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John Bromfield
1922-2005
Updated 3/27/2007 with more films available on DVD.
biography
Born Farron Bromfield in South Bend, Indiana, in June 1922, actor John Bromfield starred in a number of film noir classics and westerns during his fairly short film career, which lasted roughly a decade. Bromfield's rugged frame made him a natural for the westerns in which he was often cast, but he also proved to be a sturdy leading man in other film genres as well, including action/adventure, war films, and even a few comedies.
LEFT: Beautiful Corinne Calvet was the first Mrs. Bromfield. RIGHT: Bromfield with Tab Hunter
John Bromfield's first film roles came in 1948, when he was cast in the film noir thriller Sorry, Wrong Number for Columbia and in the adventure Harpoon at Paramount. During the making of his third film, Rope of Sand, Bromfield met actress Corinne Calvet, also a cast member. The couple married after completing the film in 1948 but parted ways in 1953. His career continuted to thrive through the mid 1950s, often starring in film noir releases and adventures, as well as the horror film Revenge of the Creature (1955; with John Agar and Lori Nelson). In 1956, he secured the title role in the Desilu-produced syndicated TV show Sheriff of Cochise, which was retitled U.S. Marshal during its third season. Bromfield met dancer Larri Thomas on the set of Curucu, Beast of the Amazon (1956; with Beverly Garland), marrying shortly thereafter. But this union ended in 1959, as did his TV show the following year. With the cancellation of U.S. Marshal in 1960, John Bromfield retired from the screen to pursue other interests.
the films of john bromfield
Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)
From Paramount's film noir thriller Sorry, Wrong Number with Leif Erickson
Rope of Sand (1949)
From the Paramount film noir adventure Rope of Sand with Paul Henreid and Corinne Calvet
Easy to Love (1953)
From Easy to Love with Esther Williams
The Back Dakotas (1954)
From the Columbia western The Black Dakotas
Revenge of the Creature (1955)
LEFT: John Bromfield looks for the Gill Man in the Universal 3-D horror film Revenge of the Creature, the first sequel to Creature from the Black Lagoon. CENTER With John Agar and Lori Nelson. RIGHT: Bromfield meets an early end
The Big Bluff (1955)
From The Big Bluff with Martha Vickers
Hot Cars (1956)
Curucu, Beast of the Amazon (1956)
Stills from the Universal-International adventure flick Curucu, Beast of the Amazon with Beverly Garland
Crime Against Joe (1956)
From Crime Against Joe with Julie London
Manfish (1956)
With Victor Jory in the adventure Manfish
Sheriff of Cochise, aka U.S. Marshal (1956-1960 Syndicated TV Series)
LEFT: Promotional shot of Bromfield from U.S. Marshal. CENTER: Souvenir program for the 1960 Los Angeles Sportmen's Show featuring John Bromfield (in character as Frank Morgan) on the cover. Spot Yogi Bear and Huckleberry Hound on the TV inset photo (thanks to Michael Barnum). RIGHT: A 1964 promotional photo
later years
Bromfield portrayed Frank Morgan in the TV series Sheriff of Cochise, produced by Desilu and released in the fall of 1956. Actor Stan Jones, who wrote the hit song Ghost Riders in the Sky, portrayed Deputy Olson. A total of 55 episodes were produced before the title of the series was changed to U.S. Marshal in 1958. More than 60 episodes of the retitled show were lensed until its demise in 1960. Following the cancellation of the
series, Bromfield retired from the screen to pursue other interests.
Sadly, John Bromfield passed away on September 18, 2005, at the age of 83. He is survived by his third wife.
Sheriff Of Cochise (U.S. Marshal, Vol. 1) [VHS] VHS
After a "Bank Robbery" is pulled off at the state bank, Frank Morgan and his deputies try to find the crooks before they strike again. And in "Lynching Party," a struggle between a young ranch hand and a ranch owner leads to murder and revenge. James Best guest stars. 50 min.
U.S. Marshal, Vol. 2 [VHS] VHS
In "Ghost Town," two convicts escape a county jail, taking another convict's wife hostage. They travel to an old ghost town, and Marshal Morgan and his compadres go to work. Also, a complex case involves Morgan and Deputy Ferguson in stolen jewels and insurance money in "The Triple Cross." 50 min.
