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Jon Hall
1915-1979
Updated 5/2/2008 with more films and TV episodes available on DVD.
biography
Born Charles Locher in Fresno, California, in 1915 (some sources indicate 1913 as his date of birth), matinee idol Jon Hall used his real name in his early film appearances, but with the production of his first important film The Hurricane (1937; with Dorothy Lamour), he changed it to Jon Hall. The year following the release of this film, Hall married popular radio singer Frances Langford. In the early 1940s, Hall's career took off at Universal; he starred alongside Maria Montez in six Technicolor fantasies, including Arabian Nights (1942; Universal's first three-color Technicolor production), White Savage (1943), and Cobra Woman (1944). Wildly popular with war-weary audiences, the press dubbed Hall and Maria Montez the King and Queen of Technicolor.
LEFT and CENTER A: Beefcake photos of Jon Hall. CENTER B: With first wife Frances Langford at Ciros in 1954. RIGHT: Being interviewed by William Lundigan during a film premiere in the 1940s
Unfortunately, much like old Technicolor stock, after the end of World War II Hall's career began to fade, along with that of Maria Montez; similar fates were suffered by many other wartime stars. Nonetheless, he continued to work, mostly in westerns and jungle adventure films. From 1952 to 1954, he starred in the syndicated TV series Ramar of the Jungle, which proved very popular with children. In addition to owning the show, Hall also profited from prolific merchandising. Several Ramar films followed, which were merely spliced episodes of the series. After the show ended, Hall concentrated on business interests rather than acting.
the films of jon hall
The Hurricane (1937)
With Dorothy Lamour in The Hurricane, perhaps Hall's best film
Kit Carson (1940)
From the United Artists western Kit Carson with Dana Andrews and Lynn Bari
Arabian Nights (1942)
With frequent co-star Maria Montez in Arabian Nights, the first of their six films together
White Savage (1943)
Again with Maria Montez in White Savage
Cobra Woman (1944)
With Mary Nash in Cobra Woman
Lady in the Dark (1944)
From the Paramount comedy Lady in the Dark
The Mutineers (1949)
Zamba (1949)
With George Cooper in Zamba
On the Isle of Samoa (1950)
From the adventure flick On the Isle of Samoa. LEFT: With Susan Cabot. RIGHT: With Susan Cabot and Raymond Greenleaf
Hurricane Island (1951)
Last Train from Bombay (1952)
From the Columbia adventure Last Train from Bombay
Hell Ship Mutiny (1957)
From Hall's underwater adventure Hell Ship Mutiny. Production of this film benefitted from the use of Hall's underwater cameras, which he often leased to studios
The Beach Girls and the Monster (1965)
From Hall's last film, The Beach Girls and the Monster
later years
Hall's marriage to singer Frances Langford ended in 1955 after 17 years of marriage, yet they parted friends. After the cancellation of his TV series Ramar of the Jungle, Hall put his film career on the back burner, focusing instead on his photographic equipment business that specialized in underwater cameras. His venture was very successful, renting the equipment to film studios and occasionally supervising underwater sequences. Hall considered matrimony with starlet Carol Brewster in the late 1950s, but in 1959, he married beautiful Mexican actress Raquel Torres. The couple later divorced, and Hall married his third wife in 1969. In 1964, he began production on his final film, The Beach Girls and the Monster, a film in which he acted and also is credited with directing. By the late 1970s, Hall was suffering from bladder cancer; to end his pain, he took his own life in December 1979 at the age of 64. He was survived by his wife and a sister.
Ramar Of The Jungle, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
Includes "Dark Venture," "Voice of the Past," "King of the Watus" and "Lady of the Leopards." 95 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Ramar Of The Jungle, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
Includes "Mark of the Bola," "Idol Voodoo," "Curse of the Devil Doll," and "Savage Challenge." 104 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; Plays All Regions.
