Robert Allen (born Irvine E. Theodore Baehr, March 28, 1906 – October 9, 1998), was an American actor in both feature films and B-movie westerns between 1935 and 1944.

Biography

Allen was born in

Mount Vernon, New York Mount Vernon is a city in Westchester County, New York, Westchester County, New York (state), New York, United States. It is an inner suburb of New York City, immediately to the north of the Borough (New York City), borough of the Bronx. As of t ...

and graduated from the

New York Military Academy New York Military Academy (NYMA) is a college preparatory, co-ed boarding school in the rural town of Cornwall, north of New York City, and one of the oldest military schools in the United States. Originally a boys' school, it started admitting ...

in 1924, where he rode in the academy cavalry. He graduated from

Dartmouth College Dartmouth College (; ) is a private research university in Hanover, New Hampshire. Established in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock, it is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Although founded to educate Native A ...

in 1929 with a degree in English. In vacations he had driven a truck as a labourer. He worked for a bank which soon failed in the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

. He flew briefly with the Curtis Flying service as a commercial pilot. He first came to the screen in 1926 before signing a standard acting contract with Paramount Pictures, in 1929. He appeared in the Marx Brothers movie ''Animal Crackers'' and several other small parts. Then, he signed with

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 ...

in 1935. He also later contracted with

20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...

. Allen's first notable role was the male lead in ''

Love Me Forever Love Me Forever may refer to: * ''Love Me Forever'' (film), a 1935 American drama film * "Love Me Forever" (song), a 1957 song by the Four Esquires * '' Love Me Forever (Motörhead)'', a 1991 song by the British band Motörhead on their album 1916 ...

'' (1935), for which he won a ''Box Office Award''. After the departure of cowboy star Ken Maynard, Allen was plugged into producer

Larry Darmour Lawrence J. Darmour (1895–1942) was an American film producer, operator of Larry Darmour Productions from 1927, and a significant figure in Hollywood's Poverty Row. Career Darmour was born in Flushing, Queens. In September 1927 he released t ...

's formulaic ''Ranger'' pictures. Along with sidekick Wally Wales (played by

Hal Taliaferro Floyd Taliaferro Alderson (November 13, 1895 – February 10, 1980) was an American film actor who specialized in westerns. After serving in the Great War, he began his career in the era of silent films, when he frequently used the name Wally ...

), he redefined the role, starring in six films for director

Spencer Gordon Bennet Spencer Gordon Bennet (January 5, 1893 – October 8, 1987) was an American film producer and director. Known as the "King of Serial Directors", he directed more film serials than any other director. Biography Born in Brooklyn, New York, Benne ...

in that year alone. The star was billed as Bob Allen. However, the great success of

Wild Bill Elliott Wild Bill Elliott (born Gordon Nance, October 16, 1904 – November 26, 1965) was an American film actor. He specialized in playing the rugged heroes of B Westerns, particularly the Red Ryder series of films. Early life Elliott was born Gor ...

in Columbia's 1938 serial ''The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok'' prompted Columbia to drop Bob Allen and replace him with Elliott. Allen continued to work in pictures, as Robert Allen or Robert "Tex" Allen. He had acted on Broadway in the original productions of ''

Show Boat ''Show Boat'' is a musical with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on Edna Ferber's best-selling 1926 novel of the same name. The musical follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock worke ...

'' and '' Kiss Them for Me''. In 1956 he appeared in the original production of ''

Auntie Mame ''Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade'' is a 1955 novel by American author Patrick Dennis chronicling the madcap adventures of a boy, Patrick, growing up as the ward of his Aunt Mame Dennis, the sister of his dead father. The book is often desc ...

'', opposite

Rosalind Russell Catherine Rosalind Russell (June 4, 1907November 28, 1976) was an American actress, comedienne, screenwriter, and singer,Obituary ''Variety'', December 1, 1976, p. 79. known for her role as fast-talking newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson in the H ...

, and later

Greer Garson Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson (29 September 1904 – 6 April 1996) was an English-American actress and singer. She was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer who became popular during the Second World War for her portrayal of strong women on the hom ...

. He appeared in other Broadway plays, in touring productions, in soap operas, documentaries and commercials. He became a real estate broker in 1964 but returned to the stage from time to time, including an appearance as J.B. Biggley in the 1972

Equity Library Theatre The Equity Library Theatre (ELT) was a New York City theatre company active from 1943 until 1989. The original company Founded in 1943 by Sam Jaffe, representing Actors' Equity, and George Freedley, at the time curator of the New York Public Lib ...

revival of ''

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying ''How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'' may refer to: * ''How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'' (book), a 1952 book written by Shepherd Mead and the inspiration for the musical of the same name. * ''How to Succeed in Bu ...

''.

