 1953 | Wayne Morris Real name: Bert DeWayne Morris, Jr. 1914 - 1959 |
| Special thanks to Bill Russell for the biography on Wayne Morris which went online back in 2001. As new info became available, ye Old Corral webmeister did some updates and tweaks to the bio. |
Born February 17, 1914 in Los Angeles, he attended Los Angeles High where he was a member of the cheerleading squad. Contrary to popular belief and probably studio hype, he did not play football. After graduating, he attended Los Angeles City College before entering the famous Pasadena Playhouse on a scholarship. A screen test with Warner Brothers' Studio led to a contract and a bit part as a navigator in the 1936 CHINA CLIPPER, an aviation yarn starring Pat O'Brien. Other small roles followed between 1936 and 1937. His big break finally came in May of '37 when the studio selected him for the title role in KID GALAHAD. Directed by Sam Bischoff, it was a major film with an impressive cast that included Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart. In fact, KID GALAHAD is considered Morris' best film and definitely boosted him to near-star status. That year also found Morris in his first Western, supporting Dick Foran in LAND BEYOND THE LAW. Then came good performances in other roles including VALLEY OF THE GIANTS ('38), a Peter B. Kyne tale starring Chester Morris and Claire Trevor (two actors who would also become familiar with the Western genre) about lumberjacks and their many brawls. Unfortunately, the following year, Morris would appear in only two films for the studio - THE KID FROM KOKOMO and THE RETURN OF DOCTOR X (which starred Bogart in the ludicrous role of Doctor X). Meanwhile, over at the Republic lot, changes were being made in their THREE MESQUITEERS' lineup. John Wayne, who had replaced Robert Livingston for the '38-'39 season, was moving up to bigger and better things (thanks, of course, to his starring role in STAGECOACH). This left a vacancy in the Stony Brooke role. Morris, interested in the role, and currently unsigned, inquired about the role, but to no avail. Discouraged, he then went back to Warners, who offered him another contract, which he signed. Republic then re-signed Livingston to portray Stony Brooke. Then began one of Morris's busiest seasons, appearing in seven titles, none of them Westerns. Of the seven, FLIGHT ANGELS (starring Dennis Morgan and Jane Wyman), undoubtedly set the stage for Wayne Morris's future. During the shooting of the film, he took up flying lessons, a decision that would make a significant impact on his life. Morris' first Western of note came in 1941 in the Warner Brothers' BAD MEN OF MISSOURI in which he plays one of the notorious Younger brothers. With war clouds hanging over much of Europe and Asia, Morris became one of the first Hollywood actors to enter the service, joining the Naval Reserves and receiving a commission. Following flight training and a year as an instructor, he was thrust immediately in the Pacific air war, flying an F6F Hellcat off the carrier, the USS Essex. He would go on to fly 57 missions, shooting down seven Japanese aircraft, making him one of the early American aces of the war. Of the 57 missions he flew, three of his Hellcats were so full of holes when he returned to his carrier, they were rendered "unfit for duty" and dumped overboard. Returning to Hollywood after the war, Morris attempted to pick up where he left off but things were not the same. He had difficulty getting roles; for some reason the studio kept him on ice for over a year before his next film appearance, on loan to Fox for the film, DEEP VALLEY, starring Ida Lupino and Dane Clark. Back to Warner's he began to receive good, co-starring roles in 1947-48 and in 1949 mounted up for his third Western, THE YOUNGER BROTHERS, another accounting of the outlaw brothers with Morris essaying the role of Cole in this one (he played Bob Cole in the '41 film). Further adventure-type roles followed until 1951 when he returned to the Western genre again with star Rod Cameron for the routine but efficient Columbia oater, STAGE TO TUCSON. Then came SIERRA PASSAGE for Monogram with a good cast featuring Lola Albright and I. Stanford Jolley (Jim Bannon, a former Red Ryder appeared briefly in the film). Closing out 1951 was YELLOWFIN (Monogram), and THE BUSHWHACKERS, a Jack Broder Western that starred John Ireland in his first starring role. In 1952, Morris began his series of pictures for Monogram/Allied Artists, leading off with DESERT PURSUIT, an off-beat Western which takes place in Death Valley with Morris and ingnue Virginia Grey being chased by Arab-like characters on camels. Morris' B-Western run officially began in December 1952 with TEXAS BADMAN, although STAR OF TEXAS (issued the following month) is often listed as the first of the series. A cut above the average B-Western, it was directed in documentary style by Lewis Collins and is unique in that no females are in the cast. As put by the late Don Miller in his unsurpassed HOLLYWOOD CORRAL, there was "no timeout for