Ronald Anstuther Davidson (July 13, 1899 – July 28, 1965) was an American screenwriter. He was born in Arizona, raised in Los Angeles, and died in San Diego, California. He was the son of Dr. Ansthuther and Alice Davidson. He graduated from the

University of California, Berkeley The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California) is a public land-grant research university in Berkeley, California. Established in 1868 as the University of California, it is the state's first land-grant u ...

where he was a member of

Sigma Pi Sigma Pi () is a collegiate fraternity with 233 chapters at American universities. As of 2021, the fraternity had more than 5,000 undergraduate members and over 110,000 alumni. Sigma Pi headquarters are in Nashville, Tennessee. The fraternity ...

fraternity and

Phi Beta Kappa The Phi Beta Kappa Society () is the oldest academic honor society in the United States, and the most prestigious, due in part to its long history and academic selectivity. Phi Beta Kappa aims to promote and advocate excellence in the liberal a ...

. Ronald Davidson started his career as a short story writer and in 1943 was appointed as story editor for

Republic Studios Republic Pictures Corporation (currently held under Melange Pictures, LLC) was an American motion picture production-distribution corporation in operation from 1935 to 1967, that was based in Los Angeles. It had studio facilities in Studio City an ...

movie serial A serial film, film serial (or just serial), movie serial, or chapter play, is a motion picture form popular during the first half of the 20th century, consisting of a series of short subjects exhibited in consecutive order at one theater, gene ...

s and some feature films. He has also written some TV films and serials and has been associate producer for some film productions. He was a member of the

Screen Writers Guild The Screen Writers Guild was an organization of Hollywood screenplay authors, formed as a union in 1933. In 1954, it became two different organizations: Writers Guild of America, West and the Writers Guild of America, East. Founding Screenwriter ...

Screenwriter filmography

Movie serials *''

The Painted Stallion ''The Painted Stallion'' is a 1937 American Western film serial from Republic Pictures. It was the sixth Republic serial of the sixty-six made by that company. Western serials such as this made up a third of the serials from Republic, a studio t ...

'' (1937) *'' S.O.S. Coast Guard'' (1937) *''

Zorro Rides Again ''Zorro Rides Again'' (1937) is a 12-chapter Republic Pictures film serial. It was the eighth of the sixty-six Republic serials, the third with a Western theme (a third of Republic's serials were westerns) and the last produced in 1937. The s ...

'' (1937) *''

The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in ...

'' (1938) *''

The Fighting Devil Dogs ''The Fighting Devil Dogs'' (1938) is a 12-chapter Republic movie serial starring Lee Powell and Herman Brix, the latter better known by his later stage name, Bruce Bennett. It was directed by William Witney and John English. While not often co ...

'' (1938) *''

Dick Tracy Returns ''Dick Tracy Returns'' (1938) is a Republic Movie serial based on the Dick Tracy comic strip. It was the eleventh of the sixty-six serials Republic produced and a sequel to the 1937 serial ''Dick Tracy'', with Ralph Byrd reprising his role as the ...

'' (1938) *''

The Lone Ranger Rides Again ''The Lone Ranger Rides Again'' is a 1939 American Republic serial. It was a sequel to Republic's 1938 serial '' The Lone Ranger'', which had been highly successful, and the thirteenth of the sixty-six serials produced by Republic. The serial ...

'' (1939) *''

Daredevils of the Red Circle ''Daredevils of the Red Circle'' (1939) is a 12-chapter Republic Movie Serial starring Charles Quigley, David Sharpe, Herman Brix (better known under his subsequent stage name, Bruce Bennett), Carole Landis, Miles Mander (in a dual role) an ...

'' (1939) *''

Dick Tracy's G-Men ''Dick Tracy's G-Men'' (1939) is a 15-Chapter Republic movie serial based on the ''Dick Tracy'' comic strip by Chester Gould. It was directed by William Witney and John English. This serial was the fifteenth of the sixty-six produced by Repu ...

'' (1939) *''

Zorro's Fighting Legion ''Zorro's Fighting Legion'' is a 1939 Republic Pictures film serial consisting of twelve chapters starring Reed Hadley as Zorro and directed by William Witney and John English. The plot revolves around his alter-ego Don Diego's fight against t ...

'' (1939) *''

Drums of Fu Manchu ''Drums of Fu Manchu'' (1940) is a 15-chapter Republic Pictures, Republic serial film based on the character created by Sax Rohmer. Though using the title of the ninth novel in the series, it actually is based on numerous elements from throughout ...