U.S. Marshal, Vol. 3 [VHS] VHS
In "Grandfather," a journalist gets Marshal Morgan to tell his family's history and recall tales of his lawman grandfather. Then, "The Third Miracle" involves a man whose arrest and conviction is based on an anonymous phone call. Members of his church ask Marshal Morgan for help. 50 min.
U.S. Marshal, Vol. 4 [VHS] VHS
A forgotten birthday present is somehow connected to a gold bullion theft, and a missing woman holds the key, in "Backfire." Next, the murderer of a man under protective custody hides out in a remote farm in "Kill or Be Killed." 50 min.
26 Men/Sheriff Of Cochise [VHS] VHS
Two vintage TV Westerns set in Arizona are rounded up. First up is "Valley of Fear," from the based-on-fact series recounting the adventures of the 26 rangers charged by the Arizona Territorial Legislature with keeping the peace in 1901, followed by a modern-day drama with John Bromfield as Sheriff Morgan. 55 min.
Sorry, Wrong Number [DVD](1948) DVD
Classic suspense thriller stars Barbara Stanwyck in her Oscar-nominated role as a woman who accidentally hears her own murder being planned over the telephone, and must stop the plot before she's permanently disconnected. With Burt Lancaster, Ann Richards, Wendell Corey. 88 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; theatrical trailer; scene access.
Classic Western Round-Up, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
Prairie fires, snowstorms, hostile Indians, and a gun-smuggling Joan Bennett are just some of the problems trail boss Randolph Scott has to cope with on a 10,000-head cattle drive to Kansas, in "The Texans" (1938). With May Robson, Robert Cummings, Walter Brennan. Barbara Stanwyck is a gambling queen with a shady past who joins forces with an Army deserter and an old-time miner to face off against a powerful land baron, in "California" (1946). Ray Milland, Barry Fitzgerald also star. Then, Audie Murphy is a gunman who is wrongly accused of helping the Dalton gang in a train robbery--then joins them for real, in "The Cimarron Kid" (1952). With Beverly Tyler, James Best, and John Bromfield. Finally, Glenn Ford stars as "The Man from the Alamo" (1953). Branded a coward for his actions at the doomed fortress, Ford must fight to prove himself during the Mexican War. Julia Adams, Victor Jory, Hugh O'Brian co-star. 6 hrs. total on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; theatrical trailers.
Flat Top [DVD](1952) DVD
Set in 1944, this expert WWII saga stars Sterling Hayden as the tough commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Princeton. His no-nonsense style comes into conflict with new air group commander Richard Carlson. Featuring actual combat footage, the film also stars John Bromfield and William Phipps. 85 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Ring Of Fear [DVD](1954) DVD
Renowned circus mogul and animal trainer Clyde Beatty stars as himself in this offbeat whodunit. Believing a series of seemingly accidental deaths are actually the work of a saboteur, Beatty recruits famed mystery novelist Mickey Spillane (also starring as himself) to help nab the culprit. With Pat O'Brien, Sean McClory, Marian Carr; co-directed by an uncredited William Wellman. 93 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital Surround, Dolby Digital stereo Surround; Subtitles: English.
John Wayne's Suspense Collection: Presented By Batjac Productions [DVD] DVD
Four-disc set includes "Man in the Vault," "Plunder of the Sun," "Ring of Fear," and "Track of the Cat."
Creature From The Black Lagoon: The Legacy Collection [DVD] DVD
This two-disc set collecting the cinematic adventures of everybody's favorite scary--and scaly--monster opens with "Creature from the Black Lagoon" (1954), in which a team of scientists in the Amazon is hunted by a water-breathing, half-human gillman. Richard Carlson, Julia Adams star. Not in 3-D. Next, it's the "Revenge of the Creature" (1955), as he torments tourists at a Florida aquarium. John Agar, Lori Nelson star. Then, "The Creature Walks Among Us" (1956) after scientists mutate the beastie so that he can live on land--and terrorize San Francisco. Jeff Morrow, Rex Reason star. 4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; audio commentary; documentary; photo gallery; theatrical trailer.
