Kane Richmond (1906-1973)

biography

Born Fred Bowditch in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on December 23, 1906, actor Kane Richmond spent his childhood in Minneapolis before attending the University of Minnesota and St. Thomas College. Afterward, he secured a job as a states rights film distributor in the upper midwest, a lucrative job for a young man in the 1920s. He was so successful at booking films that Columbia, then a poverty-row studio, hired him in 1929 to distribute films in Southern California. He also did a bit of extra work for various studios in such films as the early musical Song of Love (1929; with Eve Arden) and Their Own Desire (1929; with Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery). In early 1930, Universal tested the athletic Richmond for its Leather Pusher series of boxing shorts, and to his surprise Richmond was cast in the lead role for all ten shorts shot in 1930 and 1931.
Despite his starring role in The Leather Pushers, Richmond toiled for the next two years in supporting roles and in small uncredited roles made by a wide variety of studios, including MGM, Columbia, Fox, and the poverty row studios. Richmond met actress Marion Burns on the set of the adventure The Devil Tiger (1934), and the couple married in 1934. The following year, Richmond landed breakthrough roles in the independent serial The Lost Jungle (1935; with William 'Stage' Boyd and Claudia Dell) and Mascot's The Adventures of Rex and Rinty (1935; with Mischa Auer). However, Richmond still often remained uncredited in bigger productions and soon found himself relegated to starring roles in quickly produced second features and such serials as Spy Smasher (1942; with Marguerite Chapman), Haunted Harbor (1944; with Kay Aldridge), Jungle Raiders (1945; with Veda Ann Borg), and Brenda Starr, Reporter (1945; with Joan Woodbury).

the films of kane richmond

The Leather Pushers (1930)

The Lost City (1935)

The Escape (1939)

Winner Take All (1939)

Return of the Cisco Kid (1939)

Double Cross (1941)

Play Girl (1941)

Spy Smasher (1942)

Passkey to Danger (1946)

later years

Following the end of World War II, Kane Richmond's film career was in trouble. He tried to make a go of Monogram's The Shadow series, making three films in 1946. At this time, Richmond was 40 years old and realized that stardom and better productions were not in the cards for him. In 1948, he acted in his final film, Stage Struck (1948; with Ralph Byrd and Wanda McKay) and then ended his career. He went into the fashion business and made much more money than he ever had as an actor. Sadly, Kane Richmond passed away on March 22, 1973, at the age of 66. He was survived by wife Marion Burns (1907-1993) and their two children.

