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Anthony Warde, Buck Rogers, 1939. Brandon wasn’t well pleased with his agent. He’d hoped to land Buck’s major villain – Killer Kane, no less – but all he got was one of his gang. . And a lesson from Mr Agent. “The lead heavy works for one day. The henchman works three weeks. Which part did you say you wanted again?”
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Phillip Reed, Aloma of the South Seas, 1940. Brandon was among the testees as he was often played Arab, East Asian, Indian, Persians or Native American in his 175 screen roles. He was the long-time companion of Mark Herron, Judy Garland’s fourth husband.
- Victor Mature, Samson and Delilah, 1949. Cinemperor Cecil B DeMIlle first planned the epic in 1935 for Henry Wilcoxon and Miriam Hopkins. Next in line, producer David O Selznick envisaged Kirk Douglas and Marlene Dietrich… By ’48, CB got serious. So did James Mason – suggesting $250,000. (DeMille showed him the door). He toyed with Roberts Mitchum, Ryan and Taylor; ruled out Lex Barker (he became a five-time Tarzan) and Burt Lancaster – too inexperienced, a bad back and “bad” politics. Other also-rans went from longtime CB acolyte John Bromfield, Rory Calhoun, Jim Davis (future father of JR in Dallas), Errol Flynn, William Hopper (Hedda’s son!), John Ireland, Glen Langan, Willard Parker… to the youngest new evangelist in town, Dr Billy Graham!. Then, CB was telling 22-year-old Steve Reeves, to tone down his muscularity – while packing Mature off to the gym to beef his up! Here’s a review by Groucho Marx: “No picture can hold my interest where the leading man’s bust is larger than the leading lady’s!”
- Henry Wilcoxon, The Ten Commandments, 1954.
Birth year: 1912Death year: 1990Other name: Casting Calls: 4