Updated 1/26/2008 with more films available on DVD.
biography
Handsome second-feature lead Tom Neal was born into a wealthy family in Evanston, Illinois, in January 1914. The well-educated Neal attended Northwestern University, where he excelled on the boxing team, and graduated from Harvard Law School at the age of 24. Neal never intended to practice law, preferring instead to be an actor. After doing some work in summer stock, he made his Broadway debut in the mid 1930s, right before starting law school. In the late 1930s, Neal went to Hollywood where he was put under contract to MGM. But the studio didn't give him a big build-up, loaning him out instead to other, smaller studios. After his contract ended in 1942, Neal freelanced with great success, appearing in films frequently with beautiful B movie queen Ann Savage. The war years proved to be the best of Tom Neal's film career.
LEFT: Boxing shot of Tom Neal. CENTER: Late 1930s MGM publicity photos. Here, Neal resembles a young Clark Gable. RIGHT: Mid 1940s photo
Neal's career began to sag a bit after the end of World War II, yet he kept getting roles. What ended his film career was a scandal surrounding his involvement with actress Barbara Payton. Payton was engaged to actor Franchot Tone but had a roving eye. She began seeing Neal on the sly, which Tone quickly learned. During a confrontation in September 1951, Tone and Neal brawled over her affections. Tone caught the worst end of the fight and was hospitalized for several days and required plastic surgery. Payton and Tone married a couple of weeks after the altercation, but their marriage ended just a few months later. Afterward, Neal and Payton married, but this union ended quickly.
The Franchot Tone-Barbara Payton-Tom Neal triangle made headlines in 1951 and effectively killed the film careers of all three principals
By the mid 1950s, Neal's acting career was finished, so he moved to Palm Springs and started a successful landscaping business. Neal remarried in 1956 and welcomed the birth of his only child, a son, in 1957. Sadly, Neal's wife passed away the following year from cancer. After his wife's death, he attempted to resume his acting career but was only able to land a small film role and a little television work.
With Richard Loo in the RKO drama Behind the Rising Sun
Klondike Kate (1943)
With Ann Savage in Columbia's western Klondike Kate
There's Something About a Soldier (1943)
From the Columbia wartime drama There's Something About a Soldier
Detour (1945)
Tom Neal has just accidentally strangled Ann Savage in the classic low-budget thriller Detour. This is probably the best film PRC ever released and certainly the best known
First Yank Into Tokyo (1945)
LEFT: In RKO's First Yank Into Tokyo, Tom Neal undergoes plastic surgery in order to infiltrate the Japanese military. RIGHT: With co-star Barbara Hale
Blonde Alibi (1946)
With Martha O'Driscoll in the Universal second feature Blonde Alibi
Navy Bound (1951)
From the Monogram release Navy Bound
Danger Zone (1951)
With Pamela Blake, Virginia Dale, and Hugh Beaumont in Money Madness
later years
The Franchot Tone-Barbara Payton scandal was not the last or the worst for Tom Neal. In 1961, he married Gale Bennett, his fourth wife. Four years later, Neal shot his wife in the head, killing her instantly. Although Neal maintained that the killing was an accident, he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years. After serving six years of his sentence with good behavior, he was paroled in late 1971 and returned to the Los Angeles area, where he and his teenaged son shared an apartment. Sadly, Tom Neal died suddenly of a heart attack at age 58 in August 1972. His son, Tom Neal Jr., has also dabbled in acting.
The Complete Thin Man Collection [DVD] DVD All six films from the popular MGM series starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Dashiell Hammett's sophisticated crimesolvers, Nick and Nora Charles, are featured in a seven-disc boxed set. The duo's search for a missing inventor leads to a deadly whodunit in "The Thin Man" (1934), with Maureen O'Sullivan, Nat Pendleton, and Edward Ellis in the title role. Nick and Nora then return to solve a murder among San Francisco's bluebloods in "After the Thin Man" (1936), co-starring Elissa Landi and a young James Stewart. Baby Nick Charles, Jr. makes his debut in "Another Thin Man" (1939), as mom and pop aid an old friend who fears for his life. C. Aubrey Smith and Virginia Grey co-star. Then, it's murder among the "horsey set" in "Shadow of the Thin Man" (1941), with Barry Nelson and Donna Reed. And "The Thin Man Goes Home" (1944), only to find crime has followed him there; co-stars Gloria De Haven and Lucile Watson. Finally, New York's jazz joints provide the backdrop for "Song of the Thin Man" (1947), with Keenan Wynn and Gloria Grahame. 10 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; documentaries; radio broadcasts; TV pilot; interviews; bonus shorts; more. The Great Jesse James Raid And Other Legendary Outlaws [DVD] DVD Three-disc boxed set includes "Legendary Outlaws Double Feature, Vol. 1: The Great Jesse James Raid/Renegade Girl," "Legendary Outlaws Double Feature, Vol. 2: The Return of Jesse James/Gunfire," and "Legendary Outlaws Double Feature, Vol. 3: The Dalton Gang/I Shot Billy the Kid." Forgotten Noir: Collector's Set Series Two [DVD] DVD Three-disc set includes "Tough Assignment," "Fingerprints Don't Lie," "F.B.I. Girl," "Mask of the Dragon," "I'll Get You," and "The Man from Cairo." Another Thin Man [DVD](1939) DVD In their third outing, the Charleses travel to the Long Island estate of a wealthy munitions mogul who's convinced his ex-business partner is out to kill him. And when his premonition comes eerily true, it's up to Nick and Nora to catch the murderer. Features the first appearance of Nick Charles, Jr. Myrna Loy, William Powell, C. Aubrey Smith star. 102 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; bonus shorts "Love on Tap" (1939), "The Bookworm" (1939); theatrical trailer. The Courageous Dr. Christian [DVD](1940) DVD Thrilling second installment in the "Dr. Christian" film series has the healer frantically working to fight a strain of spinal meningitis that threatens the residents of a poor community he has been trying to improve conditions in. As the epidemic rages out of control, the pipe-smoking, affable doc tries to stop the plague while fighting off the advances of an amorous old woman. Jean Hersholt, Tom Neal, Dorothy Lovett star. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions. Jungle Girl [DVD](1941) DVD Frances Gifford stars in the title role as Nyoka, a young woman living in the African jungle with her physician father. When the doctor's evil twin murders him and assumes his identity in order to search for a fortune in diamonds hidden nearby, Nyoka and two pilots must escape the plans of the sinister sibling and his henchmen. With Tom Neal, Trevor Bardette. 15 episodes; 267 min. on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; scene access; photo gallery; biographies; interview. Jungle Girl [VHS](1941) VHS Frances Gifford stars in the title role as Nyoka, a young woman living in the African jungle with her physician father. When the doctor's evil twin murders him and assumes his identity in order to search for a fortune in diamonds hidden nearby, Nyoka and two pilots must escape the plans of the sinister sibling and his henchmen. With Tom Neal, Trevor Bardette. 15 episodes; 267 min. Bowery At Midnight [DVD](1942) DVD Creepy mystery starring Bela Lugosi as a psychology professor who uses a mission as a front for his criminal deeds. When people become aware of his activities, Lugosi has them killed and buried in a basement, then revives them with a special drug. John Archer and Wanda McKay co-star. 60 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; scene access. Plays All Regions. Flying Tigers [DVD](1942) DVD The heroic true exploits of the "Flying Tigers"--the American Volunteer Group of pilots who flew against Japanese forces for China in the days before Pearl Harbor--inspired this patriotic drama that was star John Wayne's first entry in the war genre. The exciting dogfight scenes are a highlight; with Paul Kelly, John Carroll, Anna Lee. 100 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby mono; Subtitles: English; scene access; interactive menus. The Pride Of The Yankees [DVD](1942) DVD Gary Cooper stars as baseball's legendary "Iron Horse," Lou Gehrig, in one of the finest sports movies ever made. Follow Lou's life, from his boyhood on the streets of New York to his all-star career with the Bronx Bombers and his tearful farewell speech at Yankee Stadium, cut down by a mysterious, fatal disease. With Teresa Wright, Walter Brennan, and Babe Ruth as himself. 127 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; theatrical trailer. Crime, Inc. [DVD](1945) DVD Based on real-life experiences chronicled in former crime reporter Martin Mooney's novel, this noirish PRC thriller centers on a stalwart journalist whose self-imposed mission to bring down a group of racketeers is compromised when he begins falling for one of the crooks' sisters. Tom Neal, Lionel Atwill, Leo Carrillo, Martha Tilton star. AKA: "Crime Incorporated." 73 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions. Detour [DVD](1945) DVD Made on pennies by Edgar G. Ulmer, this seedy story focuses on a New York night club pianist hitchhiking to L.A. who is picked up by an amiable gambler. When his rider dies of a heart attack, the pianist takes his wallet and dumps the body. But when he picks up a woman on the road, he finds himself in trouble because of her suspicions and reckless nature. Tom Neal and Ann Savage star. 68 min Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. The Brute Man [DVD](1946) DVD Rondo Hatton, the real-life victim of acromegaly who became a B-movie staple at Universal as "the Creeper," had his only starring role in this semi-autobiographical shocker. A handsome young man is disfigured in a lab experiment and seeks vengeance on his former friends. His only friend is a blind girl pianist. 59 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. The Hat Box Mystery (1947)/Hollywood Mystery(1934) DVD It's a double feature of thrillers! First, a detective's life is complicated after his secretary is set up for murdering a socialite in "The Hat Box Mystery." Can the gumshoe clear her name and find the real killer? Tom Neal, Pamela Blake, Allen Jenkins star. Then, "Hollywood Mystery" follows a drunken Tinseltown publicity agent as he tries to stage a comeback by hiring a thuggish small-time actor to star in a film about a real-life mobster--unaware that he's actually cast the crook to play himself. Offbeat comedy-drama stars Frank Albertson, June Clyde, Jose Crespo. AKA: "Hollywood Hoodlum," "What Price Fame?" 97 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions. Amazon Quest [VHS](1949) VHS Set during the early part of the 1900s, this adventure stars Tom Neal ("Detour") as a diamond cutter attempting to retain his rightful share of a rubber empire. He endures panther attacks, piranhas, quicksand and Indians with poison darts while on his journey to Brazil. Carole Mathews, Carole Donne co-star. The Last Hurrah [DVD](1958) DVD John Ford directed this dramatic look at political cronyism in a large Eastern city. Spencer Tracy stars as a popular mayor who finds himself at odds with the powerful machine as he runs for re-election. Great supporting cast includes Pat O'Brien, John Carradine, Donald Crisp and Jeffrey Hunter. 121 min. Widescreen (Enhanced) and Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby mono; Subtitles: English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai; production notes; theatrical trailers; scene access.
