Don Alvarado (born José Ray Paige, November 4, 1904 – March 31, 1967) was an American actor, assistant director and film

production manager In the cinema of the United States, a unit production manager (UPM) is the Directors Guild of America–approved title for the top below-the-line staff position, responsible for the administration of a feature film or television production. Non- ...

Life and career

Born Jose Paige in

Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque ( ; ), ; kee, Arawageeki; tow, Vakêêke; zun, Alo:ke:k'ya; apj, Gołgéeki'yé. abbreviated ABQ, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its nicknames, The Duke City and Burque, both reference its founding in ...

, Alvarado first studied agriculture on his father's sheep and cattle ranch. In 1922, at just age 18 he ran away from home and went to

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' ...

, hoping to find acting work in the fledgling silent film industry. He secured work in a sweet factory before getting into the films working as an extra. While in Los Angeles, he became close friends with the México-born actor, Luis Antonio Dámaso de Alonso, who would later be known as

Gilbert Roland Luis Antonio Dámaso de Alonso (December 11, 1905 – May 15, 1994), known professionally as Gilbert Roland, was a Mexican-born American film and television actor whose career spanned seven decades from the 1920s until the 1980s. He was twice no ...

. The struggling young actors shared a place for a time. Alvarado soon met and fell in love with aspiring actress, sixteen-year-old Ann Boyar, the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants. They married in 1924. Later that year they had a daughter, actress

Joy Page Joy Page (born Joy Cerrette Paige; November 9, 1924 – April 18, 2008) was an American actress. She is best known for her role as the Bulgarian refugee Annina Brandel in ''Casablanca'' (1942). She was sometimes credited as Joanne Page. Early l ...

. Studio head,

Jack L. Warner Jack Leonard Warner (born Jacob Warner; August 2, 1892 – September 9, 1978) was a Canadian-American film executive, who was the president and driving force behind the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. Warner's career spanned some ...

, fell in love with Ann and convinced her to file for divorce from Alvarado using what used to be called a "quickie divorce" conveniently available in

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

. She did so by August 1932. She moved in with Warner perhaps as early as September 1933 and married him in 1936. In 1932, Alvarado was briefly engaged to the musical-comedy star

Marilyn Miller Marilyn Miller (born Mary Ellen Reynolds; September 1, 1898 – April 7, 1936) was one of the most popular Broadway musical stars of the 1920s and early 1930s. She was an accomplished tap dancer, singer and actress, and the combination of these ...

, but the marriage did not take place. As for his professional career, Alvarado got his first uncredited

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) ...

part in the 1924 film, ''

Mademoiselle Midnight ''Mademoiselle Midnight'' is a 1924 American silent drama film starring Mae Murray and directed by Murray's then husband, Robert Z. Leonard. The film was written by Carl Harbaugh and John Russell. The film was the final release of Metro under ...

''. With the studio capitalizing on his "

Latin Lover Latin lover is a stereotypical stock character, part of the Hollywood star system. It appeared for the first time in Hollywood in the 1920s and, for the most part, lost popularity during World War II. In time, the type evolved, developing var ...

" looks, Alvarado was quickly cast in secondary and then leading roles. With the advent of

talkies A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. The first known public exhibition of projected sound films took place in Paris in 1900, but decades passed before ...

, this all but ended his starring roles. He did, however, manage to work regularly, usually cast in secondary

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

character Character or Characters may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * ''Character'' (novel), a 1936 Dutch novel by Ferdinand Bordewijk * ''Characters'' (Theophrastus), a classical Greek set of character sketches attributed to The ...

roles, such as in the 1929

Thornton Wilder Thornton Niven Wilder (April 17, 1897 – December 7, 1975) was an American playwright and novelist. He won three Pulitzer Prizes — for the novel '' The Bridge of San Luis Rey'' and for the plays ''Our Town'' and '' The Skin of Our Teeth'' — ...

adaptation of ''

The Bridge of San Luis Rey ''The Bridge of San Luis Rey'' is American author Thornton Wilder's second novel. It was first published in 1927 to worldwide acclaim. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1928, and was the best-selling work of fiction that year. Premise ''The Bri ...

