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Cal Bolder
1931-2005
Updated 4/12/2008.
biography
Born Earl Craver in Kansas in 1931, Cal Bolder appeared in several films and a number of TV shows from 1960 to 1968, but his career never got the boost that he deserved. After attending college and doing a stint in the Marines, Bolder relocated to Los Angeles and became a policeman. A chance meeting with an agent got him into acting. Fans of the original 1966-1969 series Star Trek will remember Bolder from the second-season episode Friday's Child, which was one of his last acting roles. Today, Cal Bolder is perhaps best known for his role in the campy 1966 horror film Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter. In the late 1960s, Bolder retired from acting and moved his family to Washington. In 2001, he published a novel, Last Reunion, under his real name E. C. Craver, and afterward wrote a sequel, which is as yet unpublished. For more biographical information on Cal Bolder, see Michael Barnum's interview with him at Horror-Wood Webzine.
In Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter, James and his partner, Hank Tracy, arrive in Arizona to rob a stagecoach, but James is ambushed by the marshal (Jim Davis). Hank is badly wounded and is taken to Maria Frankenstein's house for treatment. When Dr. Frankenstein (who is the original Dr. Frankenstein's granddaughter, not daughter) spots big, beefy Hank, she decides that he would be a good candidate for brain replacement surgery, and sets about to create a monster who will do her bidding. Frankenstein renames Hank "Igor" after she swaps his brain for an artificial one, and makes her new monster kill her pesky brother, Rudolph. When Jesse James gets clued in, he tries to rescue Hank/Igor, but Igor kills Dr. Frankenstein and is then shot by one of the locals. At the end of the film, James agrees to be arrested by the marshal.
Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter is an attempt to mix the western and horror film genres, though it works better as a camp outing. Directed by William "One Shot" Beaudine Jr., Jesse James and its companion on the drive-in double bill circuit, Billy the Kid vs. Dracula (1966; with John Carradine), were the final films in Beaudine's 40-plus year directoral career. (Beaudine died in 1970.) Beginning his career in the silents, he directed more than 150 films and practically invented 'B' movies, often making pictures in less than a week and always bringing them in under budget.
the films of cal bolder
Adventures in Paradise (1959-1962 ABC TV Series)
Images from Bolder's appearance on Adventures in Paradise, episode A Whale of a Tale, which originally aired in November 1960. LEFT and CENTER: Cal Bolder as Bruce. RIGHT: With Rhys Williams and Juliet Prowse
Bonanza (1959-1973 NBC TV Series)
Images from Bonanza, episode The Ape, which originally aired in December 1960. LEFT: Cal Bolder as Arnie Gurne, the Ape. RIGHT: Bolder attempts to do harm to saloon girl Karen Sharpe (thanks to Michael Barnum)
Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter (1966)
LEFT and CENTER A: Nestor Paiva reluctantly pays Jesse James (John Lupton) for the fight that Hank Tracy (Cal Bolder) won. CENTER B and C: Evil Dr. Maria Frankenstein (Narda Onyx) has turned Cal Bolder into her monster. CENTER D: Carrying friend John Lupton out of harm's way. CENTER E and RIGHT: Hank exacts revenge on Dr. Rudolph Frankenstein (Steven Geray) and Narda Onyx
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964-1968 NBC TV Series)
From The Man from U.N.C.L.E., episode The Alexander The Greater Affair, which originally aired in September 1965. Also pictured are Dorothy Provine and Robert Vaughn (thanks to Michael Barnum)
later years
In the late 1960s, Cal Bolder retired from the screen and left Los Angeles, moving north to Washington. In early 2001, his first novel, Last Reunion, was published; the story draws on Bolder's experience working for the LAPD and is set in a small Washington town. Sadly, Cal Bolder passed away on January 19, 2005, from cancer at age 74.
Daniel Boone: Season 3 [DVD](1966) DVD
All 27 episodes from the third season--including "Dan'l Boone Shot a B'ar," "First in War, First in Peace," the two-part "The Williamsburg Cannon," "The Young Ones," and "The Fallow Land"--are collected in an eight-disc set. 22 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital stereo; audio commentary; featurettes.
Heller In Pink Tights [DVD](1960) DVD
Offbeat Western drama, based on a Louis L'Amour novel, stars Sophia Loren and Anthony Quinn as members of a threadbare theatrical troupe traversing the frontier who must stay one step ahead of creditors and the law. Steve Forrest, Margaret O'Brien, Ramon Novarro also star. 100 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English.
Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter [DVD](1965) DVD
As often happens with films of this caliber, it's actually the infamous mad doctor's granddaughter who makes a monster out of Jesse's buddy and sends "Igor" after his gunslinger pal. John Lupton and Narda Onyx play the title roles in director William Beaudine's sublimely silly sagebrush shocker. Also features Cal Bolder as the monster. 83 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; audio commentary by Joe Bob Briggs; theatrical trailer; more.
Bonanza: The Ape/Day Of Reckoning [DVD] DVD
Hoss challenges a brutish man who mishandles a saloon girl, in "The Ape. Then, after Ben gives a Native American land on the Ponderosa for saving his life, the neighbors are enraged, in "Day of Reckoning."
Star Trek: Season Two [DVD](1967) DVD
All 26 episodes from the second season--including "Friday's Child," "Amok Time," "Mirror, Mirror," "The Doomsday Machine," "Journey to Babel," "The Trouble with Tribbles," and "Assignment: Earth"--are featured, in their original broadcast order, in a seven-disc set. 21 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital mono; featurettes; photo gallery.
Star Trek: Metamorphosis/Friday's Child [DVD] DVD
Kirk, Spock, McCoy and a federation executive are held prisoner along with an early Earth astronaut by a strange alien force. Then, on a savage desert planet, Kirk, Spock and McCoy protect the wife of a slain leader from her own people and the Klingons.
filmography
FILM
Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter (1966) with Narda Onyx, John Lupton, and Jim Davis
One of Our Spies is Missing (1966) with Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, Yvonne Craig, Leo G. Carroll, Vera Miles, and Dolores Faith
One Spy Too Many (1966) with Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, Yvonne Craig, Leo G. Carroll, and Elisha Cook Jr.
Heller in Pink Tights (1960) with Sophia Loren, Anthony Quinn, and Ramon Novarro
TELEVISION
Cimarron Strip, episode Knife in the Darkness, originally aired January 25, 1968
Star Trek, episode Friday's Child, originally aired December 1, 1967
Daniel Boone, episode Goliath, originally aired 1966
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., episode The Romany Affair, series aired 1966-1967
Bonanza, episode The Fighters, originally aired spring 1966
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., episode The Bridge of Lions Affair, originally aired February 4, 1966
Honey West, episode Invitation to Limbo, originally aired December 17, 1965
Destry, episode Blood Brother-in-Law, originally aired April 17, 1964
Gunsmoke, episode The Summons, originally aired April 21, 1962
Outlaws, episode Sam Bass, originally aired May 4, 1961
Bonanza, episode The Ape, originally aired December 17, 1960
Adventures in Paradise, episode A Whale of a Tale, originally aired November 7, 1960
cal bolder links
Horror-Wood Webzine: Cal Bolder Meets Frankenstein's Daughter
Check out Michael Barnum's interview with Cal Bolder.
Rotten Tomatoes: Cal Bolder
LikeTelevision: Bonanza
This site has a few screen captures from the Bonanza episode The Ape with Cal Bolder.
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This page premiered June 22, 1998.
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