The Big Bluff [VHS](1955) VHS
A well-off widow wings westward to partake of the healthy climate...but the greasy gigolo hunting for her hand in marriage has a dangerous disinterest in her well being! Shattering suspenser stars John Bromfield, Martha Vickers, Robert Hutton. 70 min.
The Lon Chaney Collection [DVD] DVD
First, a treasure hunter kills his partner after they find pirate loot, in "Manfish" (1956). Lon Chaney, Jr. stars with Victor Jory and John Bromfield. Next, Lon plays an aging Greek immigrant seeking a college education, in "The Golden Junkman," a 1956 episode of the "Telephone Time" program. Then, a small-town sheriff (Chaney) investigates a case of infidelity and murder, in "The Case of Joe Slade," a 1960 episode of "Lock-Up." Finally, silent but deadly Lon is "The Indestructible Man" (1956), a re-animated criminal seeking revenge on the cohorts who sent him to the chair. Max Showalter and Marian Carr also star. 4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; featurette; photo gallery.
Manfish [VHS](1956) VHS
A greedy treasure hunter kills and submerges his partner after they find pirate loot in the Caribbean. Picturesque suspenser, based on Poe's "Gold Bug" and "Tell-Tale Heart," stars Victor Jory, Lon Chaney, Jr. 78 min.
out-of-print john bromfield films available from amazon.com
filmography
FILM
Crime Against Joe (1956) with Julie London, Patricia Blair, Joel Ashley, Rhodes Reason, and Joyce Jameson
Curucu, Beast of the Amazon (1956) with Beverly Garland
Hot Cars (1956) with Joi Lansing, Mark Dana, and Dabbs Greer
Manfish (1956) with Victor Jory, Barbara Nichols, and Lon Chaney Jr.
Frontier Scout (1956) with Peggie Castle, Tony Martin, John Smith, Ron Randell, John Doucette, Morris Ankrum, and Peter Mamakos
Three Bad Sisters (1956) with Marla English, Kathleen Hughes, and Brett Halsey
Frontier Gambler (1956) with Coleen Gray, Kent Taylor, Jim Davis, Veda Ann Borg, and Tracey Roberts
The Big Bluff (1955) with Martha Vickers, Robert Hutton, and Rosemarie Stack
Revenge of the Creature (1955) with John Agar and Lori Nelson; once featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000
The Black Dakotas (1954) with Gary Merrill, Wanda Hendrix, Noah Beery Jr., Jay Silverheels, and Clayton Moore
Ring of Fear (1954) with Mickey Spillane, Clyde Beatty, Pat O'Brien, Sean McClory, Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, and Kenneth Tobey
Easy to Love (1953) with Esther Williams, Van Johnson, Tony Martin, King Donovan, and Carroll Baker
Flat Top (1952) with Sterling Hayden, Richard Carlson, Keith Larsen, William Schallert, and Phyllis Coates
Hold That Line (1952) with Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, and Veda Ann Borg
The Cimarron Kid (1951) with Audie Murphy, Hugh O'Brian, Beverly Tyler, James Best, Yvette Duguay, John Hudson, Leif Erickson, Noah Beery Jr., Gregg Palmer, William Reynolds, and Roy Roberts
The Furies (1950) with Barbara Stanwyck, Gilbert Roland, Wendell Corey, Walter Huston, Judith Anderson, Beulah Bondi, and Albert Dekker
Paid in Full (1950) with Robert Cummings, Lizabeth Scott, Diana Lynn, Eve Arden, Ray Collins, Kasey Rogers, Carol Channing, Margaret Field, Carole Mathews, and Dewey Robinson
Rope of Sand (1949) with Burt Lancaster, Peter Lorre, Corinne Calvet, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Sam Jaffe, Mike Mazurki, and Hayden Rorke
Harpoon (1948) with James Cardwell
Sorry, Wrong Number (1948) with Barbara Stanwyck, Burt Lancaster, Ann Richards, Wendell Corey, Ed Begley, Leif Erickson, and William Conrad
TELEVISION SERIES
Sheriff of Cochise, aka U.S. Marshal, 1956-1960 syndicated TV series produced by Desilu. Bromfield portrayed U.S. Marshal Frank Morgan. The half-hour show's title was changed to U.S. Marshal during its last two seasons (1958-1960). More than 115 episodes of the series were produced between 1956 and 1960
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