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Craig Stevens
1918-2000
Updated 1/26/2009 with more films available on DVD!
biography
Born Gail Shikles in Liberty, Missouri, on July 8, 1918, Craig Stevens originally intended to be a dentist were it not for the drama classes he began taking at the University of Kansas in the late 1930s. Leaving college, Stevens went to California and, through his work at the Pasadena Playhouse, eventually found work in films. His film appearance came in a brief bit in Columbia's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939; with Jean Arthur and James Stewart). The young actor was signed by Warner Bros. in 1940. The studio immediately cast Stevens in a variety of supporting roles in features and lead roles in Warners' two-reelers. He met fellow Warner Bros. contract player Alexis Smith in 1941 while working on the film Dive Bomber (1941; with Errol Flynn and Fred MacMurray); the couple married in 1944. During World War II, Stevens became a popular leading man in B movies and acted in a number of military shorts for the war effort. After the war, however, Warner Bros. stable of actors returned from military service, and Steven's career went into decline, and by the late 1940s Stevens was working in musical two-reelers for the studio. He left Warner Bros. in 1949 and freelanced in such films as Monogram's Bowery Boys entry Blues Busters (1950; with Adele Jergens), the RKO western Drums in the Deep South (1951; with Guy Madison and Barbara Payton), and the Allied Artists noir thriller Murder Without Tears (1953; with Joyce Holden). Stevens' career stablized in the mid 1950s with roles in Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953; with Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, and Boris Karloff), Duel on the Mississippi (1955; with Lex Barker and directed by William Castle), and the campy horror flick The Deadly Mantis (1957; with William Hopper and Alix Talton).
Early 1940s Warner Bros. photo
In 1958, Stevens was cast in the title role in the NBC noir series Peter Gunn, for which he's best remembered. Following the cancellation of the series in 1961, he appeared on Broadway in Meredith Willson's Here's Love, beginning in October 1963 and running for several months. Afterward, Stevens was cast as the star of the CBS drama Mr. Broadway, which aired in the fall of 1964.
the films of craig stevens
Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)
From the 20th Century Fox film noir release Where the Sidewalk Ends with Gary Merrill and Gene Tierney
The Lady from Texas (1951)
From Universal-International's western The Lady from Texas. LEFT: Stevens as Cyril Guthrie. CENTER: With Howard Duff, Barbara Knudson, and Ed Begley. RIGHT: With Barbara Knudson
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953)
From Universal-International's comedy Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Murder Without Tears (1953)
From the Allied Artists noir release Murder Without Tears with Joyce Holden
The Deadly Mantis (1957)
From Universal-International's science fiction thriller The Deadly Mantis. LEFT and CENTER A: With William Hopper and Alix Talton. CENTER B: With Pat Conway and Donald Randolph. RIGHT: With Alix Talton
Peter Gunn (1958-1961 NBC TV Series)
Stevens as title character in NBC's Peter Gunn. Also pictured is Lola Albright, who portrayed lounge singer Edie Hart in the series
Mr. Broadway (1964 CBS TV Series)
Promotional photo from the CBS series Mr. Broadway
Gunn (1967)
From Paramount's big-screen release Gunn, directed by Blake Edwards. LEFT: Stevens with a bevy of beauties. RIGHT: With Laura Devon
Marcus Welby, M.D (1969-1976 ABC TV Series)
Stevens appeared with wife Alexis Smith in the Marcus Welby, M.D. episode The Windfall, which originally aired on March 23, 1971. Also pictured is Robert Young
later years
In the 1970s and 1980s, Stevens worked mostly in television but tackled stage roles from time to time as did his wife, Alexis Smith, who worked frequently on Broadway throughout much of the 1970s. Stevens retired from acting in the late 1980s and passed away from cancer in May 2000 at the age of 81. Smith preceded him in death in 1993 at age 72.
Peter Gunn: Set #1 [DVD] DVD
Includes "The Kill," "Streetcar Jones," "The Vicious Dog," "The Blind Pianist," "The Frog," "The Chinese Hangman," "Lynn's Blues," "Rough Buck," "Image of Sally," "The Man with the Scar," "Death House Testament," "The Torch," "The Jockey," "Sisters of the Friendless," "The Leaper" and "The Fuse." 6 1/2 hrs. on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English; biographies; trivia game; scene access.
