Whip Wilson (born Roland Charles Meyers, June 16, 1911 – October 22, 1964) was an American

cowboy A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the '' vaqu ...

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmospher ...

star of the late 1940s and into the 1950s, known for his roles in B-westerns. He was one of eight children. Wilson had been a moderately successful singer before coming to Hollywood. Following

Buck Jones Buck Jones (born Charles Frederick Gebhart; December 12, 1891 – November 30, 1942) was an American actor, known for his work in many popular Western movies. In his early film appearances, he was credited as Charles Jones. Early life, milita ...

's death in the famous Cocoanut Grove fire of 1942, which claimed the lives of 492 people,

Monogram Pictures Monogram Pictures Corporation was an American film studio that produced mostly low-budget films between 1931 and 1953, when the firm completed a transition to the name Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Monogram was among the smaller studios i ...

had been searching for someone to replace him. Producer

Scott R. Dunlap Scott R. Dunlap (June 20, 1892 – March 30, 1970) was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, and actor. Dunlap was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1892 and entered the film business in 1915. He produced 70 films between 1937 and ...

saw Meyers, and thought he looked similar to Jones. This, apparently, was enough to build him into a cowboy star. Because of the fame being generated by Lash LaRue, who used a

bullwhip A bullwhip is a single-tailed whip, usually made of braided leather or nylon, designed as a tool for working with livestock or competition. Bullwhips are pastoral tools, traditionally used to control livestock in open country. A bullwhip's leng ...

in his films, Monogram decided to make Meyers a similar whip-wielding character, renaming him ''Whip Wilson''.

Movie career

Wilson was a good-looking man. When he first moved to Hollywood to pursue an acting career, producers built him up with a lot of press, but it would not be enough to take him to the height of major stardom. He did star in 22 B-westerns, more than Lash LaRue, Sunset Carson,

Monte Hale Monte Hale (born Samuel Buren Ely June 8, 1919 – March 29, 2009) was an American B-Western film star and country musician. Biography Sometimes reported to have been born in San Angelo, Texas, Hale was actually born in Ada, Oklahoma but gre ...

Rex Allen Rex Elvie Allen (December 31, 1920 – December 17, 1999), known as "the Arizona Cowboy", was an American film and television actor, singer and songwriter; he was also the narrator of many Disney nature and Western productions. For his contribut ...

, or Eddie Dean.

introduced Wilson to the public this way: "He was born on a fabulous ranch in Pecos, Texas, was a

rodeo Rodeo () is a competitive equestrian sport that arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain and Mexico, expanding throughout the Americas and to other nations. It was originally based on the skills required of the working vaq ...

champion, has an engineering degree, is a direct descendant of

General Custer George Armstrong Custer (December 5, 1839 – June 25, 1876) was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. Custer graduated from West Point in 1861 at the bottom of his class, ...

, and he was a

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 World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

Marine Marine is an adjective meaning of or pertaining to the sea or ocean. Marine or marines may refer to: Ocean * Maritime (disambiguation) * Marine art * Marine biology * Marine debris * Marine habitats * Marine life * Marine pollution Military ...

hero, and he does his own movie stunts." None of these claims was true. In fact, he had not even one shred of experience that could possibly resemble the fictional persona that Monogram created for him. He was one of the very few western film heroes of the day who was not a "cowboy" in real life. Most had at least some experience as genuine cowboys or cowgirls, and fit the part. Many had also actually served during World War II. His first film role was playing a sheriff (uncredited) in ''God's Country'' (1946), followed by a co-starring role alongside Monogram's singing cowboy

Jimmy Wakely Jimmy Wakely (February 16, 1914 – September 23, 1982) was an American actor, songwriter, country music vocalist, and one of the last singing cowboys. During the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, he released records, appeared in several B-Western movies ...

