This page is sponsored by:
Rory Calhoun
1922-1999
Updated 3/18/2008 with more photos and more films available on DVD.
biography
Born Francis Timothy McCown in Los Angeles in 1922, Rory Calhoun had a rough start in life. Calhoun's father died in 1923, and in the late 1930s, Rory Calhoun dropped out of high school. Falling into a bad crowd, he stole a car in 1940 and was arrested. After serving a three-year sentence, he cleaned up his act, taking menial jobs. He was spotted in 1944 by actress-turned agent Sue Carol (the wife and agent of Alan Ladd), and soon he was under contract to 20th Century Fox.
Early Hollywood photos
Billed as Frank McCown, he was given small roles for his first two years as an actor, and even appeared in The Bullfighters (1945), one of Laurel and Hardy's last films. Calhoun changed his name in 1947 and began working more as an actor in supporting roles. He married actress Lita Baron in 1948; the couple had three children before divorcing in 1970. In the late 1940s, he acted in his first two western films: Sand (1949; with Coleen Gray), released by 20th Century-Fox; and Massacre River (1949; with Guy Madison), released by Allied Artists. This began a string of western roles for Calhoun, and soon he was getting offers for bigger-budgeted films, such as How To Marry a Millionaire (1953; with Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe, and Lauren Bacall).
the films of rory calhoun
Massacre River (1949)
Studio shot with Guy Madison before the filming of Massacre River began
How To Marry a Millionaire (1953)
With Betty Grable in a promotional photo for the 20th Century Fox comedy How to Marry a Millionaire
Four Guns to the Border (1954)
With Colleen Miller in the Universal-International western Four Guns to the Border
River of No Return (1954)
With Marilyn Monroe in the 20th Century Fox adventure River of No Return
The Looters (1955)
Scenes from the Universal-International adventure The Looters. LEFT: Calhoun discovers a stash of $250,000. CENTER: Making time with Julie Adams. RIGHT: Calhoun gets tough with Emory Parnell
Ain't Misbehavin' (1955)
LEFT: Rory Calhoun looks as if he's just seen co-star Mamie Van Doren in this studio shot from the Universal-International musical Ain't Misbehavin'. RIGHT: With Barbara Britton
The Spoilers (1955)
From the Universal-International western The Spoilers. LEFT: Calhoun as Alexander McNamara. CENTER: Flirting with Anne Baxter. RIGHT: Slugging it out with Jeff Chandler
The Treasure of Pancho Villa (1955)
With Gilbert Roland in the RKO western The Treasure of Pancho Villa
In 1956, Calhoun formed Rorvic, his own production company. Rorvic produced three films, for which Calhoun served as producer and actor: Apache Territory (1958; with Barbara Bates), The Domino Kid (1957; with Andrew Duggan. Calhoun also wrote the screenplay), and The Hired Gun (1957; with Anne Francis and Vince Edwards).
The Big Caper (1957)
From the crime drama The Big Caper with Mary Costa
The Hired Gun (1957)
From the western The Hired Gun with Anne Francis
The Texan (1958-1960 CBS TV Series)
Desilu promotional photo from Calhoun's 1958-1960 western series The Texan, aired by CBS
Thunder in Carolina (1960)
Calhoun oogles sexy Connie Hines in a scene from the low-budget independent feature Thunder in Carolina. Hines is best known for her role as Carol Post on the 1961-1966 TV sitcom Mr. Ed
The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)
Whoa! What's a cowboy doing in a torch and toga epic? Calhoun is Dario in Sergio Leone's first directorial assignment The Colossus of Rhodes. This film sported one of the biggest budgets of any sword and sandal film
The Young and the Brave (1963)
With Richard Arlen, William Bendix, and Manuel Padilla Jr. in the MGM war drama The Young and the Brave
Young Fury (1965)
Lobby photo from the Paramount western Young Fury
Apache Uprising (1966)
With Corinne Calvet in the A.C.Lyles western Apache Uprising
later years
In the early 1960s, with good roles drying up, Rory Calhoun went to Europe and made a string of films, including The Colossus of Rhodes, Marco Polo, and Operation Delilah. In the late 1960s, when the bottom fell out of the European film market, Calhoun headed back to the U.S. but initially found few roles. He began working regularly again in the mid 1970s, after his divorce from his second wife; he once again enjoyed an active career, taking many roles on TV and doing some film work. His last film was the 1992 release Pure Country. After struggling with diabetes and emphysema, Rory Calhoun passed away in 1999 at the age of 76.
