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Keith Andes
1920-2005
Updated 3/9/2007.
biography
Born John Andes in July 1920 in Ocean City, New Jersey, character actor Keith Andes was a graduate of Temple University. With the U.S. entry into World War II, Andes joined the Air Force where he did duty in wartime stage productions. Following the war, Andes headed for the stage, where he often starred in musicals. He soon found success on Broadway and off, touring in The Chocolate Soldier with Billy Gilbert in 1947 and 1948, for which Andes was given the 1947 Theatre World Award. Between plays, he made occasional film appearances in The Farmer's Daughter (1947; with Loretta Young) and Project X (1949; with Jack Lord). In 1949, Andes took over the role of Fred Graham (originated by Alfred Drake) in the Broadway production of Kiss Me, Kate, running through mid 1950. In the early 1950s, he signed with RKO for several pictures, beginning with the film noir Clash By Night (1952; with Barbara Stanwyck and Marilyn Monroe). In 1954, he left RKO for greener pastures at Universal-International. Although Andes had spent years in musical theater, he was cast in just a few musical films, including The Second Greatest Sex (1955; with George Nader and Mamie Van Doren) and the 1957 Jane Powell vehicle The Girl Most Likely.
Mid 1950s Universal-International photo of Keith Andes
With Universal-International's dismissal of nearly all contract players in the late 1950s, Andes' film career began to slide. After starring in the short-lived syndicated detective series This Man Dawson during the 1959-1960 season, Andes returned to Broadway, starring in the musical Wildcat with Lucille Ball from late 1960 to mid 1961. At about the same time, following a divorce from his first wife, Andes married fellow Broadway performer Shelah Hackett. Throughout the 1960s Andes worked in stage productions and television. He starred in the series Glynis (1963-1964) and Paradise Bay (1965-1966) and in addition made numerous guest appearances on such television series as Perry Mason, The Outer Limits, Star Trek, and I Spy.
the films of keith andes
Clash By Night (1952)
With Marilyn Monroe in RKO's noir thriller Clash By Night
Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952)
As Edward Maynard in the RKO adventure Blackbeard, the Pirate
The Second Greatest Sex (1955)
As Reverend Maxwell in Universal's musical The Second Greatest Sex
Away All Boats (1956)
Pillars of the Sky (1956)
From the Universal western Pillars of the Sky. LEFT: With Jeff Chandler and Dorothy Malone. RIGHT: With Jeff Chandler
The Girl Most Likely (1957)
LEFT: Promotional photo from the musical comedy The Girl Most Likely. This film was released by Universal-International and was produced by RKO. RIGHT: With Kelly Brown, Kaye Ballard, Frank Cady, Tommy Noonan, Judy Nugent, Una Merkel, Jane Powell, and Cliff Robertson
Damn Citizen (1958)
Promotional photo from Universal's noir Damn Citizen. This film's plot--a chief of police charged with ridding his department of corruption--was the inspiration for Andes' 1959 TV series This Man Dawson
This Man Dawson (1958)
Promotional materials for Andes' 1959 syndicated series This Man Dawson
later years
In the 1970s Andes returned to films, acting in the low-budget Al Adamson biker flick Hell's Bloody Devils (1970; with Scott Brady) and the big budget Al Pacino drama ...And Justice for All (1979). Andes retired from acting in the early 1980s. After a bout with cancer and other ailments, Andes passed away on November 11, 2005, at the age of 85.
Keith Andes' son Mark Andes has enjoyed a career in music as a bass player for the bands Spirit, Canned Heat, Jo Jo Gunne, Firefall, Heart, and others from the 1960s through the 1990s.
Clash By Night [DVD](1952) DVD
Fine melodrama from director Fritz Lang stars Barbara Stanwyck as an unhappy woman who returns to her coastal California hometown and marries local fisherman Paul Douglas, only to find herself attracted to his best friend, sullen Robert Ryan. Their affair leads to trouble in this adaptation of a Clifford Odets play; with Marilyn Monroe, Keith Andes. 105 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; audio commentary; interview; theatrical trailer.
Clash By Night [VHS](1952) VHS
Fine melodrama from director Fritz Lang stars Barbara Stanwyck as an unhappy woman who returns to her coastal California hometown and marries local fisherman Paul Douglas, only to find herself attracted to his best friend, sullen Robert Ryan. Their affair leads to trouble in this adaptation of a Clifford Odets play; with Marilyn Monroe, Keith Andes. 105 min. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
Life At Stake [VHS](1955) VHS
In this atmospheric drama, a builder is hired to construct a house for a pretty blonde woman and her husband, who's putting out the cash in the deal. The builder doesn't trust the husband, especially after he's asked to take out an insurance policy while he works. Angela Lansbury, Keith Andes and Douglas Dumbrille star in this noirish tale. 78 min.
Star Trek: The Complete Original Series [DVD] DVD
Special collection includes the boxed sets of seasons one through three of the original "Star Trek."