books available from amazon.com
filmography
The Last Hurrah (1958) with Spencer Tracy, Jeffrey Hunter, John Carradine, and Basil Rathbone The Great Jesse James Raid (1953) with Barbara Payton The Du Pont Story (1952) with Lyle Talbot and Whit Bissel Danger Zone (1951) with Hugh Beaumont Stop That Cab (1951) with Marjorie Lord and Sid Melton The Valparaiso Story (1951) with Marjorie Lord, Margaret Field, and Robert Clarke Let's Go Navy! (1951) with Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall G.I. Jane (1951) with Jimmie Dodd Navy Bound (1951) with Regis Toomey Fingerprints Don't Lie (1951) with Lyle Talbot, Sheila Ryan, and Sid Melton King of the Bullwhip (1951) with Lash La Rue Radar Secret Service (1950) with Adele Jergens, John Howard, and Ralph Byrd; this film once aired on Mystery Science Theater 3000 Call of the Klondike (1950) with Kirby Grant and Anne Gwynne Train to Tombstone (1950) with Don "Red" Barry I Shot Billy the Kid (1950) with Don "Red" Barry Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance (1950) with Leon Errol Everybody's Dancin' (1950) with Adele Jergens and Lyle Talbot The Daltons' Women (1950) with Tom Tyler, Lash La Rue, and Lyle Talbot Amazon Quest (1949) with Carole Mathews Red Desert (1949) with Don "Red" Barry Apache Chief (1949) with Alan Curtis Bruce Gentry (1949) with Judy Clark Beyond Glory (1948) with Alan Ladd, Donna Reed, Audie Murphy, and Margaret Field The Case of the Baby-Sitter (1947) with Pamela Blake The Hat Box Mystery (1947) with Pamela Blake Blonde Alibi (1946) with Elisha Cook Jr. and Robert Armstrong My Dog Shep (1946) with Craig Reynolds The Brute Man (1946) with Rondo Hatton; once aired on Mystery Science Theater 3000 First Yank Into Tokyo (1945) with Barbara Hale Detour (1945) with Ann Savage and Tim Ryan Club Havana (1945) with Lita Baron and Margaret Lindsay Crime, Inc. (1945) with Lionel Atwill, Leo Carillo, and Martha Tilton Two Man Submarine (1944) with Ann Savage and J. Carrol Naish The Unwritten Code (1944) with Ann Savage Thoroughbreds (1944) with Adele Mara and Doodles Weaver Behind the Rising Sun (1943) with J. Carrol Naish, Gloria Holden, Robert Ryan, and Margo The Racket Man (1943) with Hugh Beaumont and Larry Parks Klondike Kate (1943) with Ann Savage There's Something About a Soldier (1943) with Bruce Bennett, Evelyn Keyes, Hugh Beaumont, Jeff Donnell, and Kane Richmond Good Luck, Mr. Yates (1943) with Claire Trevor and Edgar Buchanan She Has What It Takes (1943) with Jinx Falkenburg China Girl (1942) with George Montgomery, Lynn Bari, and Gene Tierney Bowery at Midnight (1942) with Bela Lugosi and Wanda McKay Flying Tigers (1942) with John Wayne, Anna Lee, and Paul Kelly The Pride of the Yankees (1942) with Gary Cooper Ten Gentlemen from West Point (1942) with George Montgomery, Maureen O'Hara, Ralph Byrd, and Ward Bond One Thrilling Night (1942) with Wanda McKay and Barbara Pepper Jungle Girl (1941) with Frances Gifford and Gerald Mohr The Miracle Kid (1941) with Carol Hughes Top Sergeant Mulligan (1941) with Nat Pendleton, Carol Hughes, and Sterling Holloway Under Age (1941) with Nan Grey Sky Murder (1940) with Walter Pidgeon, Joyce Compton, and Tom Conway The Courageous Dr. Christian (1940) with Jean Hersholt Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President (1939) with Ann Sothern Another Thin Man (1939) with William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Nat Pendleton They All Came Out (1939) with George Tobias 6000 Enemies (1939) with Walter Pidgeon and Nat Pendleton Within the Law (1939) with Ruth Hussey and Paul Kelly Honolulu (1939) with Eleanor Powell, Robert Young, George Burns, and Gracie Allen Four Girls in White (1939) with Ann Rutherford, Kent Taylor, Buddy Ebsen, and Phillip Terry Burn 'Em Up O'Connor (1939) with Dennis O'Keefe and Nat Pendleton Out West with the Hardys (1938) with Mickey Rooney and Ann Rutherford
TELEVISION A Time to Live, 1954 NBC TV series. Neal portrayed Paul in this 15-minute show
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