Ramar Of The Jungle, Vol. 3 [DVD] DVD
Includes "The Mark of Shaitan," "The Hidden Treasure," "The Bride of the Idol," and "The Crocodile God of Kaa." 108 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Ramar Of The Jungle, Vol. 4 [DVD] DVD
Includes "The Tiger's Claw," "The Devil Soul," "Urn of Destiny," and "The Forbidden Village." 106 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Ramar Of The Jungle, Vol. 5 [DVD] DVD
Includes "Zombie Terror," "White Man's Magic," "The Golden Tablet," and "The Flaming Mountain." 105 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Ramar Of The Jungle, Vol. 6 [DVD] DVD
Includes "Drums of the Jungle," "Danger in Disguise," "White Savages," and "Trail to Danger." 105 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Ramar Of The Jungle, Vol. 7 [DVD] DVD
Includes the series's premiere episode, "Evil Trek," along with "Contraband," "Jungle Terror," and "Striped Fury." 103 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Ramar Of The Jungle, Vol. 8 [DVD] DVD
Includes "The Blue Treasure," "The Sacred Monkey," "Tribal Feud," and "The Doomed Safari." 103 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Ramar Of The Jungle, Vol. 9 [DVD] DVD
Includes "The Voice in the Sky," "The Unknown Terror," "The Mystic Pawn," and "The Road of No Return." 105 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Ramar Of The Jungle, Vol. 10 [DVD] DVD
Includes "Call to Danger," "Blind Peril," "Drums of Doom," and "Evil Strangers." 103 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Ramar Of The Jungle, Vol. 11 [DVD] DVD
Includes "Jungle Treasure," "Thunder Over Sangoland," "Savage Fury," and "Dark Justice." 103 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Sky King/Ramar Of The Jungle [DVD] DVD
Two action heroes from TV's early days are featured in this two-disc boxed set. First, fly into adventure with Arizona rancher Kirby Grant as the Cessna-piloting "Sky King" in four episodes: "A Dog Named Barney," "Bullet Bait," "Sky Robbers," and "Wild Man." Next, Jon Hall stars as Dr. Tom Reynolds, whose practice was the heart of the African jungle, in 12 "Ramar" thrillers, including "Golden Tablet," "Drums of Doom," "White Man's Magic," "Voice of the Past," and "Mark of the Bola." 7 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
TV Classics (Six-DVD Set) [DVD] DVD
Six-disc set of television favorites includes "The Adventures of Fu Manchu, Vol. 1," "Dragnet, Vol. 1," "Flash Gordon, Vol. 1," "The Lone Ranger, Vol. 1," "Ramar of the Jungle, Vol. 1," and "Rocky Jones, Space Ranger: Crash of the Moons."
Perry Mason: 50th Anniversary Edition [DVD] DVD
Twelve of the series's best episodes--including "The Case of the Wary Wildcatter," "The Case of the Treacherous Toupee," "The Case of the Counterfeit Crank," "The Case of the Shoplifter's Shoe," and "The Case of the Final Fade-Out"--have been collected in this four-disc set. Also included is "Perry Mason Returns" (1985), the TV movie that finds the legal eagle (Raymond Burr), now a judge, stepping down from the bench to defend former secretary Della Street (Barbara Hale) when she's accused of murder. 12 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; featurette; interviews; photo gallery; TV spots; screen tests; more.
Charlie Chan, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
Hollywood's favorite Asian sleuth (Warner Oland) is on hand for this collection of perplexing mysteries. "Charlie Chan in London" (1934) finds Chan teaming up with a Scotland Yard detective (who insists on calling him "Mr. Chang") in order to solve a murder at an English estate. E.E. Clive, Ray Milland co-star. Chan tracks down a gang of counterfeiters operating in the maze of sewers beneath the City of Lights, in "Charlie Chan in Paris" (1935). With Keye Luke as #1 son, Lee. "Charlie Chan in Egypt" (1935) chronicles a case involving the murders of the supposedly cursed members of an archeological expedition. Rita Hayworth and Stepin Fetchit also star. While working for the Chinese government, Charlie is abducted by the opium ring he's investigating, in "Charlie Chan in Shanghai" (1935). Luke co-stars. Also includes "Eran Trece" (1931), a Spanish-language version of "Charlie Chan Carries On," with Manuel Arbo as Charlie. 6 1/4 hrs. total on four discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; featurettes; theatrical trailers.