''. Alvarado appeared on stage in '' Dinner At Eight'' at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles in 1933. In 1939, using the name "Don Page" for

screen credit Screen or Screens may refer to: Arts * Screen printing (also called ''silkscreening''), a method of printing * Big screen, a nickname associated with the motion picture industry * Split screen (filmmaking), a film composition paradigm in which m ...

purposes, he began working as an assistant director for

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California, and a subsidiary of Warner Bros. D ...

and a few years later as a production manager. In these capacities he was part of the team that made a number of highly successful films including '' The Treasure of the Sierra Madre'' (1948), '' East of Eden'' and ''

Rebel Without a Cause ''Rebel Without a Cause'' is a 1955 American coming-of-age drama film about emotionally confused suburban, middle-class teenagers. Filmed in the then recently introduced CinemaScope format and directed by Nicholas Ray, it offered both social com ...

'' in 1955, and in 1958 his final film work, ''

The Old Man and the Sea ''The Old Man and the Sea'' is a novella written by the American author Ernest Hemingway in 1951 in Cayo Blanco (Cuba), and published in 1952. It was the last major work of fiction written by Hemingway that was published during his lifetime. ...

''.

Death

Alvarado died of

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

on March 31, 1967, aged 62, in

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California Hollywood is a neighborhood in the central region of Los Angeles, California. Its name has come to be a shorthand reference for the U.S. film industry and the people associated with it. Many notable film studios, such as Columbia Pictures, ...

and was interred in the

Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries is an American corporation that owns and operates a chain of cemeteries and mortuaries in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties in Southern California. History The company was founded by a group of ...

Hollywood Hills The Hollywood Hills are a residential neighborhood in the central region of Los Angeles, California. Geography The Hollywood Hills straddle the Cahuenga Pass within the Santa Monica Mountains. The neighborhood touches Studio City, Univer ...

. For his contributions to the film industry, Alvarado has a motion pictures star on the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Californ ...

at 6504

Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood Boulevard is a major east–west street in Los Angeles, California. It begins in the east at Sunset Boulevard in the Los Feliz district and proceeds to the west as a major thoroughfare through Little Armenia and Thai Town, Hollywoo ...

Filmography

*''

'' (1924) - Dancer at Fiesta (uncredited) (unbilled) *''

The Spaniard The Spaniard (foaled 1962) was a Thoroughbred gelding Horse racing, racehorse best known for winning the 1970 Scottish Grand National. Out of the mare Perle d'Espagne, he was sired by Sayajirao whose wins included the Irish Derby and St. Leger St ...

'' (1925) - Matador (uncredited) *''

The Wife Who Wasn't Wanted ''The Wife Who Wasn't Wanted'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by James Flood and written by Bess Meredyth. It is based on the 1923 novel ''The Wife Who Wasn't Wanted'' by Gertie Wentworth-James. The film stars Irene Rich, Huntley ...

'' (1925) - Theo *'' Satan in Sables'' (1925) - Student *''

The Pleasure Buyers ''The Pleasure Buyers'' is a 1925 American silent mystery drama film directed by Chester Withey and starring Irene Rich, Clive Brook, and Gayne Whitman. It was made by Warner Bros. In 1926 it was released in Britain by Gaumont British Distrib ...

'' (1925) - Tommy Wiswell *''

His Jazz Bride ''His Jazz Bride'' is a 1926 American silent drama film released by Warner Brothers Pictures. The movie starred Marie Prevost and Matt Moore. Cast *Marie Prevost as Gloria Gregory * Matt Moore as Dick Gregory *Gayne Whitman *John Patrick *M ...

'' (1926) *''

The Night Cry ''The Night Cry'' is a 1926 American silent film family drama directed by Herman C. Raymaker and starring Rin Tin Tin. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Cast * Rin Tin Tin as himself *John Harron as John Martin * June Marlowe ...

'' (1926) - Pedro *''

A Hero of the Big Snows ''A Hero of the Big Snows'' is a 1926 American silent adventure film directed by Herman C. Raymaker and written by Ewart Adamson. The film stars Rin Tin Tin, Alice Calhoun, Don Alvarado, Leo Willis and Mary Jane Milliken. The film was release ...

