Jackie Moran (January 26, 1923 – September 20, 1990) was an American movie actor who, between 1936 and 1946, appeared in over thirty films, primarily in teenage roles.

Early life and Hollywood career

A native of

Mattoon, Illinois Mattoon ( ) is a city in Coles County, Illinois, United States. The population was 16,870 as of the 2020 census. The city is home to Lake Land College and has close ties with its neighbor, Charleston. Both are principal cities of the Charleston� ...

, John E. Moran first sang in a church choir. He was discovered by

Mary Pickford Gladys Marie Smith (April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979), known professionally as Mary Pickford, was a Canadian-American stage and screen actress and producer with a career that spanned five decades. A pioneer in the US film industry, she co-founde ...

who convinced his mother to take him to Hollywood for a screen test in 1935. Renamed Jackie Moran, he was subsequently cast in a number of substantial supporting roles. He became well-known with the 1938 release of David O. Selznick's production ''

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' is an 1876 novel by Mark Twain about a boy growing up along the Mississippi River. It is set in the 1840s in the town of St. Petersburg, which is based on Hannibal, Missouri, where Twain lived as a boy. In the nov ...

''. The 93-minute big-budget

Technicolor Technicolor is a series of Color motion picture film, color motion picture processes, the first version dating back to 1916, and followed by improved versions over several decades. Definitive Technicolor movies using three black and white films ...

film presented Moran as

Huckleberry Finn Huckleberry "Huck" Finn is a fictional character created by Mark Twain who first appeared in the book ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (1876) and is the protagonist and narrator of its sequel, ''Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' (1884). He is 12 ...

Tommy Kelly Tommy Terrell Kelly (born December 27, 1980) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Mississippi State and was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent i ...

Tom Sawyer Thomas Sawyer () is the titular character of the Mark Twain novel ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (1876). He appears in three other novels by Twain: ''Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' (1884), ''Tom Sawyer Abroad'' (1894), and ''Tom Sawyer, Dete ...

. Jackie Moran received critical praise for his natural acting style. Jackie Moran went on to star in several youth-oriented films for low-budget and poverty-row studios, such as

Republic A republic () is a "state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th c ...

and

Monogram A monogram is a motif made by overlapping or combining two or more letters or other graphemes to form one symbol. Monograms are often made by combining the initials of an individual or a company, used as recognizable symbols or logos. A series o ...

. His most frequent co-star was the one-year-younger

Marcia Mae Jones Marcia Mae Jones (August 1, 1924 – September 2, 2007) was an American film and television actress whose prolific career spanned 57 years. Early years Jones was the youngest of four children born to actress Freda Jones. All three of her ...

, who appeared with him in eleven films, also including ''Tom Sawyer'', where Jones had the relatively minor part of Tom Sawyer's cousin Mary. They also played supporting roles in the

Deanna Durbin Edna Mae Durbin (December 4, 1921 – April 17, 2013), known professionally as Deanna Durbin, was a Canadian-born actress and singer, who moved to the USA with her family in infancy. She appeared in musical films in the 1930s and 1940s. With t ...

vehicle ''

Mad About Music ''Mad About Music'' is a 1938 American musical film directed by Norman Taurog and starring Deanna Durbin, Herbert Marshall, and Gail Patrick. Based on a story by Marcella Burke and Frederick Kohner, the film is about a girl at an exclusive boardin ...

''. They subsequently played in four Monogram tributes to life in idealized pre-

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 ...

rural America, 1938's '' Barefoot Boy'' and, in 1940, ''Tomboy'', ''

Haunted House A haunted house, spook house or ghost house in ghostlore is a house or other building often perceived as being inhabited by disembodied spirits of the deceased who may have been former residents or were otherwise connected with the prope ...

'' and '' The Old Swimmin' Hole''. The trio of 1940 films were directed by

Robert F. McGowan Robert Francis McGowan (July 11, 1882 – January 27, 1955) was an American film director and producer, best known as the senior director of the ''Our Gang'' short subjects film series from 1922 until 1933. Career Before moving to Los Angeles, ...

, the former director of ''

Our Gang ''Our Gang'' (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' or ''Hal Roach's Rascals'') is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. Created by film producer Hal Roach, also the ...

'' in his final directorial assignment. Most of Jackie and Marcia Mae's remaining five films cast them in major supporting roles. Their final entry, after a two-year break, was the 1943 Republic musical ''

Nobody's Darling ''Nobody's Darling'' is a 1943 American musical film directed by Anthony Mann and written by Olive Cooper. The film stars Mary Lee, Louis Calhern, Gladys George, Jackie Moran, Lee Patrick and Benny Bartlett. The film was released on August 2 ...