The Clutching Hand [DVD](1936) DVD
Craig Kennedy, super detective, is out to get "the Clutching Hand," a fiend who has stolen a formula that will turn metal into gold. With Jack Mulhall. 15 chapters; 330 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
The Lion Man [DVD](1936) DVD
Raised in the jungle by a holy man after his father's caravan is slaughtered by an evil Arabian leader, a young man tries to avenge the death by protecting other caravans which may meet a similar fate. Known as "El L'ion," he eventually falls in love with the daughter of a sheik whom he has rescued. Jon Hall (billed as Charles Loucher), Kathleen Burke star. 62 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Winds Of The Wasteland [DVD](1936) DVD
John Wayne and partner Lane Chandler leave villain Yakima Canutt in a trail of dust in a race by stagecoach to Sacramento to win a $25,000 government mail contract. The final entry in the first series of westerns the Duke made for RKO co-stars Phyllis Fraser, Douglas Cosgrove. 55 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Arabian Nights [DVD](1942) DVD
A dazzling spectacle, loosely based on the famous 19th-century fables, focusing on the battle between two brothers over their late father's throne. Evil brother Leif Erickson nearly kills sibling Jon Hall in a fight, but sultry dancing girl Maria Montez nurses the fallen brother back to health. With help from best friend Sabu, an aging Sinbad (Shemp Howard) and Aladdin (John Qualen), Hall sets out to regain his rightful position. 87 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; theatrical trailer.
The Invisible Man: The Legacy Collection [DVD] DVD
It's apparent that you'll love this two-disc set! First, Claude Rains lends a sinister presence to "The Invisible Man" (1933). With Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan. Next, "The Invisible Man Returns" (1940) in the guise of Vincent Price as he attempts to clear his name. Nan Grey, Cedric Hardwicke co-star. Then, scientist John Barrymore turns Virginia Bruce into "The Invisible Woman" (1941), featuring Shemp Howard; and the "Invisible Agent" (1942) tries to stop a Nazi plot. Jon Hall, Peter Lorre star. Finally, it's "The Invisible Man's Revenge" (1944) when fugitive Jon Hall terrorizes a rich couple. John Carradine, Leon Errol co-star. 6 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; audio commentary; documentary; photo gallery; theatrical trailer.
The Invisible Man's Revenge [VHS](1944) VHS
A criminal enlists the aid of a scientist to turn him invisible so he can terrorize a wealthy couple in the hopes of gaining their fortune and their daughter. Jon Hall, Evelyn Ankers, Alan Curtis and John Carradine star in this creepy Universal production. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
Eyes Of The Jungle [VHS](1953) VHS
In this "Ramar of the Jungle" feature, the healer/hero travels to India, where he's confronted by a holy man whose warnings of danger lead to the illness of Ramar's friend, Professor Howard. Cursed by the Mark of Shitan, Howard's future lies with a golden tablet and a woman's sacrifice. Jon Hall, Ray Montgomery star. 79 min.
Phantom Of The Jungle [VHS](1954) VHS
This feature comprised of three "Ramar of the Jungle" episodes tells of Ramar's attempts to help a woman find her archeologist father, who has disappeared in the jungle while searching for a mysterious tribe with links to the Egyptians. Jon Hall, Ray Montgomery and Ann Gwynn star. 76 min.
Ramar And The Jungle Voodoo [DVD](1964) DVD
Culled from the episodes "The Doomed Safari," "The Mask of Kreenah," "Danger in Disguise," and "Contraband," this feature-length "Ramar of the Jungle" adventure has Dr. Tom Reynolds and Professor Howard Ogden attempting to develop new medical treatments in the heart of Africa. Along the way, they try to keep peace with the natives as they are thrust into an unforgettable adventure. Jon Hall, Ray Montgomery star. 105 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
The Beach Girls And The Monster [DVD](1965) DVD
Sure, the title says it all, but you'll want to see this one anyway: for the seaweed-covered, pinhead creature messing up tan lines on the beaches, for a son telling his scientist father, ``there's more to life than test tubes and fish,'' and for a scorching Frank Sinatra, Jr. bongo score. Jon Hall stars. 70 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailer; photo gallery; more.