kane richmond films available from movies unlimited

Politics [DVD](1931) DVD
After her daughter gets involved with a young mobster who has been framed for murder, a woman decides to run for mayor in order to initiate change within her town. When she encourages women to stop taking care of their husbands if they don't vote for her, the clever campaign strategy gets her elected. Marie Dressler, Polly Moran, Roscoe Ates. 73 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Cavalier Of The West [DVD](1931) DVD
Harry Carey stars in this early talkie oater that boasts desperados and Injuns singin' and shootin', a frame-up for murder, and the most action east of the Pecos! Carmen LaRoux, Kane Richmond, Christina Monti co-star. Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Cavalier Of The West (1931)/Ghost Town [DVD](1936) DVD
Harry Carey stars in the early talkie oater "Cavalier of the West," which boasts desperados and Injuns singin' and shootin', a frame-up for murder, and the most action east of the Pecos! Carmen LaRoux, Kane Richmond co-star. Then, there's range-riding adventure by the saddleful in "Ghost Town," as Harry Carey fights to reclaim his old friend's stake in an abandoned town with a fabulous mine below. With Dave Sharpe.
Huddle [DVD](1932) DVD
Ramon Novarro stars in this tale about football, love, social class prejudice, and racism. Novarro is a working-class Italian at the local steel mill in Gary, Indiana, who earns a football scholarship to Yale. However, he soon finds himself at odds with many of the Ivy League's elite, especially when he falls for Kane Richmond's sister. Will Novarro be able to overcome multiple challenges to achieve success on the gridiron? Madge Evans co-stars. 104 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
I Can't Escape [DVD](1934) DVD
A criminal finds civilian life is not as peachy as it seemed from behind bars...especially since he can't get a job with his past record. But when he gets involved with-and exposes-a phony stock scheme, his life takes an unexpected turn. Onslow Stevens, Lila Lee, Charles King star. 57 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
The Adventures Of Rex And Rinty [DVD](1935) DVD
Rex, the wonder horse, and the son of Rin Tin Tin hit the open road together in this exciting Mascot serial that follows their exploits from America to a savage South Seas island. Human stars include Kane Richmond, Smiley Burnette, Harry Woods; 12 doggone thrilling episodes. 3 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
The Silent Code (1935)/Man's Best Friend [DVD](1935) DVD
First, the Poverty Row classic "The Silent Code" stars Kane Richmond as a Royal Canadian Mountie who is framed for the murder of his brother-in-law by a greedy outpost owner. Can he clear his name and bring the bad guy to justice? With Blanche Mehaffey, J.P. McGowan. Then, in "Man's Best Friend," a courageous canine comes to the rescue of a pioneer boy who is being threatened by his cruel father. Lightning the Wonder Dog, Douglas Haig, Frank Brownlee star. 103 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
The Lost City [DVD](1935) DVD
One of the most thrilling and fondly remembered of movie serials, with William "Stage" Boyd as the tyrannical ruler of a super-advanced city inside a mountain in the African jungle. Can troubleshooting engineer Kane Richmond stop his dreams of world conquest? With Gabby Hayes, Claudia Dell. AKA: "The Lost City of the Ligurians." 12 chapters; 4 1/3 hrs. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; biographies; poster gallery; trailers.
Born To Fight [DVD](1936) DVD
A boxing trainer on the run from a crooked promoter he injured finds an up-and-coming fighter whom he manages to a title bout in this drama starring Kane Richmond, Frankie Darro, and Jack LaRue. 64 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Racing Blood [DVD](1936) DVD
A young man in love with horseracing ignores his medical career and buys a colt-for less than five bucks! He puts tremendous time and energy into training the horse, but runs into trouble when he tries to help his jockey brother who has gotten mixed up with some racketeers. Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, Gladys Blake star. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
The Lure Of Hollywood [DVD](1936) DVD