'', one of the first films helmed by

Anthony Mann Anthony Mann (born Emil Anton Bundsmann; June 30, 1906 – April 29, 1967) was an American film director and stage actor. Mann initially started as a theatre actor appearing in numerous stage productions. In 1937, he moved to Hollywood where ...

. Moran appeared in a cameo in ''

Gone with the Wind Gone with the Wind most often refers to: * ''Gone with the Wind'' (novel), a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell * ''Gone with the Wind'' (film), the 1939 adaptation of the novel Gone with the Wind may also refer to: Music * ''Gone with the Wind'' ...

'' (1939) where he played the son of Dr. Meade, furious about his brother's death as a soldier, and wanting to join the Confederate Army himself so he can "kill all those Yankees." Jackie also had a co-starring role with

Buster Crabbe Clarence Linden Crabbe II (; February 7, 1908 – April 23, 1983), known professionally as Buster Crabbe, was an American two-time Olympic swimmer and film and television actor. He won the 1932 Olympic gold medal for 400-meter freestyle swimmi ...

Universal Universal is the adjective for universe. Universal may also refer to: Companies * NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company ** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of NBCUniversal ** Universal TV, a ...

's well-known 12-chapter serial ''

Buck Rogers Buck Rogers is a science fiction adventure hero and feature comic strip created by Philip Francis Nowlan first appearing in daily US newspapers on January 7, 1929, and subsequently appearing in Sunday newspapers, international newspapers, books ...

'' in which he was third-billed as Buck's young friend, Buddy Wade. Jackie's next 1939 release was the Hardy Family-like ''

Everybody's Hobby ''Everybody's Hobby'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by William C. McGann and written by Kenneth Gamet and William W. Brockway. The film stars Irene Rich, Henry O'Neill, Jackie Moran, Aldrich Bowker, Jean Sharon, John Ridgely and Peg ...

'', while the last, ''Spirit of Culver'', a remake of 1932's military-school film ''

Tom Brown of Culver ''Tom Brown of Culver'' is a 1932 American pre-Code film directed by William Wyler.Film details
culver.lib.in.us; accesse ...

'', teamed him with two former top child stars Jackie Cooper and

Freddie Bartholomew Frederick Cecil Bartholomew (March 28, 1924 – January 23, 1992), known for his acting work as Freddie Bartholomew, was an English-American child actor. One of the most famous child actors of all time, he became very popular in 1930s Hollywoo ...

. Jackie Moran did not serve in the military during the war and continued to act in movies, including one final appearance in a top quality film, Selznick's ''

Since You Went Away ''Since You Went Away'' is a 1944 American epic drama film directed by John Cromwell for Selznick International Pictures and distributed by United Artists. It is an epic about the American home front during World War II that was adapted and pr ...

'' (1944) where he played a grocer's son who exchanges bashful glances with

Shirley Temple Shirley Temple Black (born Shirley Jane Temple;While Temple occasionally used "Jane" as a middle name, her birth certificate reads "Shirley Temple". Her birth certificate was altered to prolong her babyhood shortly after she signed with Fox in ...

. The movie was one of five Oscar nominees for

Best Picture This is a list of categories of awards commonly awarded through organizations that bestow film awards, including those presented by various film, festivals, and people's awards. Best Actor/Best Actress *See Best Actor#Film awards, Best Actress#F ...

(it eventually lost to ''

Going My Way ''Going My Way'' is a 1944 American musical comedy drama film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald. Written by Frank Butler and Frank Cavett based on a story by McCarey, the film is about a new young priest ta ...

''). Moran ended his screen career in 1945-1946 with a collection of teenage musical comedies at Columbia and Monogram. He was the title character in Monogram's comedy-mystery ''There Goes Kelly'', and co-starred with exuberant young actress

June Preisser June Preisser (June 26, 1918 – September 19, 1984) was an American actress, popular in musical films during the late 1930s and through the 1940s, many of which capitalized on her skills as an acrobat. Life and career Born June 26, 1918 in ...

in Columbia's '' Let's Go Steady'' and Monogram's ''

Junior Prom ''Junior Prom'' is a 1946 American musical comedy, directed by Arthur Dreifuss and produced by Sam Katzman and Maurice Duke. It was released by Monogram Pictures. It is the first of The Teen Agers series of movies. In 2018, the film was release ...

'', ''

Freddie Steps Out ''Freddie Steps Out'' is a 1946 American film starring Freddie Stewart. It is the second in The Teen Agers series. Plot Freddie Trimball is a high school student. He happens to bear an amazing resemblance to Frankie Troy, one of the most popula ...