The Angel Collection [DVD] DVD
"High school honor student by day...Hollywood hooker by night" Angel is a heavenly delight in this action-packed three-disc set! First, teenage streetwalker Donna Wilkes' worlds collide when a homicidal maniac preys on L.A.'s demimonde in the original "Angel" (1984), co-starring Cliff Gorman, Rory Calhoun, and Dick Shawn as Mae. Betsy Russell takes over in "Avenging Angel" (1985), as law student Angel takes on the mobsters who killed the detective who got her off the streets; with Ossie Davis, Rory Calhoun. And in "Angel III: The Final Chapter" (1988), fashion photographer Angel (Mitzi Kapture) must save her sister from a white slavery ring; Richard Roundtree, Maud Adams also star. 285 min. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; deleted scenes; poster gallery; theatrical trailers.
The Red House [DVD](1947) DVD
A chilling tale of suspense with Edward G. Robinson as a handicapped farmer who lives a reclusive lifestyle with sister Judith Anderson and ward Allene Roberts. Robinson has given strict orders not to visit a mysterious red house located nearby, but when Roberts and farmhand Lon McCallister ignore his wishes, troubling secrets are revealed. Delmer Daves ("Jubal") directs. 100 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono. Plays All Regions.
The Red House [VHS](1947) VHS
A chilling tale of suspense with Edward G. Robinson as a handicapped farmer who lives a reclusive lifestyle with sister Judith Anderson and ward Allene Roberts. Robinson has given strict orders not to visit a mysterious red house located nearby, but when Roberts and farmhand Lon McCallister ignore his wishes, troubling secrets are revealed. Delmer Daves ("Jubal") directs. 100 min.
How To Marry A Millionaire [DVD](1953) DVD
Delicious comedy about three man-crazed models out for eligible (and wealthy) bachelors who rent a posh Manhattan apartment and pose as rich gals in order to get their guys. Marilyn Monroe is wooed by a playboy, but is snagged by tax-dodging crook David Wayne; Betty Grable hooks on to well-off Fred Clark, but falls for forest ranger Rory Calhoun; and Lauren Bacall attracts aging, affluent William Powell, but opts for the seemingly poor Cameron Mitchell--who turns out to be a millionaire! Based on 1933's "The Greeks Had a Word for Them." 95 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Surround and stereo, French; Subtitles: English, Spanish; Movietone newsreel; theatrical trailer; scene access.
Marilyn Monroe: The Diamond Collection, Vol. II [DVD] DVD
Five-disc set includes "Don't Bother to Knock," "Monkey Business," "Niagara," "River of No Return," and "Let's Make Love,"
River Of No Return [DVD](1954) DVD
Gripping Gold Rush saga stars Marilyn Monroe as a saloon singer searching for her runaway husband with the aid of widowed trailhand Robert Mitchum. Spectacular rafting action sequences are not to be missed. Rory Calhoun, Tommy Rettig co-star under Otto Preminger's direction. 91 min.
With A Song In My Heart [DVD](1952) DVD
Academy Award-winning biopic stars Susan Hayward as famed songstress Jane Froman. After landing a job at a Cincinnati radio station with the help of her mentor/lover, her career quickly takes off. But when Forman is severely injured in a plane crash while en route to perform for Allied troops during World War II, she is nursed back to health by a handsome pilot--resulting in professional and personal upheaval. With Rory Calhoun, David Wayne, Thelma Ritter. 117 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; featurettes; photo gallery; theatrica trailers.
The Colossus Of Rhodes [DVD](1961) DVD
Sergio Leone's first screen-credited directorial effort was this epic set in 290 A.D. that follows a Greek military hero as he travels to Rhodes to visit his uncle. While flirting with the beautiful daughter of a man who recently constructed a gigantic statue of Apollo to protect the city's harbor, he becomes involved in a rebellion aimed at overthrowing a tyrannical king. Rory Calhoun, Lea Massari, Georges Marchal star. 128 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French.
Cult Camp Classics, Vol. 4: Historical Epics [DVD] DVD
Three-disc set includes "The Prodigal" (1955), "Land of the Pharaohs" and "The Colossus of Rhodes."
A Face In The Rain [VHS](1963) VHS
American spy Rory Calhoun is being hidden in Nazi-occupied Italy by an underground contact. When he learns that the contact's wife is having an affair with a German officer, he seeks help from her son, who shelters him in an attic until the Nazis discover him. With Marina Berti, Niall McGinnis. 66 min.
Night Of The Lepus [DVD](1972) DVD
More horrifying than "Harvey"! This is the unforgettable sci-fi shocker in which an experiment to control the wild rabbit population in the Southwest results in the creation of gigantic, bloodthirsty bunnies who hop a path of destruction across an Arizona community. Includes the classic line "Ladies and gentlemen, attention! There is a herd of killer rabbits headed this way." Rory Calhoun, Janet Leigh, Stuart Whitman, DeForest Kelley star. 88 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
Police Woman: The Complete First Season [DVD](1974) DVD
All 23 episodes from the series's debut season--including "The End Game," "Anatomy of Two Rapes," "The Child Buyers," "No Place to Hide," and "The Loner"--are featured in a five-disc set. 18 1/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary by Dickinson.
The Father Kino Story [DVD](1977) DVD
An all-star cast brings to life the struggle between the Spanish conquistadors ruling California and the Indians they were killing off to conquer the land. Only one man, a simple Jesuit missionary, stands between the forces in this exciting clash of guns and wills. Richard Egan, Ricardo Montalban, Cesar Romero, Rory Calhoun, and Aldo Ray star. AKA: "Mission to Glory: A True Story," "Padre on Horseback: The Legendary Story of Father Kino," "Savage Hunter." 92 min. Soundtrack: English.
The Main Event [DVD](1979) DVD
Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal re-team in this screwball comedy about a bankrupt businesswoman whose sole remaining asset is the contract of a has-been boxer. Patti D'Arbanville, Paul Sand, Whitman Mayo co-star. 109 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
Smokey And The Judge [DVD](1980) DVD
In the Southern-fried, tire-squealing tradition of "Smokey and the Bandit" and "The Dukes of Hazzard" comes this rip-roarin' comedy about a sheriff who has his hands full trying to corral a trio of beautiful young lawbreakers. Gene Price, Cathy Carson, Darrow Igus, Gwen Owens, and Rory Calhoun star. 90 min. Soundtrack: English.
The Blue And The Gray(1982) DVD
The war that shattered the nation is brought to the screen in grandiose fashion with a stellar cast and magnificent battle sequences. Gregory Peck, Geraldine Page, Stacy Keach and Colleen Dewhurst head a cast of thousands in this Civil War drama from historian Bruce Catton's novel. Original, complete version; 378 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English mono, French; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Korean, Thai; scene access; interactive menus. Three-disc set.
Hell Comes To Frogtown [DVD](1987) DVD
And Hell is in the form of favorite wrestling bad guy Roddy Piper! In this sci-fi thriller he's travelling the ravaged countryside in search of fertile women to impregnate (thereby keeping humanity going), but the frog mutants who rule the wastes don't take kindly to his mission. Sandahl Bergman co-stars. 88 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English stereo; audio commentary; theatrical trailer; scene access.
Pure Country [DVD](1992) DVD
Grammy-winning country-western star George Strait makes his film debut as a successful singer who leaves the glitz of his concert career in order to get back to his roots. Much to his agent's dismay, he returns to his hometown, where he meets and falls for a feisty local woman. Lesley Ann Warren and Isabel Glasser also star. 113 min. Widescreen (Enhanced) and Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles; English, French, Spanish; scene access; production notes; filmographies; theatrical trailers.
Tales From The Crypt: The Complete Fifth Season [DVD](1993) DVD
All 13 episodes from season five--including "Death of Some Salesmen," "Food for Thought," "Two for the Show," "Came the Dawn," and "Till Death Do We Part"--are included in a three-disc set. 6 1/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital Surround stereo; Subtitles: French, Spanish; virtual comic book.
rory calhoun dvds and out-of-print vhs available from amazon.com
filmography
FILM
Pure Country (1992) with Lesley Ann Warren and George Strait
Bad Jim (1990) with James Brolin, Richard Roundtree, and Ty Hardin
Roller Blade Warriors: Taken by Force (1989) with Kathleen Kinmont and Abby Dalton
Hell Comes to Frogtown (1987) with William Smith and Roddy Piper
Avenging Angel (1985) with Susan Tyrrell, Tim Rossovich, and Ross Hagen
Half Nelson (1985) with Morgan Brittany, Dean Martin, and George Kennedy
Angel (1984) with Susan Tyrrell, Cliff Gorman, and Dick Shawn
Smokey and the Judge (1980) with Wayde Preston
Motel Hell (1980) with Nancy Parsons, Elaine Joyce, and Wolfman Jack
Flatbed Annie (1979) with Annie Potts and Kim Darby
The Main Event (1979) with Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal
The Rebels (1979) with Andrew Stevens, Don Johnson, Anne Francis, Doug McClure, Jim Backus, Richard Basehart, Joan Blondell, Macdonald Carey, and Peter Graves
Revenge of Bigfoot (1979)
Love and the Midnight Auto Supply (1978) with John Ireland and Rod Cameron
Mulefeathers (1977) with Nedra Volz
Mission to Glory (1977) with Richard Egan, John Ireland, Ricardo Montalban, Aldo Ray, and John Russell
Flight to Holocaust (1977) with Patrick Wayne
Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976)
Night of the Lepus (1972) with Stuart Whitman, Janet Leigh, and DeForest Kelley
Operation Cross Eagles (1969) with Richard Conte
The Emerald of Artatama (1969)
Dayton's Devils (1968) with Leslie Nielsen, Lainie Kazan, Eric Braeden, and Bruce Glover
Operation Delilah (1967) with Gia Scala
Our Men in Bagdad (1966) with Raf Baldassarre
Apache Uprising (1966) with Lon Chaney Jr., Corinne Calvet, John Russell, Richard Arlen, and Johnny Mack Brown
Young Fury (1965) with John Agar, Merry Anders, Lon Chaney Jr., Virginia Mayo, and Jody McCrea
Black Spurs (1965) with Linda Darnell, Scott Brady, and Lon Chaney Jr.
