chemistry. The institute conducts resea ...

in their honor. He died at

Oceanside, California Oceanside is a city on the South Coast (California), South Coast of California, located in San Diego County, California, San Diego County. The city had a population of 167,086 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. The city is a popular ...

on October 6, 1988, aged 86. After his death, his widow continued the couple's philanthropic efforts until her death in 2008.

Partial filmography

*''

'' (1928) - Jimmy Williams *''

Blindfold A blindfold (from Middle English ') is a garment, usually of cloth, tied to one's head to cover the human eye, eyes to disable the wearer's visual perception, sight. While a properly fitted blindfold prevents sight even if the eyes are open, a ...

'' (1928) - Buddy Brower *''

'' (1929) - Dick Starr *'' The Valiant'' (1929) - Policeman (uncredited) *''

'' (1929) - Bob Hamlin *''

Lady with a Past ''Lady with a Past'' is a 1932 American pre-Code romantic comedy film starring Constance Bennett as a shy and very proper young lady who decides to invent a scandalous past for herself to spice up her life. It is based on the novel of the same na ...

'' (1932) - Party Guest (uncredited) *''

Whistlin' Dan ''Whistlin' Dan'' is a 1932 American pre-Code Western film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Ken Maynard, Joyzelle Joyner (wife of Phil Rosen), and Georges Renavent. It was released on March 20, 1932, by Tiffany Productions. It was re-relea ...

'' (1932) - Bob Reid *''

The Billion Dollar Scandal ''The Billion Dollar Scandal'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by Harry Joe Brown and written by Beatrice Banyard, Willard Mack and Gene Towne. The film stars Robert Armstrong, Constance Cummings, Olga Baclanova, Frank Morgan, ...

'' (1933) - Boxer in Fight Montage (uncredited) *''

Her First Mate ''Her First Mate'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film directed by William Wyler and written by Clarence Marks, Earle Snell and H. M. Walker, who adapted it from the play written by Frank Craven, John Golden and Daniel Jarrett. The film sta ...

'' (1933) - Purser, Albany Night Boat (uncredited) *'' A Fight to the Finish'' (1937) - Duke Mallor *'' A Dangerous Adventure'' (1937) - Tim Sawyer *'' Paid to Dance'' (1937) - William Dennis *'' Who Killed Gail Preston?'' (1937) - Tom Kellogg *''

'' (1938) - Larry Kent *''

'' (1938) - Frederick 'Fred' Garth *''

'' (1938) - District Attorney Don Blane *''

You Can't Cheat an Honest Man ''You Can't Cheat an Honest Man'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by George Marshall and Edward F. Cline and starring W. C. Fields. Fields also wrote the story on which the film is based under the name Charles Bogle. Plot Circus propr ...

'' (1939) - Ping-Pong Player (uncredited) *'' Barnacle Bill'' (1941) - Dixon *'' Mutiny in the Arctic'' (1941) - Cole *''

In the Navy "In the Navy" is a song by American disco group Village People. It was released as the first single from their fourth studio album, '' Go West'' (1979). It was a number one hit in Canada, Flanders, Japan and the Netherlands, while reaching numbe ...

'' (1941) - Reef (uncredited) *''

Tight Shoes ''Tight Shoes'' is the ninth studio album by the band Foghat. It was released in 1980 on Bearsville Records. It was also the last release Rod Price participated on until 1994's '' Return of the Boogie Men''. Track listing All tracks by Dave Pe ...

'' (1941) - Haystack - Reporter (uncredited) *''

Hold That Ghost ''Hold That Ghost'' is a 1941 horror comedy film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello and featuring Joan Davis, Evelyn Ankers and Richard Carlson. On August 1, 1941, Abbott and Costello performed a half-hour live version of the film ...

'' (1941) - Strangler (uncredited) *'' Don Winslow of the Navy'' (1942) - Cmdr. Don Winslow *''

Valley of the Sun A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains, which will typically contain a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams over ...

'' (1942) - Lieutenant (uncredited) *'' Unseen Enemy'' (1942) - Canadian Army Captain William Flynn Hitchcock, aka Bill Flinn, posing as Captain Wilhelm Roering *''

Drums of the Congo ''Drums of the Congo'' is a 1942 American drama film, directed by Christy Cabanne. It stars Ona Munson, Stuart Erwin, and Peggy Moran, and was released on July 17, 1942. Cast list * Ona Munson as Dr. Ann Montgomery * Stuart Erwin as Congo Ja ...

'' (1942) - Captain Kirk Armstrong *'' Escape from Hong Kong'' (1942) - Rusty *''

'' (1942) - Dr. David Lynd *'' Top Sergeant'' (1942) - Sgt. Dick 'Rusty' Manson *''

'' (1942) - Buckskin Billy Burke *''

Moonlight in Havana ''Moonlight in Havana'' is a 1942 American film romantic comedy directed by Anthony Mann and featuring Allan Jones, Jane Frazee, and Marjorie Lord. This was Mann's second film as director.. Choreography by Lester Horton. Plot Baseball star Jo ...

'' (1942) - Eddie Daniels *''

'' (1943) - Howe *''

'' (1943) - Cmdr. Don Winslow *''

'' (1943) - Chris (final film role)

References

External links

*
Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute
at the

{{DEFAULTSORT:Terry, Don American male film actors 1902 births 1988 deaths People from Natick, Massachusetts Harvard University alumni 20th Century Studios contract players Male actors from Massachusetts 20th-century American male actors