'' (1940) *''

Adventures of Red Ryder ''The Adventures of Red Ryder'' is a 1940 12-chapter Republic movie serial directed by William Witney and John English and starring Don "Red" Barry and Noah Beery, Sr., based on the Western comic strip '' Red Ryder''. This serial is t ...

'' (1940) *''

Mysterious Doctor Satan ''Mysterious Doctor Satan'' (also known as ''Doctor Satan's Robot'') is a 1940 American film serial directed by William Witney and John English. Produced by Republic Pictures, the serial stars Edward Ciannelli, Robert Wilcox, William Newell, C ...

'' (1940) *''

Adventures of Captain Marvel ''Adventures of Captain Marvel'' is a 1941 American 12-chapter black-and-white serial film, movie serial from Republic Pictures, produced by Hiram S. Brown, Jr., directed by John English (director), John English and William Witney, that stars T ...

'' (1941) *''

Jungle Girl A jungle girl (so-called, but usually adult woman) is an archetype or stock character, often used in popular fiction, of a female adventurer, superhero or even a damsel in distress living in a jungle or rainforest setting. An alternate depiction i ...

'' (1941) *''

King of the Texas Rangers ''King of the Texas Rangers'' (1941) is a Republic film serial. Set in the years prior to America entering World War II, the plot is slightly anachronistic in that the serial features a mix of period western and modern elements, which was not un ...

'' (1941) *''

Dick Tracy vs Crime Inc ''Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc.'' (1941) is a Republic Pictures, Republic Movie serial based on the Dick Tracy comic strip. It was directed by the team of William Witney and John W English, John English with Ralph Byrd reprising his role from the ea ...

'' (1941) *''

Spy Smasher Spy Smasher is the name of two fictional characters appearing in comics published by Fawcett and DC Comics. The first is a superhero that was formerly owned and published by Fawcett Comics. The second is a female anti-terrorism government agent, ...

'' (1942) *''

Perils of Nyoka ''Perils of Nyoka'' is a 1942 Republic serial directed by William Witney. It stars Kay Aldridge as Nyoka the Jungle Girl, a character who first appeared in the Edgar Rice Burroughs-inspired serial ''Jungle Girl''. Plot Nyoka, with help from La ...

'' (1942) *''

King of the Mounties ''King of the Mounties'' is a 1942 Republic 12-chapter film serial, directed by William Witney. Allan Lane played Sgt. Dave King of the Mounties, with Peggy Drake as heroine Carol Brent, and Abner Biberman played the villainous Japanese admiral ...

'' (1942) *''

G-Men vs The Black Dragon ''G-Men vs. The Black Dragon'' (1943) is a Republic Pictures movie serial. It is noteworthy among adventure serials as containing an unusually high number of fistfights, all staged by director William Witney and a team of stuntmen. This was Witne ...

'' (1943) *''

Daredevils of the West ''Daredevils of the West'' is an American Western movie serial consisting of 12 chapters, released by Republic Pictures in 1943 starring Allan Lane and Kay Aldridge. The plot involves a gang of land-grabbers who try to prevent safe passage of t ...

'' (1943) *''

Secret Service in Darkest Africa ''Secret Service in Darkest Africa'' is a 1943 Republic serial. It was Republic's thirtieth serial, of the sixty-six produced by the studio. It was a sequel to ''G-Men vs. the Black Dragon'' released earlier in 1943, again starring Rod Camero ...

'' (1943) *''

The Masked Marvel ''The Masked Marvel'' (1943) is a 12-chapter film serial created by Republic Pictures, who produced many other well known serials. It was Republic's thirty-first serial, of the sixty-six they produced. Plot In ''The Masked Marvel'', a hero dress ...

'' (1943) *''

Captain America Captain America is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character First appearance, first appeared in ''#Golden Age, Captain America Comics'' #1 (cover ...

'' (1944) *'' The Tiger Woman'' (1944) *''

The Invisible Monster ''The Invisible Monster'' is a 1950 Republic film serial, starring Richard Webb and Aline Towne. Plot A would-be dictator and scientist, known only as ''The Phantom Ruler'', has developed a formula which, when sprayed on some solid object, rend ...

'' (1950) *''

Desperadoes of the West ''Desperadoes of the West'' (1950) is a 12-chapter Republic film serial. Cast * Richard Powers as Ward Gordon *Judy Clark as Sally Arnold *Roy Barcroft as Hacker, a henchman * I. Stanford Jolley as J. B. "Dude" Dawson *Lee Phelps as Rusty Steel ...