Family

Allen was married twice; the first was to movie actress Evelyn Peirce until her death in 1960. They had two children. Their son,

Ted Baehr Millard Robert E. Theodore Baehr (born 1946) is an American media critic and chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission, a division of Good News Communications, Inc. He is publisher and editor-in-chief of ''Movieguide'', a website ...

(born 1946) is a prominent

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

minister and movie critic. They also had a daughter, Katherine Meyer. Allen died on October 9, 1998, aged 92, of complications from cancer in Oyster Bay,

Long Island, New York Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United States and the 18th ...

. He was survived by his son and daughter, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Partial filmography

* ''

The Reckless Hour ''The Reckless Hour'' is a 1931 pre-Code film directed by John Francis Dillon and produced and distributed by First National Pictures. Cast *Dorothy Mackaill as Margaret Nichols *Conrad Nagel as Edward Adams * H. B. Warner as Walter Nichols *J ...

'' (1931) * ''

Saturday's Millions ''Saturday's Millions'' is a 1933 American pre-Code sports drama film directed by Edward Sedgwick and starring Robert Young, Andy Devine, Leila Hyams and Johnny Mack Brown. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film is an a ...

'' (1933) * '' Menace'' (1934) * ''Jealousy'' (1934) * ''The Black Room Mystery'' (1935) * ''

Law Beyond the Range ''Law Beyond the Range'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Ford Beebe and written by Lambert Hillyer. The film stars Tim McCoy, Billie Seward, Robert Allen, Guy Usher, Harry Todd and Walter Brennan. The film was released on Feb ...

'' (1935) * ''

Death Flies East ''Death Flies East'' is a 1935 American mystery film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Conrad Nagel, Florence Rice and Raymond Walburn. The action takes place on an airline flight with a murderer aboard. The film was an early example of the avi ...

'' (1935) * ''

Guard That Girl ''Guard That Girl'' is a 1935 American mystery film written and directed by Lambert Hillyer, which stars Robert Allen, Florence Rice, and Ward Bond. Cast list * Robert Allen as Larry Donovan * Florence Rice as Helen Bradford * Ward Bond as Bud ...

'' (1935) * '' I'll Love You Always'' (1935) * ''

Fighting Shadows ''Fighting Shadows'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by David Selman from a screenplay by Ford Beebe, which stars Tim McCoy, Robert Allen, Geneva Mitchell, and Ward Bond. Cast List * Tim McCoy as Tim O'Hara * Robert Allen as Bob ...

'' (1935) * ''

Air Hawks ''Air Hawks'' is a 1935 American aviation-themed science fiction film based on Ben Pivar's "Air Fury", an unpublished story. Director Albert Rogell who had moved from shorts to B-films, was interested in aviation and had already helmed ''The Fl ...

'' (1935) * ''

The Revenge Rider ''The Revenge Rider'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by David Selman, which stars Tim McCoy, Robert Allen, and Billie Seward. Cast list * Tim McCoy as Tim O'Neil * Robert Allen as Chad Harmon * Billie Seward as Myra Harmon * ...

'' (1935) * ''

Crime and Punishment ''Crime and Punishment'' ( pre-reform Russian: ; post-reform rus, Преступление и наказание, Prestupléniye i nakazániye, prʲɪstʊˈplʲenʲɪje ɪ nəkɐˈzanʲɪje) is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. ...

'' (1935) * '' White Lies'' (1935) * ''

Party Wire A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature ...

'' (1935) * ''

'' (1935) * '' I'm a Father'' (1935) * '' The Life of Lafayette'' (1936) * ''

Lady of Secrets ''Lady of Secrets'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by Marion Gering and starring Ruth Chatterton, Otto Kruger and Lionel Atwill.Monaco p.111 Plot Celia Whittaker, a reclusive socialite who has long eschewed romantic opportunities, learns ...

'' (1936) * ''

Craig's Wife ''Craig's Wife'' is a 1925 play written by American playwright George Kelly. It won the 1926 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and has been adapted for three feature films. Production ''Craig's Wife'' premiered on Broadway at the Morosco Theatre on ...

'' (1936) * ''

The Unknown Ranger ''The Unknown Ranger'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Bob Allen, Martha Tibbetts, and Walter Miller. It was released on October 30, 1936. Cast list * Bob Allen as himself * Martha Tibbetts as ...

'' (1936) * ''

Pride of the Marines ''Pride of the Marines'' is a 1945 American biographical war film starring John Garfield and Eleanor Parker. It tells the story of U.S. Marine Al Schmid in World War II, his heroic stand against a Japanese attack during the Battle of Guadalc ...

'' (1936) * ''

The Awful Truth ''The Awful Truth'' is a 1937 American screwball comedy film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. Based on the 1923 play ''The Awful Truth'' by Arthur Richman, the film recounts how a distrustful rich couple begins d ...