in the 1948 film ''Silver Trails'', both of which gave him experience in front of the camera. The next year Whip Wilson starred in his own series of films, the first being ''Crashin Thru'', followed by ''Haunted Trails'', ''Range Land'' and ''Riders of the Dusk''. He first was given a horse named "Silver Bullet", whose name was later shortened to "Bullet", then changed to "Rocket" due to

Roy Rogers Roy Rogers (born Leonard Franklin Slye; November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998) was an American singer, actor, and television host. Following early work under his given name, first as co-founder of the Sons of the Pioneers and then acting, the rebra ...

having a dog named "Bullet" in his films. Wilson may have come along too late to establish himself as a major star; studios were already phasing out low-budget westerns. Veteran comedian

Andy Clyde Andrew Allan Clyde (March 25, 1892 – May 18, 1967) was a Scottish-born American film and television actor whose career spanned more than four decades. In 1921 he broke into silent films as a Mack Sennett comic, debuting in ''On a Summer ...

(as "Winks" Grayson) was a valuable asset as co-star, but the series got little attention. After 12 films, Clyde left the cast, replaced by

Fuzzy Knight John Forrest "Fuzzy" Knight (May 9, 1901 – February 23, 1976) was an American film and television actor. He was also a singer, especially in his early career. He appeared in more than 180 films between 1928 and 1967, usually as a cowboy h ...

(playing his sidekick "Texas") and later by

Jim Bannon James Shorttel Bannon (April 9, 1911 – July 28, 1984) was an American actor and radio announcer known for his work on the ''I Love a Mystery'' and ''Red Ryder'' series during the 1940s and 1950s. Early life Born in 1911 in Kansas City, Misso ...

. In 1950 Wilson starred in ''Gunslingers'', ''Arizona Territory'', ''Cherokee Uprising'', ''Fence Riders'', and ''Outlaws of Texas''. In 1951 his character continued in ''Lawless Cowboys'', ''Stage to Blue River'', ''Canyon Raiders'', and ''Abilene Trail''. There was nothing novel or original about Wilson to distinguish himself from other cowboy stars. The name of his horse, the bullwhip gimmick, and the false past created by his publicity agents were all derivative. Wilson's career never really took off, and by 1952 his Hollywood career was all but over, with him starring in '' Night Raiders'' and his last film, ''Wyoming Roundup''. He appeared uncredited in a 1953 western ''

The Silver Whip ''The Silver Whip'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Harmon Jones and starring Dale Robertson, Rory Calhoun and Robert Wagner. Plot Cocky young drifter Jess Harker (Robert Wagner) wants to be a driver on the stagecoach's main line, j ...

'', then was hired to perform the whip scenes in the 1955

Burt Lancaster Burton Stephen Lancaster (November 2, 1913 – October 20, 1994) was an American actor and producer. Initially known for playing tough guys with a tender heart, he went on to achieve success with more complex and challenging roles over a 45-yea ...

film '' The Kentuckian''. It would be the last film he would work on. He later appeared as a guest on TV's ''You Asked for It'', giving a bullwhip demonstration.

Personal life

He married three times, and lived his last years with his third wife managing an apartment complex in Hollywood. On October 22, 1964, Wilson died of a heart attack at the age of 53.

Legacy

Wilson made little impact on the western film industry, although three issues of a Whip Wilson comic book series were published by Marvel Comics in 1950, curiously numbered #9, 10 and 11. Issue #11 was later reprinted in 1965 by I.W. Comics. Many of his co-stars, in later years, indicated they never really appreciated his films, but they did appreciate his kind demeanor and his character. Years after his death, his

widow A widow (female) or widower (male) is a person whose spouse has died. Terminology The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed ''widowhood''. An archaic term for a widow is "relict," literally "someone left over". This word can so ...

, Monica Wilson, stated; "He was handsome, intelligent, had a beautiful personality, a sense of humor, a good lover and a wonderful husband. Our love was proven love. We were asked many times in Hollywood how we stayed together. Our answer was true love will survive." Sixteen of his films are available on DVD today.