'' (1950) *''

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) *''

Don Daredevil Rides Again ''Don Daredevil Rides Again'' (1951) is a Republic Movie serial. It makes heavy use of stock footage from Republic's previous Zorro serials. The character of ''Don Daredevil'' (Ken Curtis) was created for this serial as the rights to Zorro b ...

'' (1951) *'' Government Agents vs Phantom Legion'' (1951) *''

Radar Men from the Moon ''Radar Men from the Moon'' is a 1952 black-and-white Republic Pictures' 12-chapter movie serial, the first Commando Cody serial starring newcomer George Wallace as Cody, Aline Towne as his sidekick Joan Gilbert, and serial veteran Roy Barcroft ...

'' (1952) *''

Zombies of the Stratosphere ''Zombies of the Stratosphere'' is a 1952 black-and-white Republic Studios serial directed by Fred C. Brannon, with a screenplay by Ronald Davidson, and special effects by Republic's Lydecker brothers. It was intended to be Republic's second ser ...

'' (1952) *''

Jungle Drums of Africa ''Jungle Drums of Africa'' is a 1953 12-episode American serial film shot in black-and-white. It was an original commissioned screenplay by Ronald Davidson produced by Franklin Adreon and directed by Fred C. Brannon for Republic Pictures. The s ...

'' (1953) *''

Canadian Mounties vs Atomic Invaders ''Canadian Mounties vs Atomic Invaders'' (1953) is a Republic Movie serial starring Bill Henry and both produced and directed by Franklin Adreon. It was the sixty-second serial (of sixty-six) produced by Republic. Despite the title, this is n ...

'' (1953) *''

Trader Tom of the China Seas ''Trader Tom of the China Seas'' is a 1954 Republic film serial directed by Franklin Adreon and starring Harry Lauter, Aline Towne, Lyle Talbot, Robert Shayne, Fred Graham, and Richard Reeves. In 1966 the serial was edited into ''Century 66 ...

'' (1954) *''

Man with the Steel Whip ''Man with the Steel Whip'' is a 1954 Republic Western serial film. It uses considerable stock footage from the previous Republic serials "Zorro's Black Whip", "The Painted Stallion" and "Daredevils of the West." Plot Saloon owner Barnett wants ...

'' (1954) *''

Panther Girl of the Kongo ''Panther Girl of the Kongo'' is a 1955 Republic movie serial that contains a great deal of stock footage from the 1941 Republic serial ''Jungle Girl''. This was the penultimate of Republic's 66 serial films. Plot Mad scientist Dr. Morgan wants ...

'' (1955) *''

King of the Carnival ''King of the Carnival'' (1955) is a Republic movie serial that contains a substantial amount of stock footage from the earlier Republic serial ''Daredevils of the Red Circle''. It is the 66th and final serial produced by Republic and is ofte ...

'' (1955) Feature films *''

Hi-Yo Silver ''Hi-Yo Silver'' is a 1940 American Western (genre), Western film, directed by William Witney and John English (director), John English. It stars Lee Powell (actor), Lee Powell, Hi-Yo Silver, and Chief Thundercloud and was released on April 10 ...

'' (1940) *''

'' (1943) (Feature version of the 1938 serial) *''

Range Renegades ''Range Renegades'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by Lambert Hillyer and written by Ronald Davidson and William Lively. The film stars Jimmy Wakely, Dub Taylor, Jennifer Holt, Riley Hill, Dennis Moore and John James. The film ...

'' (1948) *'' Triggerman'' (1948) *'' Cowboy Cavalier'' (1948) *'' The Fighting Ranger'' (1948) *''

Courtin' Trouble ''Courtin' Trouble'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by Ford Beebe and written by Ronald Davidson. The film stars Jimmy Wakely, Dub Taylor, Virginia Belmont, Leonard Penn, Marshall Reed and Steve Clark. The film was released on Novembe ...

'' (1948) *'' Across the Rio Grande'' (1949) *''

Range Justice ''Range Justice'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Ray Taylor and written by Ronald Davidson. The film stars Johnny Mack Brown, Max Terhune, Tris Coffin, Riley Hill, Sarah Padden and Eddie Parker. The film was released on July 16, ...