'' (1937) * ''

Law of the Ranger ''Law of the Ranger'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and written by Nate Gatzert. The film stars Robert Allen, Elaine Shepard, John Merton, Wally Wales, Lafe McKee and Tom London. The film was released on May ...

'' (1937) * '' Let's Get Married'' (1937) * ''

The Big Broadcast of 1938 ''The Big Broadcast of 1938'' is a Paramount Pictures musical comedy film starring W. C. Fields and featuring Bob Hope. Directed by Mitchell Leisen, the film is the last in a series of ''Big Broadcast'' movies that were variety show anthologies. ...

'' (1937) * '' Reckless Ranger'' (1937) * '' The Rangers Step In'' (1937) * ''

Rio Grande Ranger ''Rio Grande Ranger'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Robert Allen, Iris Meredith and Paul Sutton.Pitts, Michael R. ''Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films''. McFarland, 2012. p. 285. Par ...

'' (1937) * ''

Ranger Courage ''Ranger Courage'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet, the film stars Robert Allen, Martha Tibbetts, and Walter Miller. Cast list * Robert Allen as himself * Martha Tibbetts as Alice * Walter Miller as Bull * ...

'' (1937) *''

Penitentiary A prison, also known as a jail, gaol (dated, standard English, Australian, and historically in Canada), penitentiary (American English and Canadian English), detention center (or detention centre outside the US), correction center, correcti ...

'' (1938) * '' Keep Smiling'' (1938) * ''

Everybody's Baby ''Everybody's Baby'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair and starring Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane and Spring Byington. It was part of Twentieth Century Fox's Jones Family series of films.Drew p.180 The film's art direction ...

'' (1938) * ''

Up the River ''Up the River'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film directed by John Ford, and starring Claire Luce, Spencer Tracy and Humphrey Bogart. The plot concerns escaped convicts, as well as a female convict. It was the feature film debut role of ...

'' (1938) * '' Meet the Girls'' (1938) * ''

Fighting Thoroughbreds ''Fighting Thoroughbreds'' is a 1939 American drama film directed by Sidney Salkow and written by Wellyn Totman. The film stars Ralph Byrd, Mary Carlisle, Robert Allen, George "Gabby" Hayes, Marvin Stephens and Charles C. Wilson. The film was re ...

'' (1939) * ''

Winter Carnival Winter is the coldest season of the year in polar and temperate climates. It occurs after autumn and before spring. The tilt of Earth's axis causes seasons; winter occurs when a hemisphere is oriented away from the Sun. Different cultures d ...

'' (1939) * '' Winner Take All'' (1939) * ''

City of Chance ''City of Chance'' is a 1940 American crime drama film directed by Ricardo Cortez and written by John Larkin and Barry Trivers. The film stars Lynn Bari, C. Aubrey Smith, Donald Woods and Amanda Duff. The film was released on January 13, 1940, b ...

'' (1940) * '' Blazing Guns'' (1943) * ''

Death Valley Rangers ''Death Valley Rangers'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Robert Emmett Tansey and starring Ken Maynard, Hoot Gibson, and Bob Steele.Martin p.169 Cast * Ken Maynard as Ken Maynard * Hoot Gibson as Hoot Gibson * Bob Steele as Bo ...

'' (1944) * ''

She Gets Her Man She Gets Her Man may refer to: * She Gets Her Man (1935 film), an American comedy film * She Gets Her Man (1945 film) ''She Gets Her Man'' is a 1945 American comedy film directed by Erle C. Kenton and written by Warren Wilson, Clyde Bruckman, Ra ...

'' (1945) * ''

The Web The World Wide Web (WWW), commonly known as the Web, is an information system enabling documents and other web resources to be accessed over the Internet. Documents and downloadable media are made available to the network through web se ...

'' (1947) * '' Terror in the City'' (1964) * ''

Naked Evil ''Naked Evil'' is a black-and-white independent 1966 British horror film, written and directed by Stanley Goulder and starring Basil Dignam, Basil Dingnam, Anthony Ainley, Richard Coleman and John Ashley Hamilton. It was produced by Michael F. ...

'' (1966) * ''

Hells Angels on Wheels ''Hells Angels on Wheels'' is a 1967 American biker film directed by Richard Rush, and starring Adam Roarke, Jack Nicholson, and Sabrina Scharf. The film tells the story of a gas-station attendant with a bad attitude who finds life more exciting ...

'' (1967) * '' Dirtymouth'' (1970) * '' Raiders of the Living Dead'' (1986)

References

External links

* * *
Bob Allen Biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Allen, Robert 1906 births 1998 deaths Aviators from New York (state) American male film actors American male soap opera actors American male stage actors Dartmouth College alumni New York Military Academy alumni Actors from Mount Vernon, New York Male actors from New York (state) Deaths from cancer in New York (state) People from Oyster Bay (town), New York Columbia Pictures contract players 20th Century Studios contract players 20th-century American male actors Commercial aviators