Peter Gunn: Set #2 [DVD] DVD
Includes "Let's Kill Timothy," "The Missing Night Watchman," "Murder on the Midway," "Pecos Pete," "Scuba," "Edie Finds a Corpse," "The Dirty Word," "The Ugly Frame," "The Lederer Story," "Keep Smiling," "Breakout," "Pay Now, Kill Later," "Skin Deep," "February Girl," "Love Me to Death" and "The Family Affair." 6 1/2 hrs. on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English; biographies; trivia game; scene access.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season Three [DVD](1957) DVD
All 39 episodes from the series's third season--including "The Glass Eye" (with Jessica Tandy and William Shatner), "Together" (with Joseph Cotten), "Foghorn" (with Michael Rennie), "A Dip in the Poole" (with Fay Wray), "The Deadly" (with Craig Stevens), and "Little White Frock" (with Julie Adams)--are collected in a five-disc set. 17 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH).
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington [DVD](1939) DVD
Frank Capra's classic comedy-drama about government and the American spirit. Jimmy Stewart is an idealistic senator who tries to stem the tide of graft he finds around him. Claude Rains is a corrupt colleague, Jean Arthur a jaded secretary who joins Stewart's crusade. 129 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby mono, Portuguese, Spanish; Subtitles: English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai; audio commentary; featurette; publicity materials; biographies; trailers.
Dive Bomber [DVD](1941) DVD
In order to better understand the problems faced by high-altitude combat fliers, armed forces surgeon Errol Flynn goes through the rigors of pilot training, in director Michael Curtiz's fine war-themed drama, made shortly before America's entry into World War II. With Ralph Bellamy, Fred MacMurray, Alexis Smith. 132 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish.
Since You Went Away [DVD](1944) DVD
Powerhouse tearjerker about a homefront family coping with hardship and tragedy during World War II, written and produced by David O. Selznick. Exceptional cast includes Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Shirley Temple, Joseph Cotten, Monty Woolley and Lionel Barrymore. 177 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
The Joan Crawford Collection [DVD] DVD
Five-disc set includes "The Women," "Mildred Pierce," "Humoresque," "Possessed" (1947), and "The Damned Don't Cry."
Humoresque [DVD](1946) DVD
Classic tale has Joan Crawford as a married, promiscuous arts patron who is obsessed with talented young violinist John Garfield. She becomes his manager and sees him rise to the top of the music world while he shuns her desires. Oscar Levant, J. Carroll Naish, and Robert Blake (as the young Garfield) co-star. 125 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; featurette; theatrical trailer.
Where The Sidewalk Ends [DVD](1950) DVD
"Laura" director Otto Preminger reunited with stars Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney for this moody crime drama in which Andrews is a violent cop who accidentally kills a murder suspect while interrogating him. An innocent taxi driver is blamed for the crime but Andrews must wrestle with his own guilt, especially when he falls for the cabbie's beautiful daughter (Tierney). With Gary Merrill, Bert Freed, Tom Tully, Ruth Donnelly, and Karl Malden. 95 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; photo gallery; theatrical trailer.
Drums In The Deep South [DVD](1951) DVD
The Civil War is the battleground for emotions and loyalties when a group of West Point comrades find themselves fighting on opposite sides. Guy Madison, Barbara Payton, Craig Stevens star; directed by William Cameron Menzies. 87 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono.
The Bette Davis Collection [DVD] DVD
Six-disc set includes "All About Eve" (2-Disc Special Edition), "Phone Call from a Stranger" (1952), "The Virgin Queen" (1955), "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte," and "The Nanny" (1965).
Abbott & Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection [DVD] DVD
Fifteen-disc set includes "One Night in the Tropics" (1940), "Buck Privates" (1941), "In the Navy" (1941), "Hold That Ghost!" (1941), "Keep 'Em Flying" (1941), "Ride 'Em Cowboy" (1942), "Pardon My Sarong" (1942), "Who Done It?" (1942), "It Ain't Hay" (1943), "Hit the Ice" (1943), "In Society" (1944), "Here Come the Co-Eds" (1945), "The Naughty Nineties" (1945), "Little Giant" (1946), "The Time of Their Lives" (1946), "Buck Privates Come Home" (1947), "The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap" (1947), "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948), "Mexican Hayride" (1948), "Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff" (1949), "Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion" (1950), "Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man" (1951), "Comin' Round the Mountain" (1951), "Lost in Alaska" (1952), "Abbott and Costello Go to Mars" (1953), "Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1953), "Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops" (1955), and "Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy" (1955), and a disc featuring the documentaries "The World of Abbott and Costello" (1964), "Abbott and Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld" (1994), and "Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters" (2000); also includes a 44-page book. 38 hrs. total.