obligatory romantic byplay". It was all action. Still possessing an athletic build and the good looks of his earlier days, unfortunately, the years had taken its toll in the weight department, making him a little beefier than the average sagebrush hero. Nevertheless, he handled himself well in the action department and although doubled in most fight scenes, in close-ups he looked realistic enough throwing a punch. His Western garb was more on the conservative side and his horse had no name, an average looking cayuse that he rode with more or less convincing ability. Several of his Allied Artists' pictures could be in the B-plus category rather than true, low-budgeted, formatted and programmed Westerns of the 30's and 40's. Running times were generally longer. THE DESPERADO ('54), next to last in the series ran for 82 minutes. THE FIGHTING LAWMAN ('53) clocked in at 71 minutes while STAR OF TEXAS ('53) and the last, TWO GUNS AND A BADGE ('54) were in the 68-69 minute range. The other two - TEXAS BADMAN ('52) and THE MARKSMAN ('53) - ran the standard 60-minute format. Of the six, THE DESPERADO is by far the strongest and best of the series. The final film in the series, and considered the last B-Western produced, TWO GUNS AND A BADGE, released September 12, 1954, was more true to B-Western standards. Replete with a strong cast that included Beverly Garland, Morris Ankrum, Roy Barcroft, and I. Stanford Jolley, it has ex-con Morris mistaken for a lawman who arrives in town to face corrupt rancher Barcroft. It was the last gasp for the B-Western series and the end of an era that brought thrills and chills to millions of fans growing up in the 1930s-1950s. Morris returned to Warner Brothers in 1954 to take second lead in the Randolph Scott, RIDING SHOTGUN and later that year traveled to England where he made five films for release in the U.S. Throughout 1955, Morris appeared or starred in several adventure-oriented films and for reasons unknown, was inactive the following year, or at least no credits have turned up. The following year he appeared as cowardly "Lieutenant Roget" in the somber and disturbing PATHS OF GLORY ('57), the Stanley Kubrick directed story about an action in World War I. Morris' last screen appearance came in 1961 in BUFFALO GUN, a low-budget Globe production that featured singers Marty Robbins. Webb Pierce, and Carl Smith. It was not released until three years after it was filmed, and ironically, two years following Morris' death. In the late 1950s, Morris, like so many other actors of the day, turned to the TV medium for work. From 1957 until his death, he appeared in a number of TV Westerns, and starred in an unsold TV pilot called THEY WENT THATAWAY. During this period, he made his Broadway debut in the William Saroyan play "The Cave Dwellers". He was "the Duke", a washed up prizefighter, and the play ran for 97 performances from October, 1957 to January, 1958. Wayne Morris' tragic death on September 14, 1959 at the age of 45 was a bizarre and ironic one. While visiting his old wartime commander and watching aerial maneuvers on the bridge of a carrier off the coast of Monterey, he collapsed and died of a heart attack. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. His younger brother, Richard, a B-17 pilot shot down during World War II, also reposes at Arlington. In February, 1942, Morris married Patricia O'Rourke, an Olympic swimmer and sister of Republic Pictures leading lady Peggy Stewart, and they had two daughters, Patricia and Melinda. Tragedy struck in May, 1946 when their newborn son passed away hours after birth. Prior to that pairing, there was a 1939 - 1941 marriage to tobacco heiress Leonora 'Bubbles' Schinasi, who, in later life, became newspaper writer and book author Leonora Hornblow. Whether or not Wayne Morris was the last of the B-Western heroes is irrelevant and of little consequence when you consider his fighter pilot experiences in World War II. Americans should never forget his military service. |
 1938 trade publication ad for Wayne Morris during his early years at Warners.  Pressbook ad for BAD MEN OF MISSOURI (Warners, 1941). L-R are Dennis Morgan, Wayne Morris, and Arthur Kennedy in a tale about the Younger Brothers. Morris did a few 1941 movies for Warners and then left for World War II service as a Navy fighter pilot. His return to films was in 1947.  (Courtesy of Les Adams) L-to-R are George 'Commando Cody' Wallace, Wayne Morris, Mickey Simpson, and Paul Fix in a lobby card from STAR OF TEXAS (Allied Artists, 1953).  (Courtesy of Bruce Hickey) Wayne Morris' TWO GUNS AND A BADGE (1954) was the last of the SERIES westerns at Monogram / Allied Artists. |
Addenda
Notes from the Old Corral webmaster:
While I agree with Bill Russell's comments about Wayne Morris being the last of the B western series heroes, I realize that some have different opinions and views. In order to reduce controversy and promote domestic tranquility, please click HERE to find out the western film lead who some believe represents the end of the B western genre.