Blue Lightning (1965) with Silvia Solar
Face in the Rain (1963)
The Gun Hawk (1963) with Rod Cameron, Ruta Lee, and Jody Daniels
The Young and the Brave (1963) with John Agar, Richard Arlen, and William Bendix
Marco Polo (1961) with Lex Barker and Yoko Tani
The Treasure of Monte Cristo (1961) with Peter Arne
The Colossus of Rhodes (1961) with Georges Marchal
Thunder in Carolina (1960) with Connie Hines and Alan Hale Jr.
The Saga of Hemp Brown (1958) with Beverly Garland, Russell Johnson, and Yvette Vickers
Apache Territory (1958) with Barbara Bates, Carolyn Craig, and Myron Healey
The Big Caper (1957) with James Gregory
The Domino Kid (1957) with Andrew Duggan and Crash Corrigan
The Hired Gun (1957) with Anne Francis, Vince Edwards, and Chuck Connors
Utah Blaine (1957) with Max Baer
Ride Out for Revenge (1957) with Vince Edwards, Gloria Grahame, and Lloyd Bridges
Flight to Hong Kong (1956) with Barbara Rush, Werner Klemperer, Rhodes Reason, and Mel Welles
Red Sundown (1956) with Grant Williams and Martha Hyer
Raw Edge (1956) with Rex Reason, Yvonne De Carlo, Mara Corday, John Gavin, and Ed Fury
Ain't Misbehavin' (1955) with Mamie Van Doren, Piper Laurie, Jack Carson, and Barbara Britton
The Spoilers (1955) with Jeff Chandler, Ray Danton, Anne Baxter, and Barbara Britton
The Treasure of Pancho Villa (1955) with Gilbert Roland and Shelley Winters
The Looters (1955) with Julie Adams and Ray Danton
A Bullet Is Waiting (1954) with Jean Simmons
Four Guns to the Border (1954) with George Nader and Colleen Miller
River of No Return (1954) with Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum
The Yellow Tomahawk (1954) with Peggie Castle, Lee Van Cleef, and Peter Graves
Dawn at Socorro (1954) with Piper Laurie, Mara Corday, David Brian, and Lee Van Cleef
Powder River (1953) with Corinne Calvet, Cameron Mitchell, and Carl Betz
The Silver Whip (1953) with Dale Robertson and Robert Wagner
How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) with Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, Lauren Bacall, William Powell, Alexander D'Arcy, and Cameron Mitchell
Way of a Gaucho (1952) with Richard Boone, Gene Tierney, and Hugh Marlowe
With a Song in My Heart (1952) with Susan Hayward, Thelma Ritter, David Wayne, and Max Showalter
Meet Me After the Show (1951) with Betty Grable, Macdonald Carey, Irene Ryan, and Eddie Albert
I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (1951) with Susan Hayward, William Lundigan, and Barbara Bates
Return of the Frontiersman (1950) with Julie London and Gordon MacRae
Rogue River (1950) with Peter Graves
A Ticket to Tomahawk (1950) with Dan Dailey and Anne Baxter
County Fair (1950)
Massacre River (1949) with Guy Madison, Cathy Downs, and Steve Brodie
Sand (1949) with Mark Stevens and Coleen Gray
Miraculous Journey (1948) with Virginia Grey
The Red House (1947) with Edward G. Robinson and Julie London
That Hagen Girl (1947) with Ronald Reagan, Shirley Temple, and Lois Maxwell
Adventure Island (1947) with Rhonda Fleming
The Great John L. (1945) with Linda Darnell and Barbara Britton
The Bullfighters (1945) with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy
Sunday Dinner for a Soldier (1944)
TELEVISION SERIES
Capitol, 1982-1987 daytime drama. Calhoun portrayed Judge Judson Tyler. Also in the cast were Julie Adams, Richard Egan, Anthony Eisley, Julie Parrish, and Lana Wood
The Blue and the Gray, 1982 miniseries. Other cast members included Sterling Hayden and Warren Oates
The Texan, 1958-1960 CBS TV series. This show also aired on ABC weekdays between October 1960 and March 1962.
rory calhoun links
The Rory Calhoun Homepage
Look for a biography, filmography, photo gallery, and more on actor Rory Calhoun.
Click on the logo to go back to Brian's Drive-In Theater
This page premiered May 8, 2001.
Copyright and Disclaimer Information