Tora! Tora! Tora! [DVD](1970) DVD
Epic U.S.-Japanese co-production details, from both sides, the events surrounding the bombing of Pearl Harbor that led to America's entry into World War II. Martin Balsam, Jason Robards, Jr., Soh Yamamura, E.G. Marshall and James Whitmore lead the cast. Featuring impressive battle sequences, the film was once to be co-directed by Akira Kurosawa. 145 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 4.1, Dolby Digital Surround, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; documentary; theatrical trailer.
Tora! Tora! Tora! [VHS](1970) VHS
Epic U.S.-Japanese co-production details, from both sides, the events surrounding the bombing of Pearl Harbor that led to America's entry into World War II. Martin Balsam, Jason Robards, Jr., Soh Yamamura, E.G. Marshall and James Whitmore lead the cast. Featuring impressive battle sequences, the film was once to be co-directed by Akira Kurosawa. Special video version includes a 20-minute documentary. 144 min.
...and justice for all. [DVD](1979) DVD
Criminals go free, justice proves to be not-so blind, and lawyers and judges make deals...except for one young idealistic lawyer (Al Pacino) who bucks the system while representing a ruthless judge (John Forsythe) accused of a brutal rape. Co-stars Christine Lahti, Jack Warden and Lee Strasberg; directed by Norman Jewison, and written by Barry Levinson and Valerie Curtin. 117 min. Widescreen (Enhanced) and Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai; audio commentary by Jewison; theatrical trailer; scene access.
keith andes films available from amazon.com
filmography
FILM
Blinded by the Light (1980) with Jimmy McNichol, Kristy McNichol, and Grace Zabriskie
...And Justice for All (1979) with Al Pacino, Jack Warden, John Forsythe, and Lee Strasberg
The Ultimate Impostor (1979) with Erin Gray and John Van Dreelen
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) with Martin Balsam, Joseph Cotten, E.G. Marshall, James Whitmore, Jason Robards, Wesley Addy, and Frank Aletter
Hell's Bloody Devils (1970) with Broderick Crawford, Scott Brady, Kent Taylor, Robert Dix, John Carradine, Jack Starrett, and Vicki Volante
Surrender - Hell! (1959) with Susan Cabot
Model for Murder (1958) with Hazel Court
Damn Citizen (1958) with Maggie Hayes, Lynn Bari, Edward Platt, and Ann Robinson
The Girl Most Likely (1957) with Cliff Robertson, Jane Powell, Kaye Ballard, Tommy Noonan, and Una Merkel
Interlude (1957) with June Allyson, Rossano Brazzi, Frances Bergen, and Jane Wyatt
Pillars of the Sky (1956) with Jeff Chandler, Dorothy Malone, Ward Bond, Lee Marvin, and Sydney Chaplin
Back from Eternity (1956) with Robert Ryan, Anita Ekberg, Rod Steiger, Phyllis Kirk, Gene Barry, Fred Clark, Jesse White, and Adele Mara
Away All Boats (1956) with Jeff Chandler, George Nader, Lex Barker, Julie Adams, Jock Mahoney, and William Reynolds
The Great Waltz (1955) with Bert Lahr
The Second Greatest Sex (1955) with George Nader, Mamie Van Doren, Jeanne Crain, Bert Lahr, and Kitty Kallen
A Life at Stake (1954) with Angela Lansbury, Claudia Barrett, and Jane Darwell
Split Second (1953) with Stephen McNally, Jan Sterling, Alexis Smith, and Richard Egan
Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952) with Linda Darnell, Robert Newton, Richard Egan, William Bendix, Irene Ryan, and Alan Mowbray
Clash by Night (1952) with Marilyn Monroe, Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, Robert Ryan, and J. Carrol Naish
Project X (1949) with Jack Lord
The Farmer's Daughter (1947) with Loretta Young, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore, and Lex Barker
Winged Victory (1944) with Jeanne Crain, Lee J. Cobb, Lon McCallister, Judy Holliday, Peter Lind Hayes, and George Reeves
TELEVISION SERIES
Search, 1972-1973 NBC TV series. Andes portrayed Dr. Barnett. Also in the cast were Hugh O'Brian, Doug McClure, and Anthony Franciosa
Birdman and the Galaxy Trio, 1967-1969 NBC TV animated series. Andes voiced the Birdman character. Also lending his vocal talents was Ted Cassidy
Paradise Bay, 1965-1966 NBC TV series. Andes portrayed Jeff Morgan. Also in the series were Marion Ross and Dennis Cole
Glynis, 1963 CBS TV series. Andes portrayed Keith Granville. Also in the series was Glynis Johns
This Man Dawson, 1959-1960 syndicated TV series. Andes had the title role in this 30-minute detective series
links
The Official Mark Andes Web Site
Look for photos, biographical information, a discography, and more.
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This page premiered October 16, 2003.