'' and '' High School Hero''. The last three were part of a series which, in addition to Jackie Moran and June Preisser, starred Freddie Stewart, Warren Mills,

Frankie Darro Frankie Darro (born Frank Johnson, Jr.; December 22, 1917 – December 25, 1976) was an American actor and later in his career a stuntman. He began his career as a child actor in silent films, progressed to lead roles and co-starring roles ...

and

Noel Neill Noel Darleen Neill (November 25, 1920 – July 3, 2016) was an American actress. She played Lois Lane in the film serials ''Superman'' (1948) and '' Atom Man vs. Superman'' (1950), as well as the 1950s television series '' Adventures of Superman ...

Later life

Jackie Moran's final movie role was in Columbia's 1946 college drama ''

Betty Co-Ed ''Betty Co-Ed'' is a 1946 American musical comedy film starring Jean Porter, directed by Arthur Dreifuss and produced by Sam Katzman. Plot Vaudeville is in Joanne Leeds's blood, but when she applies for admission at prestigious Upton College, sh ...

''. Accounts differ as to his occupations in the remaining forty-four years of his life. His obituaries stated that he became a screenwriter for

B movie A B movie or B film is a low-budget commercial motion picture. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified films intended for distribution as the less-publicized bottom half of a double feature ...

s in the 1950s, but no specific titles were indicated. It was also written that he wrote songs. In the 1960s, a screenwriter using Jackie's real name, John E. Moran, worked extensively with

Russ Meyer Russell Albion Meyer (March 21, 1922 – September 18, 2004) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, and editor. He is known primarily for writing and directing a series of successful sexploitation films that fea ...

, notably on the films ''

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! ''Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!'' is a 1965 American exploitation film directed by Russ Meyer and co-written by Meyer and Jack Moran. It follows three go-go dancers who embark on a spree of kidnapping and murder in the California desert. The fi ...

'', '' Good Morning and... Goodbye!'', ''

Common Law Cabin ''Common Law Cabin'' (original title ''How Much Loving Does a Normal Couple Need?'') is a 1967 exploitation film directed by Russ Meyer. The movie features Alaina Capri and Meyer regulars Babette Bardot and Jack Moran. Plot Dewey Hoople (Jack ...

'', and ''Wild Gals of the Naked West'', also playing small roles in the latter two films. The credits of the two are occasionally combined, but there is no confirmation that they are the same person. The obituaries also stated that in his later years, Jackie Moran worked in

public relations Public relations (PR) is the practice of managing and disseminating information from an individual or an organization (such as a business, government agency, or a nonprofit organization) to the public in order to influence their perception. P ...

for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chicago. Moran moved to

Greenfield, Massachusetts Greenfield is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. Greenfield was first settled in 1686. The population was 17,768 at the 2020 census. Greenfield is home to Greenfield Community College, the Pioneer Val ...

in 1984 and wrote a novel, ''Six Step House''. Six years after his arrival, he died of

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma (since about 98–99% of all lung cancers are carcinomas), is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissue (biology), tissues of the lung. Lung carcinomas derive from tran ...

in the town's Franklin Medical Center at the age of 67. As requested in his will, Jackie Moran's ashes were scattered on the backstretch of the

Del Mar Racetrack The Del Mar Fairgrounds is a event venue in Del Mar, California. The annual San Diego County Fair is held here, which was called the Del Mar Fair from 1984 to 2001. In 1936, the Del Mar Racetrack was built by the Thoroughbred Club with foundin ...

, a

thoroughbred horse racing Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat racing and jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in t ...

facility in

Del Mar, California Del Mar (; Spanish for "Of the Sea") is a beach town in San Diego County, California, located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Established in 1885 as a seaside resort, the city incorporated in 1959. The Del Mar Horse Races are hosted on the De ...

Filmography

* ''

And So They Were Married or AND may refer to: Logic, grammar, and computing * Conjunction (grammar), connecting two words, phrases, or clauses * Logical conjunction in mathematical logic, notated as "∧", "⋅", "&", or simple juxtaposition * Bitwise AND, a boole ...

'' (1936) - Tommy Blake * ''Counterfeit'' (1936) - Duckfoot (uncredited) * ''

Valiant Is the Word for Carrie ''Valiant Is the Word for Carrie'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by Wesley Ruggles and written by Claude Binyon, based on the 1935 novel of the same name by Barry Benefield. The film stars Gladys George, Arline Judge, John Howard, Dudley ...