The Beast Box [DVD] DVD
Three-disc collector's set includes "Bride of the Gorilla," "Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla" and "The Beach Girls and the Monster."
The Beach Girls And The Monster [VHS](1965) VHS
Sure, the title says it all, but you'll want to see this one anyway: for the seaweed-covered, pinhead creature messing up tan lines on the beaches, for a son telling his scientist father, ``there's more to life than test tubes and fish,'' and for a scorching Frank Sinatra, Jr. bongo score. Jon Hall stars. 70 min.
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filmography
The Beach Girls and the Monster (1965) with Sue Casey and Walker Edmiston; Hall is credited as director
Forbidden Island (1959) with John Farrow and Jonathan Haze
Hell Ship Mutiny (1957) with John Carradine, Peter Lorre, and Peter Coe
Thunder Over Sangoland (1955) with Marjorie Lord and Myron Healey
Phantom of the Jungle (1955) with Anne Gwynne
Eyes of the Jungle (1953)
White Goddess (1953)
Last Train From Bombay (1952) with Donna Martell
Brave Warrior (1952) with Jay Silverheels and Michael Ansara
China Corsair (1951) with Ernest Borgnine
Hurricane Island (1951) with Marie Windsor and Lyle Talbot
When the Redskins Rode (1951) with Mary Castle
On the Isle of Samoa (1950) with Susan Cabot
Zamba (1949) with June Vincent, George O'Hanlon, Beau Bridges, and Ray 'Crash' Corrigan
Deputy Marshal (1949) with Frances Langford and Dick Foran
The Mutineers (1949) with Adele Jergens, George Reeves, and Lyle Talbot
The Prince of Thieves (1948) with Adele Jergens
Last of the Redmen (1947) with Buster Crabbe and Evelyn Ankers
The Vigilantes Return (1947) with Andy Devine
The Michigan Kid (1947) with Victor McLaglen and Andy Devine
Men in Her Diary (1945) with Louise Allbritton and Peggy Ryan
Sudan (1945) with Maria Montez, Turhan Bey, and Andy Devine
San Diego I Love You (1944) with Louise Allbritton
Gypsy Wildcat (1944) with Maria Montez and Peter Coe
The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944) with Evelyn Ankers, John Carradine, and Leon Errol
Cobra Woman (1944) with Maria Montez, Lon Chaney Jr., and Sabu
Lady in the Dark (1944) with Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944) with Maria Montez, Turhan Bey, and Andy Devine
White Savage (1943) with Maria Montez, Turhan Bey, and Sabu
The Tuttles of Tahiti (1942) with Charles Laughton
Arabian Nights (1942) with Maria Montez, Turhan Bey, and Sabu
Invisible Agent (1942) with Ilona Massey and Peter Lorre
Aloma of the South Seas (1941) with Dorothy Lamour
Eagle Squadron (1941) with Robert Stack and Evelyn Ankers
Kit Carson (1940) with Lynn Bari, Clayton Moore, and Dana Andrews
South of Pago Pago (1940) with Frances Farmer
Sailor's Lady (1940) with Joan Davis, Dana Andrews, and Buster Crabbe
The Hurricane (1937) with Dorothy Lamour, Mary Astor, and John Carradine
The Girl From Scotland Yard (1937)
The Lion Man (1936)
Mind Your Own Business (1936) with Lyle Talbot
Winds of the Wasteland (1936) with John Wayne, Lane Chandler, and Phyllis Cerf
The Clutching Hand (1936) with Jack Mulhall and Mae Busch
The Mysterious Avenger (1936) with Charles Starrett and Roy Rogers
Charlie Chan in Shanghai (1935) with Warner Oland and Irene Hervey
Women Must Dress (1935) with Minna Gombell and Arthur Lake
TELEVISION SERIES
Ramar of the Jungle, 1952-1954 syndicated TV series; a total of 52 episodes were produced. Hall portrayed Dr. Tom Reynolds, aka Ramar. Some episodes were spliced together and released as films
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This page premiered September 10, 2002.
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