'' (1926) - Ed Nolan *''

The Monkey Talks ''The Monkey Talks'' is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Raoul Walsh and written by Malcolm Stuart Boylan and Elizabeth Pickett Chevalier. The film stars Olive Borden, Jacques Lerner, Don Alvarado, Malcolm Waite, Raymond Hitchc ...

'' (1927) - Sam Wick *'' The Loves of Carmen'' (1927) - José *''

Breakfast at Sunrise ''Breakfast at Sunrise'' is a 1927 silent film comedy directed by Malcolm St. Clair and produced by and starring Constance Talmadge. It was distributed by First National Pictures. Prints survive at George Eastman House and Library of Congress. ...

'' (1927) - Lussan *''

Drums of Love ''Drums of Love'' (1928) is a silent romance film directed by D. W. Griffith. Plot After finding out her father and his estate is in danger, Princess Emanuella saves his life by marrying Duke Cathos de Alvia, a grotesque hunchback. She actually ...

'' (1928) - Count Leonardo de Alvia *''

No Other Woman ''No Other Woman'' is a 2011 Filipino romantic drama film starring Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsay, and Cristine Reyes. The film is notable for breaking box office records in the Philippines. It currently holds the title of third highest grossing Fi ...

'' (1928) - Maurice *'' The Scarlet Lady'' (1928) - Prince Nicholas *'' The Battle of the Sexes'' (1928) - Babe Winsor *''

Driftwood __NOTOC__ Driftwood is wood that has been washed onto a shore or beach of a sea, lake, or river by the action of winds, tides or waves. In some waterfront areas, driftwood is a major nuisance. However, the driftwood provides shelter and fo ...

'' (1928) - Jim Curtis *'' The Apache'' (1928) - Pierre Dumont *''

'' (1929) - Manuel *'' Rio Rita'' (1929) - Roberto Ferguson *''

The Bad One ''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 ...

'' (1930) - The Spaniard *''

Estrellados ''Estrellados'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Salvador de Alberich and Edward Sedgwick, and written by Salvador de Alberich, Paul Dickey and Richard Schayer. The film stars Buster Keaton, Raquel Torres, Don Alvarado, Ma ...

'' (1930) - Larry Mitchell *'' Captain Thunder'' (1930) - Juan *''To oneiron tou glyptou'' (1930) *'' Forever Yours'' (1930) *'' Free and Easy'' (1930) *''

Beau Ideal ''Beau Ideal'' is a 1931 American pre-Code adventure film directed by Herbert Brenon and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The film was based on the 1927 adventure novel ''Beau Ideal'' by P. C. Wren, the third novel in a series of five novels base ...

'' (1931) - Ramon Gonzales *''Reputation'' (1931) *''

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) - Carlos Santiagos *'' The Bachelor's Affairs'' (1932) - Ramon Alvarez *'' La Cucuracha'' (1932) *''

The King Murder ''The King Murder'' is a 1932 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Conway Tearle, Natalie Moorhead and Marceline Day.Pitts p. 90 Main cast * Conway Tearle as Detective Chief Henry Barton * Natalie Moorhead ...

'' (1932) - Jose Moreno *''Contraband'' (1933) *''

Black Beauty ''Black Beauty: His Grooms and Companions, the Autobiography of a Horse'' is an 1877 novel by English author Anna Sewell. It was composed in the last years of her life, during which she was bedridden and seriously ill.Merriam-Webster (1995). ...

'' (1933) - Renaldo *''

Morning Glory Morning glory (also written as morning-glory) is the common name for over 1,000 species of flowering plants in the family Convolvulaceae, whose current taxonomy and systematics are in flux. Morning glory species belong to many genera, some of ...

'' (1933) - Pepi Velez *''

Under Secret Orders ''Under Secret Orders'', also known as ''Mademoiselle Doctor'', is a 1937 British spy film directed by Edmond T. Gréville and starring Erich von Stroheim, John Loder, Dita Parlo and Claire Luce. It is an English-language version of the Frenc ...

