James Craven (born October 2, 1892 – June 29, 1955) was an American actor. He played a wide variety of roles and has a minimum of 98 film and television credits including the TV show ''
The Adventures of Kit Carson
''The Adventures of Kit Carson'' is an American Western that aired from 1951 to 1955. The show ran for four seasons and consisted of 104 episodes over four years. The original air date was Saturday, August 11, 1951. It concluded on January 22, 19 ...
'', as well as the classic motion picture, ''
Johnny Belinda'', and the popular movie serials, ''
The Green Archer'', ''
Captain Midnight
''Captain Midnight'' (later rebranded on television as ''Jet Jackson, Flying Commando'') is a United States, U.S. adventure franchise first broadcast as a radio serial from 1938 to 1949. The character's popularity throughout the 1940s and into ...
'' and ''
King of the Rocket Men
''King of the Rocket Men'' is a 1949 12-chapter black-and-white movie serial from Republic Pictures, produced by Franklin Adreon, directed Fred C. Brannon, that stars Tristram Coffin, Mae Clarke, Don Haggerty, House Peters, Jr., James Craven ...
''.
In his book, ''Serials-ly Speaking: Essays on Cliffhangers'' author William C. Cline described Craven's screen presence and characterisations in this fashion: "Suave, sophisticated and crafty, James Craven worked both sides of the street in cliffhangers. As a distinguished-looking man -- supposedly a gentleman -- he gained the confidence of the good guys while working against them at every turn... Starting with ''
The Green Archer'' for Columbia Pictures in 1940, Craven schemed his way through seven serials including ''
White Eagle'' (1941), ''
Captain Midnight
''Captain Midnight'' (later rebranded on television as ''Jet Jackson, Flying Commando'') is a United States, U.S. adventure franchise first broadcast as a radio serial from 1938 to 1949. The character's popularity throughout the 1940s and into ...
'' (1942) at Columbia, ''
The Purple Monster Strikes
''The Purple Monster Strikes'' is a 1945 Republic Pictures, Republic Movie serial. It was also released as a Century 66 television film under the title ''D-Day on Mars'' (1966).
The original production title for the serial was ''The Purple Shad ...
'' (1945), ''
Federal Agents vs. Underworld Inc.'' (1948), ''
King of the Rocket Men
''King of the Rocket Men'' is a 1949 12-chapter black-and-white movie serial from Republic Pictures, produced by Franklin Adreon, directed Fred C. Brannon, that stars Tristram Coffin, Mae Clarke, Don Haggerty, House Peters, Jr., James Craven ...
'' (1949), and ''
Flying Disc Man from Mars
''Flying Disc Man from Mars'' is a 1950 Republic Pictures 12-chapter black-and-white science fiction adventure film serial, produced by Franklin Adreon, directed by Fred C. Brannon, that stars Walter Reed, Lois Collier, Gregory Gaye, James Crav ...
'' (1950) at
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 ...
Pictures."
Partial filmography
*''
The Green Archer'' (1940, serial)
*''
Tumbledown Ranch in Arizona
''Tumbledown Ranch in Arizona'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby and written by Milton Raison. The film is the sixth in Monogram Pictures' " Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Crash, John "Dus ...
'' (1941)
*''
Little Joe, the Wrangler'' (1941)
*''
White Eagle'' (1941, serial)
*''
A Yank in the R.A.F.'' (1941)
*''
Captain Midnight
''Captain Midnight'' (later rebranded on television as ''Jet Jackson, Flying Commando'') is a United States, U.S. adventure franchise first broadcast as a radio serial from 1938 to 1949. The character's popularity throughout the 1940s and into ...
'' (1942, serial)
*''
Today I Hang
Today (archaically to-day) may refer to:
* Day of the present, the time that is perceived directly, often called ''now''
* Current era, present
* The current calendar date
Arts, entertainment, and media Films
* ''Today'' (1930 film), a 1930 ...