List of "Whip Wilson" feature films

* '' Crashing Thru'' (1949) co-starring Tristram Coffin, Kenne Duncan * ''

Haunted Trails ''Haunted Trails'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Lambert Hillyer and written by Adele Buffington. The film stars Whip Wilson, Andy Clyde, Reno Browne, Dennis Moore, I. Stanford Jolley and William Ruhl. The film was released on ...

'' (1949) co-starring Myron Healy * '' Riders of the Dusk'' (1949) co-starring Tristram Coffin, Myron Healy * '' Range Land'' (1949) co-starring Kermit Maynard, Kenne Duncan * ''

Shadows of the West ''Shadows of the West'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Ray Taylor and written by Adele Buffington. The film stars Whip Wilson, Andy Clyde, Riley Hill, Reno Browne, Bill Kennedy and Pierce Lyden. The film was released on January ...

'' (1949) co-starring Kenne Duncan * ''

Fence Riders ''Fence Riders'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Wallace Fox and written by Eliot Gibbons. The film stars Whip Wilson, Andy Clyde, Reno Browne, Riley Hill, Myron Healey and Ed Cassidy. The film was released on January 19, 1950, by ...

'' (1950) co-starring Myron Healy * '' Gunslingers'' (1950) co-starring Andy Clyde and Reno Browne * ''

Outlaws of Texas ''Outlaws of Texas'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Thomas Carr and written by Daniel B. Ullman. The film stars Whip Wilson, Andy Clyde, Phyllis Coates, Terry Frost, Tommy Farrell and Zon Murray. The film was released on December ...

'' (1950) co-starring Phyllis Coates * ''Wanted: Dead or Alive'' (1951) co-starring Fuzzy Knight * ''

Stagecoach Driver ''Stagecoach Driver'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Lewis D. Collins and starring Whip Wilson, Fuzzy Knight and Gloria Winters. The film's sets were designed by the art director Harry Reif. Cast *Whip Wilson as Whip Wilson * ...

'' (1951) co-starring Fuzzy Knight, John Hart * '' Nevada Badmen'' (1951) co-starring Fuzzy Knight, Phyllis Coates * '' Canyon Raiders'' (1951) co-starring Fuzzy Knight, Phyllis Coates * ''

Lawless Cowboys ''Lawless Cowboys'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Lewis D. Collins and written by Maurice Tombragel. The film stars Whip Wilson, Fuzzy Knight, Jim Bannon, Lee Roberts, Pamela Duncan and I. Stanford Jolley. The film was released ...

'' (1951) co-starring Fuzzy Knight * '' Stage to Blue River'' (1951) co-starring Fuzzy Knight, Phyllis Coates, and John Hart * '' Night Raiders'' (1952) co-starring Fuzzy Knight, Iron Eyes Cody * '' The Gunman'' (1952) co-starring Fuzzy Knight, Phyllis Coates * '' Montana Incident'' (1952) co-starring Noel Neill, Lyle Talbot * '' Wyoming Roundup'' (1952) co-starring Phyllis Coates, Lyle Talbot *NOTE - He also appeared in 4 other westerns in an uncredited (minor role) capacity....''God's Country'' (1946), ''

Silver Trails ''Silver Trails'' is a 1948 American Western film, directed by Christy Cabanne. It stars Jimmy Wakely, Dub Taylor, and Christine Larson, and was released on August 28, 1948. The film starred ''Whip Wilson'' (uncredited as the sheriff), who lat ...

'' (1948), ''

'' (1953) and the 1955 Burt Lancaster blockbuster '' The Kentuckian''.

References

External links

* * *
Whip Wilson
at b-westerns.com
Whip Wilson DVDs
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Whip People from Granite City, Illinois Male actors from Illinois American male film actors 1911 births 1964 deaths Male Western (genre) film actors 20th-century American male actors