'' (1933) - Don Frederico *'' Red Wagon'' (1933) - Davey Heron *''

On Secret Service ''On Secret Service'' is a 1933 British thriller film directed by Arthur B. Woods and starring Greta Nissen, Karl Ludwig Diehl, Don Alvarado, and Austin Trevor. It was produced by British International Pictures. It is based on the 1933 German ...

'' (1933) - Conte Valenti *'' No Sleep on the Deep'' (1934, Short) - Prince Enrico *''

Demon for Trouble A demon is a malevolent supernatural entity. Historically, belief in demons, or stories about demons, occurs in religion, occultism, literature, fiction, mythology, and folklore; as well as in media such as comics, video games, movies, anime, ...

'' (1934) - Golinda *'' Once to Every Bachelor'' (1934) - Rocco *'' Sweet Adeline'' (1934) - Renaldo (uncredited) *'' The Devil is a Woman'' (1935) - Morenito *''

I Live for Love ''I Live for Love'' is a 1935 American musical comedy film directed by Busby Berkeley and starring Dolores del Río, Everett Marshall and Guy Kibbee. The film's sets were designed by the art director Esdras Hartley. Plot summary Donna Del R ...

'' (1935) - Rico Cesaro *'' Rosa DeFrancia'' (1935) - El marqués de Magny *'' Rose of the Rancho'' (1936) - Don Luis Espinosa *''

Federal Agent ''Federal Agent'' is a 1936 American crime film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Barry Barringer. The film stars William Boyd, Irene Ware, Don Alvarado, Lenita Lane, George Cooper and Charles A. Browne. The film was released on April 1 ...

'' (1936) - Armand Recard *''

Rio Grande Romance ''Rio Grande Romance'' is a 1936 American film directed by Robert F. Hill It was one of the few non-Westerns from Sam Katzman's Victory Studios. It was also known as Put on the Spot.Put on the Spot'' (1936) - Jack Carter (archive footage) *'' Nobody's Baby'' (1937) - Tony Cortez *''

The Lady Escapes ''The Lady Escapes'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Eugene Forde and starring Gloria Stuart, Michael Whalen, George Sanders and Cora Witherspoon. It is based on a Hungarian play. Plot summary A newly married couple argue constantly ...

'' (1937) - Antonio *''

Love Under Fire ''Love Under Fire'' is a 1937 American drama film based upon the play by Walter C. Hackett. It was directed by George Marshall and stars Loretta Young, Don Ameche and Frances Drake. The film's sets were designed by the art director Rudolph Ster ...

'' (1937) - Lieutenant Cabana *''

Rose of the Rio Grande ''Rose of the Rio Grande'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by William Nigh and starring Movita Castaneda as Rosita de la Torre. Plot When killers come after her wealthy brother Don Jose, she narrowly escapes with Sebastian and hides ...

'' (1938) - Don Jose del Torre *''

A Trip to Paris ''A Trip to Paris'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair (filmmaker), Malcolm St. Clair and starring Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane and Spring Byington.Drew p.180 It was part of the Jones Family series of films. In the film, the ...

'' (1938) - Gigolo (uncredited) *''

Cafe Society A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-caf ...

'' (1939) - Don Jose Monterico (uncredited) *''

One Night in the Tropics ''One Night in the Tropics'' is a 1940 comedy film which was the film debut of Abbott and Costello. They are listed as supporting actors but have major exposure with five of their classic routines, including an abbreviated version of "Who's On Fi ...

'' (1940) - Rudolfo *'' The Treasure of the Sierra Madre'' (1948) *''

The Big Steal ''The Big Steal'' is a 1949 American black-and-white film noir reteaming '' Out of the Past'' stars Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer. The film was directed by Don Siegel, based on the short story "The Road to Carmichael's" by Richard Wormser. Pl ...

'' (1949) - Lt. Ruiz *'' East of Eden'' (1955) *''

'' (1955) *''

'' (1958) - Waiter (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

* * *
Don Alvarado
at Virtual History {{DEFAULTSORT:Alvarado, Don 1904 births 1967 deaths 20th-century American male actors Male actors from Albuquerque, New Mexico American male silent film actors Male actors from New Mexico Deaths from cancer in California Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) Unit production managers