The perils of stardom are explored in this vintage melodrama starring Marian Nixon as a blue-collar woman who dreams of success in Hollywood. After making her way up the studio ladder, she deals with her unhappy personal life as she copes with fame and fortune. Kane Richmond, Inez Courtney, Malcolm MacGregor co-star. AKA: "The Reckless Way." 59 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Anything For A Thrill (1937)/Men Of Action (Born To Fight) [DVD](1935) DVD
First, in "Anything for a Thrill," a young brother-and-sister team of would-be newsreel photographers saves a cameraman's job by getting the scoop on a picture-shy heiress, then louse up a plot by thieves to steal some of her millions. Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, June Johnson. Then, in "Men of Action," Darro is the orphan son of a dam worker who was killed during an act of sabotage. Determined to get revenge against the bad guy's responsible for his pop's death, he enlists the help of the dam builders to bring them to justice. With LeRoy Mason, Barbara Worth, Fred Kohler. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Young Dynamite [DVD](1937) DVD
After a state trooper is killed on his first day on the job, his brother joins forces with his sister's fiance to find the murderers. The pair uses the promise of gold to lure the killers to a boardinghouse, where the revealing of the crooks' leader is a real surprise. Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, Charlotte Henry, and David Sharpe also star. 47 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Tough To Handle [DVD](1937) DVD
A newsboy uncovers a lottery scam run by a shifty local bar owner after gangsters murder his grandfather for his winning ticket. Now the boy must team up with an adventurous reporter to bring the racket down and save his sister, a singer who works for the crooks. Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, Phyllis Fraser, Jack Ingram star. 58 min.
Devil Diamond [DVD](1937) DVD
Two amateur sleuths discover that their lives are in trouble when they attempt to track down a gang of jewel thieves. Kane Richmond, Frankie Darro star. 62 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Double Cross (Motorcycle Squad) [DVD](1937) DVD
Exciting "B" film concerning a police officer who is dishonorably discharged so he can get inside info on a gang of crooks and bring them to justice. Kane Richmond, Wynne Gibson star. 66 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
With Love And Kisses [DVD](1937) DVD
Rip-roaring comedy with music about "Spec" Higgins, a country songwriter who can only compose tunes in the presence of his cow. When a New York radio crooner takes credit for one of his songs, Spec travels to the big city to make things right-resulting in plenty of zany fun. Pinky Tomlin, Toby Wing, Kane Richmond star; songs include "The Trouble with Me Is You," "Sweet," "With Love and Kisses," and more. 67 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Mars Attacks The World [DVD](1938) DVD
In this feature-length adventure culled from episodes of the "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars" serial, Flash and his allies are the only ones who can thwart Ming the Merciless' evil plot to blow the Earth to smithereens. Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, Charles Middleton star. 68 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Murder Over New York (1940)/Charlie Chan At The Wax Museum [DVD](1940) DVD
While in New York to attend a police convention, Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) and son Jimmy (Victor Sen Yung) uncover a sabotage ring wreaking havoc in the airline industry. The intriguing Chan mystery "Murder Over New York," with the final "locked room" denouement occurring several thousand feet in the sky, also stars Ricardo Cortez, Marjorie Weaver. Then, a doctor who uses his surgical skills to give crooks new faces provides Charlie (Sidney Toler) and #2 son Jimmy (Victor Sen Yung) with a tantalizing mystery amidst the waxworks. "Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum" co-stars C. Henry Gordon, Joan Valerie. 128 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; photo gallery; theatrical trailers.
Charlie Chan, Vol. 4 [DVD] DVD