'' (1942)
*''
Immortal Sergeant
''Immortal Sergeant'' is a 1943 American war film directed by John M. Stahl for 20th Century Fox. Set in the North African desert during World War II, it stars Henry Fonda as a corporal lacking in confidence in both love and war, Maureen O'Hara ...
'' (1943)
*''
The Purple Monster Strikes
''The Purple Monster Strikes'' is a 1945 Republic Pictures, Republic Movie serial. It was also released as a Century 66 television film under the title ''D-Day on Mars'' (1966).
The original production title for the serial was ''The Purple Shad ...
'' (1945, serial)
*''
Days of Buffalo Bill'' (1946)
*''
Murder in the Music Hall'' (1946)
*''
Sheriff of Redwood Valley'' (1946)
*''
Desperadoes of Dodge City
''Desperadoes of Dodge City'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by Philip Ford and written by Robert Creighton Williams. The film stars Allan Lane, Eddy Waller, Mildred Coles, Roy Barcroft, Tristram Coffin and William Phipps. The fil ...
'' (1948)
*''
Million Dollar Weekend
''Million Dollar Weekend'' is a 1948 American film noir directed by, and starring, Gene Raymond, based on his original story.
Plot
Stockbroker Nicholas Lawrence (Gene Raymond) has grown tired of his tedious life in Los Angeles and decides on ...
'' (1948)
*''
Johnny Belinda'' (1948)
*''
Federal Agents vs. Underworld Inc.'' (1948, serial)
*''
King of the Rocket Men
''King of the Rocket Men'' is a 1949 12-chapter black-and-white movie serial from Republic Pictures, produced by Franklin Adreon, directed Fred C. Brannon, that stars Tristram Coffin, Mae Clarke, Don Haggerty, House Peters, Jr., James Craven ...
'' (1949, serial)
*''
Flying Disc Man from Mars
''Flying Disc Man from Mars'' is a 1950 Republic Pictures 12-chapter black-and-white science fiction adventure film serial, produced by Franklin Adreon, directed by Fred C. Brannon, that stars Walter Reed, Lois Collier, Gregory Gaye, James Crav ...
'' (1950, serial)
*''
Trial Without Jury
''Trial Without Jury'' is a 1950 American mystery film directed by Philip Ford and starring Robert Rockwell, Barbra Fuller and Kent Taylor.Pierce p.352
The film's sets were designed by the art director Frank Hotaling
Frank Hotaling (April ...
'' (1950)
*''
Wells Fargo Gunmaster
''Wells Fargo Gunmaster'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Philip Ford and starring Allan Lane, Mary Ellen Kay and Chubby Johnson.Pitts p.388
Plot
Cast
Production
The film's sets were designed by the art director
Art director ...
'' (1951)
*''
The Adventures of Kit Carson
''The Adventures of Kit Carson'' is an American Western that aired from 1951 to 1955. The show ran for four seasons and consisted of 104 episodes over four years. The original air date was Saturday, August 11, 1951. It concluded on January 22, 19 ...
'' (1951, TV series)
*''
Against All Flags
''Against All Flags'' is a 1952 American pirate film directed by George Sherman and Douglas Sirk and starring Errol Flynn as Brian Hawke, Maureen O'Hara as Prudence "Spitfire" Stevens and Anthony Quinn as Roc Brasiliano. The film's plot is set in ...
'' (1952)
* ''
Adventures of Superman'' (1953, TV series, 1 episode)
*''
Blades of the Musketeers
''Blades of the Musketeers'' is a 1953 American film adaptation of the 1844 novel ''The Three Musketeers'' for Hal Roach Studios.
It was originally shot as an episode of the 1950 TV series '' Magnavox Theater''.
It was also known as Sword of D'a ...
'' (1953)
*''
East of Sumatra
''East of Sumatra'' is a 1953 American south seas adventure film directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Jeff Chandler, Marilyn Maxwell, Anthony Quinn and Suzan Ball.
Plot
Duke Mullane (Jeff Chandler), manager of a Malayan tin mine, goes to a ...
'' (1953)
Further reading
*
References
External links
*
1892 births
1955 deaths
Male actors from Pennsylvania
20th-century American male actors
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