The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection, Vols. 1 & 2 [DVD] DVD
"Dr. Cyclops" (1940) stars Albert Dekker as a mad scientist who shrinks five people to miniature size and holds them prisoner. A group of American G.I.s stumbles on the secret rituals of the snake-worshipping "Cult of the Cobra" (1955). Faith Domergue, David Janssen star. A lab experiment unleashes a rapidly growing "Tarantula" (1955). John Agar, Leo G. Carroll star. Archeologists Agar and Hugh Beaumont discover a clawed, bug-eyed race called "The Mole People" (1956). Grant Williams is "The Incredible Shrinking Man" (1957) who begins to diminish in size after exposure to radiation. Meteorite fragments absorb water from everything around them (including people), creating "The Monolith Monsters" (1957). An expedition to Antarctica finds a prehistoric world, in "The Land Unknown" (1957). Earthquakes release a giant prehistoric insect from suspended animation, in "The Deadly Mantis" (1957). A college biology instructor is transformed into a Neanderthal man, in "Monster on the Campus" (1958). A native African ritual turn s a scientist's wife into "The Leech Woman" (1960). 13 hrs. total on six discs. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; theatrical trailers.
The Films Of Budd Boetticher [DVD] DVD
Saddle up for five ace westerns from director Budd Boetticher! "The Tall T" (1957) offers a psychological study with Randolph Scott as a rancher taken captive with a newlywed couple by a gang of outlaws. Richard Boone, Maureen O'Sullivan co-star; based on Elmore Leonard's story. Next, gunman Scott takes over a small town and sets out to kill one of its residents. What's his target's crime? Find out, in "Decision at Sundown" (1957). With John Caroll, Karen Steele. Texas drifter Tom Buchanan (Scott) arrives in a California border town and into the midst of a violent family feud. Each side tries to exploit him, but Scott makes it clear that "Buchanan Rides Alone" (1958). Craig Stevens, Tol Avery co-star. Bounty hunter Scott sets out with a young widow and two reformed outlaws to capture a wanted killer, but none know Scott's real motive. "Ride Lonesome" (1959) co-stars James Best, Lee Van Cleef. After spending 10 years searching for his kidnapped wife, Scott rescues a settler's wife who's been captured by the Indians...but they're not out of danger yet! "Comanche Station" (1960) co-stars Claude Akins, Nancy Gates. 6 1/3 hrs. total on five discs. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; documentary.
S.O.B. [DVD](1981) DVD
Blake Edwards' hilarious lampoon of the Hollywood studio stars Richard Mulligan as a beleaguered director whose latest film, a $30 million flop, has a chance of being saved if he can turn it into a soft-core teaser and convince the film's star (Julie Andrews) to bare her breasts. Co-stars William Holden, Robert Loggia and Robert Preston. 121 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby mono, French mono; Subtitles: English, Chinese, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai; filmographies; theatrical trailer; scene access.
La Truite (The Trout) [DVD](1982) DVD
Bored with life on her family's fish farm in rural France and ignored by her gay husband, pleasure-seeking Isabelle Huppert begins a quest for fulfillment that takes her to Japan with a businessman lover before returning home. Director Joseph Losey's symbolic and sensual adaptation of Roger Vailland's novel also stars Jean-Pierre Cassel, Jeanne Moreau, Jacques Spiesser. 104 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: French mono; Subtitles: English; filmographies.
filmography
FILM
Marcus Welby, M.D.: A Holiday Affair (1988) with Alexis Smith and Robert Young
Supercarrier (1988) with Robert Hooks, Paul Gleason, Ken Olandt, Richard Jaeckel, and Denise Nicholas
Condor (1986) with Ray Wise
The Trout (1982) with Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Jeanne Moreau, and Alexis Smith
S.O.B. (1981) with Julie Andrews, William Holden, Marisa Berenson, Larry Hagman, Robert Loggia, and Shelley Winters
Secrets of Three Hungry Wives (1978) with Jessica Walter, Eve Plumb, and James Franciscus
The Love Boat II (1977) with Ken Berry, Bert Convy, Celeste Holm, Hope Lange, Robert Reed, Lyle Waggoner, and Diana Canova
Rich Man, Poor Man (1976) with Peter Strauss, Nick Nolte, Susan Blakely, Edward Asner, Gloria Grahame, Dorothy McGuire, Robert Reed, and Frank Aletter
Killer Bees (1974) with Edward Albert, Kate Jackson, and Gloria Swanson