Four Charlie Chan classics are included in this collection. First, in "Charlie Chan in Honolulu" (1938), the dynamite detective must deal with a variety of shady characters when a murder occurs aboard a freighter on its way to Hawaii. Sidney Toler, Phyllis Brooks, Victor Sen Young star. Next, a divorcee in Nevada is accused of killing a hotel guest, in "Charlie Chan in Reno" (1939), with Toler, Ricardo Cortez, Phyllis Brooks. Then, in "Charlie Chan at Treasure Island" (1939), the gumshoe heads to San Francisco to investigate what role a phony mystic played in the death of his friend. Toler, Victor Sen Young, Cesar Romero star. Lastly, in "Charlie Chan in City in Darkness" (1939), our hero travels to Paris to reunite with some WWI buddies and solve the murder of a munitions manufacturer. With Toler, Lynn Bari, Richard Clarke. 4 3/4 hrs. total on four discs. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary; featurettes; "making of" documentary; photo gallery; theatrical trailers.
Charlie Chan, Vol. 5 [DVD] DVD
First, in "Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum" (1940), a surgeon provides Charlie (Sidney Toler) and #2 son Jimmy (Victor Sen Yung) with a tantalizing mystery. With Henry Gordon. Chan uncovers a sabotage ring within the airline industry in "Murder Over New York" (1940). Stars Toler, Sen Yung. "Charlie Chan in Panama" (1940) finds our hero frantically attempting to stop an evil plot while posing as a government employee. Toler, Jean Rogers star. Then, in "Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise" (1940), the gumshoe solves killings while on a boat voyage from Honolulu to San Francisco. Stars Toler, Sen Yung, Robert Lowery. Next, in "Dead Men Tell" (1941), Chan races to figure out who caused an elderly woman's death. With Toler, Sheila Ryan. "Charlie Chan in Rio" (1941) has the detective helping the Brazilian police solve two baffling slayings. With Toler, Mary Beth Hughes. Lastly, Chan is summoned to a "Castle in the Desert" (1942) when a killing occurs. Toler, Sen Yung star. 7 1/2 hrs. total on four discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; featurette; photo gallery; theatrical trailers.
Great Guns [DVD](1941) DVD
When their hypochondriac boss is drafted into the army, servants Laurel and Hardy enlist so they can look after him at boot camp. The fellas' military mishaps make for much merriment in this comedy. Dick Nelson, Sheila Ryan co-star; look for a young Alan Ladd. 74 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; newsreel; photo gallery; theatrical trailer. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
The Laurel And Hardy Collection, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
When crooks try to steal a crackpot scientist's new bomb, he sets out to hire the best guards available. Unfortunately, "the best guards available" turn out to be Laurel and Hardy, in "The Big Noise" (1944), co-starring Doris Merrick and Little Bobby Blake. Then, when the pair joins the army, the enemy never had it so easy, as Stan and Ollie's mix-ups make for much merriment, in "Great Guns" (1941). Dick Nelson, Sheila Ryan co-star; look for a young Alan Ladd. And, the boys star as traveling musicians who get recruited to help a small-town girl get her money back from nefarious con men running a real-estate scam, in "Jitterbugs" (1943). With Vivian Blaine. 3 2/3 hrs. total on three discs. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; theatrical trailers; photo gallery; newsreel footage; documentary.
Hard Guy [DVD](1941) DVD
A slick nightclub owner marries off his showgirls to playboys, then makes cash by charging the young men's fathers fees for quick annulments. When one of the girls refuses to take part in the scam and is killed, her sister launches an investigation into the murder. Riveting suspense tale stars Jack LaRue, Mary Healy, Kane Richmond. AKA: "Professional Bride." 67 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Brenda Starr, Reporter [DVD](1945) DVD
The comics' feisty female newshound made her first film appearance in this exciting serial, as Brenda (Joan Woodbury) and her photographer sidekick, Chuck (Syd Saylor), uncover a mystery surrounding a dying gangster and the missing fortune from his last caper. With Kane Richmond. NOTICE: This rare serial is presented in the most complete version available. Picture and sound quality varies. 13 chapters; 4 hrs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.