'' (1949) *'' Roaring Westward'' (1949) *''

Black Hills Ambush ''Black Hills Ambush'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Harry Keller and starring Allan Lane, Leslie Banning and Eddy Waller.Drew, p. 18. Plot Cast * Allan Lane as Rocky Lane * Black Jack as Black Jack * Eddy Waller as Nugget C ...

'' (1952) *'' Satan's Satellites'' (1958) *''

Missile Monsters ''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 Crave ...

'' (1958) *''

'' (1959) (Feature version of the 1937 serial)

Story writer (feature films)

*''

Daredevils of the Clouds ''Daredevils of the Clouds'' (aka ''Daredevils of the Sky'') is a 1948 American drama film directed by George Blair and produced by Republic Pictures. The film stars Robert Livingston, Mae Clarke and James Cardwell. ''Daredevils of the Clouds ...

'' (1948) *''

The Young and The Brave ''The Young and The Brave'' (also known by the working title ''Attong'') is a feature film released in 1963 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer which depicts the quality of bravery of a group of prisoners of war that escaped North Korean capture, their youthfu ...

'' (1963)

TV series and films

*'' Torpedo of Doom'' (1966 – TV film version of ''Fighting Devil Dogs'' 1938 serial) *'' Sakima and the Masked Marvel'' (1966 – TV film version of ''The Masked Marvel'' 1943 serial) *'' Nyoka and the Lost Secrets of Hippocrates'' (1966 – TV film) *'' Target: Sea of China'' (1966 – TV film) *''

The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu ''The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu'' is a syndicated American television series that aired in 1956. The show was produced by Hollywood Television Service, a subsidiary of Republic Pictures. Cast and characters * Glen Gordon as Dr. Fu Manchu * ...

'' (1956 – TV series) (episode: The Vengeance of Fu Manchu) *''

Commando Cody Commando Cody is the hero in two 12-chapter science fiction serials made by Republic Pictures, played by George Wallace in ''Radar Men from the Moon'' (1952) and Judd Holdren in '' Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe'' (1953). ''Zom ...

'' (1953 – TV series)

Associate producer filmography

*''

Haunted Harbor ''Haunted Harbor'' (1944) is a Republic serial, based on the novel by Ewart Adamson. Plot Sea captain Jim Marsden is about to be hanged for a murder he didn't commit, and is rescued from the gallows by two of his crewmen. To clear the captain' ...

'' (1944) *''

Zorro's Black Whip ''Zorro's Black Whip'' is a 1944 12-chapter film serial by Republic Pictures starring Linda Stirling. The film was made after the 1940 20th Century-Fox remake of '' The Mark of Zorro'' in order to capitalize on it. Republic was not able to us ...

'' (1944) *''

Manhunt of Mystery Island ''Manhunt of Mystery Island'' (1945) is a Republic Pictures, Republic Movie serial. It was the thirty-sixth serial produced by Republic (of a total of sixty-six) and the first released in 1945. It is the penultimate 15-chapter serial to be rele ...

'' (1945) *''

Federal Operator 99 ''Federal Operator 99'' is a 1945 Republic film serial. It was later edited down into a feature version titled ''F.B.I. 99'' for television. The serial is about an FBI agent named Jerry Blake who battles gentleman thief Jim Belmont, who escapes ...

'' (1945) *''

The Purple Monster Strikes ''The Purple Monster Strikes'' is a 1945 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 Shadow Strikes''. The ...

'' (1945) *'' The Phantom Rider'' (1946) *''

King of the Forest Rangers ''King of the Forest Rangers'' (1946) is a Republic film serial. Cast *Larry Thompson as Forest Ranger Captain Steve King *Helen Talbot as Marion Brennan * Stuart Hamblen as Prof Carver *Anthony Warde as Burt Spear *LeRoy Mason as "Flush" Halida ...

'' (1946) *''

Daughter of Don Q ''Daughter of Don Q'' (1946) is a Republic Movie serial. It combines elements of the B-Western genre with contemporary crime films, especially the popular "land grab" plot in which the villain attempts to steal apparently worthless land from t ...

'' (1946) *'' The Crimson Ghost'' (1946) *''

Son of Zorro ''Son of Zorro'' is a 1947 American Western film serial from Republic Pictures. It was the 43rd of the 66 serials produced by that studio. The serial was directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Fred C. Brannon. George Turner starred as a descen ...

'' (1947) *'' D-Day on Mars'' (1966) (TV – producer)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Davidson, Ronald 1899 births 1965 deaths American male screenwriters Film serial crew University of California, Berkeley alumni 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American screenwriters