The Elevator (1974) with James Farentino, Roddy McDowall, Don Stroud, Myrna Loy, Carol Lynley, and Barry Livingston
The Snoop Sisters (1972) with Helen Hayes, Mildred Natwick, Art Carney, Paulette Goddard, Charlie Callas, Jill Clayburgh, Bill Dana, and Edward Platt
Who Killed Miss U.S.A.? (1970) with Dennis Weaver, Peter Mark Richman, Diana Muldaur, Terry Carter, Raul Julia, and Julie Newmar
The Limbo Line (1968)
Gunn (1967) with Laura Devon, Edward Asner, Sherry Jackson, and J. Pat O'Malley
The Fanatics (1960) with Philippe Hersent
From the Desk of Margaret Tyding (1958) with Maggie Hayes
Buchanan Rides Alone (1958) with Randolph Scott, Barry Kelley, and L.Q. Jones
The Deadly Mantis (1957) with William Hopper and Alix Talton
Duel on the Mississippi (1955) with Lex Barker, Patricia Medina, and Warren Stevens
The French Line (1954) with Jane Russell and Gilbert Roland
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953) with Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Boris Karloff, and Reginald Denny
Murder Without Tears (1953) with Joyce Holden and Richard Benedict
Phone Call from a Stranger (1952) with Bette Davis, Gary Merrill, Shelley Winters, Keenan Wynn, Michael Rennie, Warren Stevens, and Hugh Beaumont
Drums in the Deep South (1951) with James Craig, Barbara Payton, and Guy Madison
The Lady from Texas (1951) with Howard Duff, Mona Freeman, and Gene Lockhart
Katie Did It (1951) with Ann Blyth, Mark Stevens, Cecil Kellaway, and Jesse White
Blues Busters (1950) with Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Adele Jergens, and Phyllis Coates
Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950) with Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney, Gary Merrill, Tom Tully, Karl Malden, and Neville Brand
Night Unto Night (1949) with Ronald Reagan, Viveca Lindfors, Broderick Crawford, Rosemary DeCamp, and Osa Massen
Love and Learn (1947) with Jack Carson, Robert Hutton, Martha Vickers, Janis Paige, Otto Kruger, and Angela Greene
That Way with Women (1947) with Dane Clark, Martha Vickers, and Sydney Greenstreet
The Man I Love (1947) with Ida Lupino, Robert Alda, Andrea King, Bruce Bennett, and Martha Vickers
Humoresque (1946) with Joan Crawford, John Garfield, Oscar Levant, and J. Carrol Naish
Too Young to Know (1945) with Joan Leslie, Robert Hutton, Rosemary DeCamp, Robert Lowell, and Dorothy Malone
God Is My Co-Pilot (1945) with Dennis Morgan, Dane Clark, Raymond Massey, Andrea King, and Mark Stevens
Roughly Speaking (1945) with Rosalind Russell, Jack Carson, Robert Hutton, Andrea King, Mona Freeman, and Ray Collins
Resisting Enemy Interrogation (1944)
The Doughgirls (1944) with Ann Sheridan, Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Jane Wyman, Charles Ruggles, Eve Arden, and Alan Mowbray
Since You Went Away (1944) with Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten, Shirley Temple, Monty Woolley, Lionel Barrymore, Robert Walker, Hattie McDaniel, Agnes Moorehead, Guy Madison, Alla Nazimova, and Keenan Wynn
The Hidden Hand (1942) with Elisabeth Fraser, Julie Bishop, and Willie Best
Secret Enemies (1942) with Faye Emerson
Spy Ship (1942)
Steel Against the Sky (1941) with Alexis Smith, Lloyd Nolan, Gene Lockhart, and Julie Bishop
The Body Disappears (1941) with Jeffrey Lynn, Jane Wyman, Edward Everett Horton, Marguerite Chapman, Willie Best, William Hopper, and Natalie Schafer
Law of the Tropics (1941) with Constance Bennett, Jeffrey Lynn, and Regis Toomey
Dive Bomber (1941) with Errol Flynn, Fred MacMurray, Ralph Bellamy, Alexis Smith, Robert Armstrong, and Regis Toomey
Affectionately Yours (1941) with Merle Oberon, Dennis Morgan, Rita Hayworth, Ralph Bellamy, George Tobias, Hattie McDaniel, Jerome Cowan, and Butterfly McQueen
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) with Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Claude Rains, Thomas Mitchell, Eugene Pallette, Beulah Bondi, and H.B. Warner
TELEVISION SERIES
Dallas, 1978-1991 CBS TV series. Stevens portrayed Craig Stewart in 1981
The Invisible Man, 1975-1976 NBC TV series. Stevens portrayed Walter Carlson. Also in the cast was David McCallum
Mr. Broadway, 1964 CBS TV series. Stevens portrayed Mike Bell
Man of the World, 1962-1963 syndicated TV series. Stevens portrayed Michael Strait
Peter Gunn, 1958-1961 NBC/later ABC TV series. Stevens portrayed Peter Gunn
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This page premiered February 17, 2005.
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