kane richmond out of print vhs available

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kane richmond posters available

filmography

FILM
Stage Struck (1948) with Conrad Nagel, Ralph Byrd, Pamela Blake, Evelyn Brent, and Wanda McKay
Brick Bradford (1947) with Rick Vallin and Jack Ingram
Black Gold (1947) with Anthony Quinn, Katherine DeMille, Elyse Knox, Raymond Hatton, and Darryl Hickman
The Missing Lady (1946) with Barbara Read and George Chandler
Traffic in Crime (1946) with Anne Nage, Adele Mara, and Wilton Graff
Don't Gamble with Strangers (1946) with Bernadene Hayes, Peter Cookson, and Anthony Caruso
Behind the Mask (1946) with Barbara Read, George Chandler, Robert Shayne, and Joyce Compton
Passkey to Danger (1946) with Adele Mara and Gerald Mohr
The Return of the Shadow (1946) with Barbara Read
Black Market Babies (1945) with Ralph Morgan, Teala Loring, and Dewey Robinson
The Tiger Woman (1945) with Adele Mara
Jungle Raiders (1945) with Eddie Quillan, Veda Ann Borg, and Carol Hughes
Brenda Starr, Reporter (1945) with Joan Woodbury
Haunted Harbor (1944) with Kay Aldridge and Roy Barcroft
Roger Touhy, Gangster (1944) with Preston Foster, Victor McLaglen, Kent Taylor, Anthony Quinn, Harry Morgan, Reed Hadley, and John Archer
Bermuda Mystery (1944) with Preston Foster, Ann Rutherford, and Charles Butterworth
Ladies Courageous (1944) with Loretta Young, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Diana Barrymore, Anne Gwynne, Evelyn Ankers, Phillip Terry, David Bruce, Lois Collier, and June Vincent
Three Russian Girls (1943) with Anna Sten and Kent Smith
There's Something About a Soldier (1943) with Tom Neal, Evelyn Keyes, Bruce Bennett, Jeff Donnell, and Hugh Beaumont
For God and Country (1943) with Ronald Reagan, Hugh Marlowe, Richard Carlson, Richard Crane, and Doodles Weaver
Spy Smasher (1942) with Marguerite Chapman
A Gentleman at Heart (1942) with Cesar Romero, Carole Landis, Milton Berle, J. Carrol Naish, Jerome Cowan, Elisha Cook Jr., and Charles Lane
Hard Guy (1941) with Jack La Rue, Mary Healy, and Iris Adrian
Great Guns (1941) with Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Sheila Ryan, and Mae Marsh
Capt. Baker Riders of the Purple Sage (1941) with George Montgomery, Mary Howard, and Lynne Roberts
Mountain Moonlight (1941) with John Archer
Double Cross (1941) with Pauline Moore and Wynne Gibson
Play Girl (1941) with Kay Francis, James Ellison, Nigel Bruce, and Margaret Hamilton
Murder Over New York (1940) with Sidney Toler, Marjorie Weaver, Robert Lowery, Ricardo Cortez, and Melville Cooper
Knute Rockne All American (1940) with Pat O'Brien, Ronald Reagan, Donald Crisp, and John Litel
Charlie Chan in Panama (1940) with Sidney Toler, Lionel Atwill, Mary Nash, Victor Sen Yung, Chris-Pin Martin, and Jack La Rue
20,000 Men a Year (1939) with Randolph Scott, Preston Foster, Margaret Lindsay, Mary Healy, Jane Darwell, Max 'Slapsie Maxie' Rosenbloom, and Victor Sen Yung
The Escape (1939) with June Gale, Scotty Beckett, and Jack Carson
Chicken Wagon Family (1939) with Jane Withers, Leo Carrillo, Marjorie Weaver, and Spring Byington
Charlie Chan in Reno (1939) with Sidney Toler, Ricardo Cortez, Slim Summerville, Victor Sen Yung, and Pauline Moore
Return of the Cisco Kid (1939) with Warner Baxter, Lynn Bari, Cesar Romero, and Henry Hull
Winner Take All (1939) with Tony Martin, Gloria Stuart, and Slim Summerville
Tail Spin (1939) with Alice Faye, Constance Bennett, Nancy Kelly, Joan Davis, Charles Farrell, and Jane Wyman
Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars (1938) with Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, Charles Middleton, C. Montague Shaw, and Kenne Duncan
Young Dynamite (1937) with Frankie Darro
Anything for a Thrill (1937) with Frankie Darro
Tough to Handle (1937) with Frankie Darro and Phyllis Cerf
Headline Crasher (1937) with Frankie Darro
Nancy Steele Is Missing! (1937) with Victor McLaglen, Peter Lorre, John Carradine, and Jane Darwell
The Devil Diamond (1937) with Frankie Darro, June Gale, Byron Foulger, and Jack Ingram
With Love and Kisses (1936) with Toby Wing
Racing Blood (1936) with Frankie Darro and Gladys Blake
Born to Fight (1936) with Frankie Darro, Jack La Rue, and Sheila Bromley
Private Number (1936) with Robert Taylor, Loretta Young, Basil Rathbone, Patsy Kelly, Joe E. Lewis, and Jane Darwell
The Lure of Hollywood (1936) with Marian Nixon
Thunderbolt (1935)
Forced Landing (1935) with Sidney Blackmer, Toby Wing, and Barbara Pepper
The Silent Code (1935) with Blanche Mehaffey
Confidential (1935) with Donald Cook, J. Carrol Naish, and Herbert Rawlinson
The Adventures of Rex and Rinty (1935) with Mischa Auer, Smiley Burnette, and Ralph Byrd
Circus Shadows (1935) with Dorothy Wilson
The Lost City (1935) with William 'Stage' Boyd, Claudia Dell, and George 'Gabby' Hayes
I Can't Escape (1934) with Lila Lee and Clara Kimball Young
The Crime of Helen Stanley (1934) with Ralph Bellamy ,Shirley Grey, Gail Patrick, and Ward Bond
Voice in the Night (1934) with Tim McCoy and Ward Bond
The Devil Tiger (1934) with Marion Burns
Huddle (1932) with Ramon Novarro, Madge Evans, and Una Merkel
Torchy Passes the Buck (1931) with Dorothy Dix and Franklin Pangborn
Cavalier of the West (1931) with Harry Carey, Carlotta Monti, and George 'Gabby' Hayes
Politics (1931) with Marie Dressler, Polly Moran, and Roscoe Ates
Stepping Out (1931) with Charlotte Greenwood and Reginald Denny
Open House (1931)
The Champion (1931) with Sally Blane
Kane Meets Abel (1931) with Sally Blane
The Lady Killer (1931) with Sally Blane
Framed! (1931) with Sally Blane
All for a Lady (1930) with Sally Blane
The Mardi Gras (1930) with Sally Blane
The Comeback (1930) with Sally Blane
The Knockout (1930) with Sally Blane
Hammer and Tongs (1930) with Sally Blane
Kid Roberts (1930) with Sally Blane
The Leather Pushers (1930) with Sally Blane

kane richmond film now showing

Watch Kane Richmond's 1946 thriller The Return of the Shadow