'' (1936) - Paul Darnley (as a Child) * '' Outcast'' (1937) - Freddie Simmerson * '' Michael O'Halloran'' (1937) - Michael O'Halloran * ''

'' (1938) - Huckleberry Finn * ''

'' (1938) - Tommy * ''

Arson Gang Busters ''Arson Gang Busters'' is a 1938 American action film directed by Joseph Kane and written by Alex Gottlieb, Norman Burnstine and Joseph Hoffman. The film stars Robert Livingston, Rosalind Keith, Jackie Moran, Warren Hymer, Jack La Rue and Cla ...

'' (1938) - Jimmy Riler * '' Mother Carey's Chickens'' (1938) - Gilbert Carey * '' Barefoot Boy'' (1938) - Billy Whittaker * '' The Spirit of Culver'' (1939) - Perkins * ''

'' (1939) - George 'Buddy' Wade * ''

'' (1939) - Robert Leslie * ''

Meet Dr. Christian ''Meet Dr. Christian'' is a 1939 American film directed by Bernard Vorhaus, the first of six films in the ''Dr. Christian'' series. Cast *Jean Hersholt as Dr. Paul Christian *Dorothy Lovett as Nurse Judy Price *Robert Baldwin (actor), Robert Ba ...

'' (1939) - Don Hewitt * ''

'' (1939) - Phil Meade * ''

Tomboy A tomboy is a term for a girl or a young woman with masculine qualities. It can include wearing androgynous or unfeminine clothing and actively engage in physical sports or other activities and behaviors usually associated with boys or men. W ...

'' (1940) - Steve * ''

Anne of Windy Poplars Anne, alternatively spelled Ann, is a form of the Latin female given name Anna. This in turn is a representation of the Hebrew Hannah, which means 'favour' or 'grace'. Related names include Annie. Anne is sometimes used as a male name in the ...

'' (1940) - Boy * ''

'' (1940) - Jimmie Atkins * '' The Old Swimmin' Hole'' (1940) - Chris Carter * '' The Gang's All Here'' (1941) - Chick Daly * ''

Let's Go Collegiate ''Let's Go Collegiate'' is a 1941 American musical comedy film directed by Jean Yarbrough and produced by Monogram Pictures. It was released as ''Farewell to Fame'' in the United Kingdom. Plot summary Frankie (Frankie Darro) is the coxswain o ...

'' (1941) - Tad * ''

'' (1943) - Charles Grant Jr. * ''

Henry Aldrich Haunts a House ''Henry Aldrich Haunts a House'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Muriel Roy Bolton and Val Burton. The film stars Jimmy Lydon, Charles Smith, John Litel, Olive Blakeney, Joan Mortimer and Vaughan Glaser. Th ...

'' (1943) - Whit Bidecker * '' Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble'' (1944) - Spud (uncredited) * ''

'' (1944) - Johnny Mahoney * ''

Song of the Open Road ''Song of the Open Road'' is a 1944 Musical film, musical comedy film directed by S. Sylvan Simon, from a screenplay by Irving Phillips and Edward Verdier. It was the debut film of teenage singer Jane Powell. Powell's real name was Suzanne Burce ...

'' (1944) - Jack Moran * '' Janie'' (1944) - Mickey - a Sailor * '' Three Little Sisters'' (1944) - Chad Jones * '' Let's Go Steady'' (1945) - Roy Spencer * ''

There Goes Kelly ''There Goes Kelly'' is a 1945 American comedy mystery film directed by Phil Karlson and starring Jackie Moran, Wanda McKay and Sidney Miller. It was produced and distributed by Monogram Pictures. It is a remake of the 1940 film '' Up in the Ai ...

'' (1945) - Jimmy Kelly * '' Hop Harrigan America's Ace of the Airways'' (1946) - Fraser * ''

'' (1946) - Jimmy Forrest * ''

'' (1946) - Jimmy Forrest * '' High School Hero'' (1946) - Jimmy Forrest * ''

'' (1946) - Ted Harris * ''

Wild Gals of the Naked West ''Wild Gals of the Naked West'' is a 1962 nudie-cutie Western film written and directed by Russ Meyer and starring Sammy Gilbert, Anthony-James Ryan, Jackie Moran, Terri Taylor, Frank Bolger, and Werner Kirsch. The film is one of the few porn ...

'' (1962) * ''Dingle, Dangle'' (1966) * ''

'' (1967) - Dewey Hoople * ''Code Name: Raw-Hide'' (1972) - The Chief (final film role)

References

External links

*
Jackie Moran obituary in ''The New York Times''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moran, Jackie 1923 births 1990 deaths American male child actors American male screenwriters Male actors from Illinois Deaths from lung cancer in Massachusetts People from Greenfield, Massachusetts People from Mattoon, Illinois 20th-century American male actors Screenwriters from Illinois Screenwriters from Massachusetts 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American screenwriters