John Brooker adds some further info on Morris and his mid 1950s work on films and TV in the UK:
The British films Morris starred in between 1953 and 1957 were THE MASTER PLAN (1953), CROSS CHANNEL (1955), THE GREEN BUDDHA (1955), THE GELIGNITE GANG (1956, US title: THE DYNAMITERS) and THE CROOKED SKY (1957). Possibly the reason he appeared to be "inactive" in 1956 is because he was in the UK starring in 26 half hour episodes of THE ADVENTURES OF THE BIG MAN in which he played Bill Pierce, a troubleshooter for a big department store. It was a Charles Wick presentation for Trinity Productions. Admittedly it wasn't very good but I always liked Morris (I found his voice particularly interesting) and I remember enjoying them. I can't find any reference to the series in the books I checked. He also appeared in a SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE episode "Beam of Fire" in 1956, an ALFRED HITCHCOCK "A Personal Matter" (shown January 1959 in US) and "The Archer's Ring" episode of ADVENTURES IN PARADISE. His TV western series appearances include GUNSMOKE, MAVERICK, WAGON TRAIN, LAWMAN, WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE, BAT MASTERSON and BRONCO. For me, TWO GUNS AND A BADGE is the last of the B westerns although I know there are those who would disagree. |
LINKS
Morris did one play on Broadway - he was "the Duke" in the William Saroyan play "The Cave Dwellers" which ran for 97 performances from October, 1957 to January, 1958: YouTube has the trailer for KID GALAHAD (Warners, 1937) which starred Bette Davis, Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart ... and Wayne Morris as "Kid Galahad". The director was Michael Curtiz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTraUoQ9i8g YouTube has a few Wayne Morris movies to view / download: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%22wayne+morris%22&sp=EgIYAg%253D%253D Tim Dirks' Filmsite website has an in-depth review of Stanley Kubrick's PATHS OF GLORY anti-war film, including Morris' performance as the cowardly Lieutenant: http://www.filmsite.org/path.html Jerry Murbach's Doctor Macro website has images of Morris: http://www.doctormacro.com/Movie%20Star%20Pages/Morris,%20Wayne.htm Stars and Stripes is a daily newspaper published for the U.S. military, DoD civilians, contractors, and their families. Their website has a photo of Wayne Morris, and the photo credit notes: Frankfurt, Germany, May 6, 1954: Actor Wayne Morris, on a tour of bases in France, Germany, Austria and Italy, talks with U.S. soldiers at the Carlton Hotel. Go to: https://www.stripes.com/history/archive_photo_of_the_day/actor-wwii-fighter-ace-wayne-morris-1954-1.481841 The Arlington Cemetery Net website has some additional info and photos on Wayne Morris: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/bdmorrisjr.htm
Wayne Morris death announcements:
His first wife was tobacco heiress Leonora 'Bubbles' Schinasi who later became author Leonora Hornblow:
February 25, 1942 marriage of Ensign Wayne Morris and Patricia Ann O'Rourke: May 31, 1946 San Pedro News Pilot reported the death of the infant son of Morris and Patsy O'Rourke: https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SPNP19460531.2.109&srpos=24&e=-------en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22wayne+morris%22------- The forgotten Hollywood war hero: Wayne Morris: https://cometoverhollywood.com/2013/05/27/the-forgotten-hollywood-war-hero-wayne-morris/ Veteran Tributes website has more on Morris' Navy career: http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1548 Find A Grave website has a photo of the grave marker for U.S. Navy officer Wayne Morris at Arlington National Cemetery: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6563/wayne-morris The U. S. Veterans Administration gravesite locator website at https://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/ngl/index.jsp has the following information on Wayne Morris and his brother Richard B. Morris, both of whom are interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia:
MORRIS, BERT DEWAYNE |
Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Wayne Morris: