Dick Purcell
Encyclopedia
Dick Purcell was an American
actor best known for playing Marvel Comics
' Captain America
in the 1943 film serial, co-starring with Lorna Gray
and Lionel Atwill
. Purcell also appeared in films such as Tough Kid (1938), Heroes In Blue
(1939), Irish Luck
(1939) and King Of The Zombies
(1941).
. An only child, he attended Catholic grade school and high school, before enrolling as a student at Fordham University
in The Bronx in New York City
.
, Sailor, Beware! and Paths of Glory
. During his time acting in Paths of Glory, a talent scout spooted Purcell and this led to a small role in the film Ceiling Zero
(1936). His next film was Man Hunt
in which Purcell had a larger role as a newspaper reporter. Amazingly, Purcell appeared in eleven films in 1936 alone.
serial film based (loosely) on the comic book character Captain America
. It was the last Republic serial made about a superhero
. It also has the distinction of being the most expensive serial that Republic ever made.
The serial sees Captain America, really District Attorney
Grant Gardner, trying to thwart the plans of The Scarab, really museum curator Dr. Cyrus Maldor - especially regarding his attempts to acquire the "Dynamic Vibrator" and "Electronic Firebolt", devices that could be used as super-weapons.
Dick Purcell won the role as District Attorney
Grant Gardner and Captain America. Purcell was cast as the hero despite supposedly appearing a bit overweight and average
.
The role that made Dick Purcell famous turned out to be his last, and in fact he died before the film serial was released, to enormous success: Captain America. The strain of filming Captain America had been too much for his heart
and he collapsed in the locker room at a Los Angeles
country club on 10 April 1944, shortly after playing a round of golf, Purcell died a few weeks after filming was completed.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor best known for playing Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
' Captain America
Captain America (serial)
Captain America is a Republic black-and-white serial film based on the comic book character Captain America. It was the last Republic serial made about a superhero...
in the 1943 film serial, co-starring with Lorna Gray
Lorna Gray
Lorna Gray is an American film actress, known for her comic roles and later as a villainess. She is best known for her role as Mattie Herring in the 1940 Three Stooges film You Nazty Spy!-Career:...
and Lionel Atwill
Lionel Atwill
Lionel Atwill was an English stage and film actor born in Croydon, London, England.He studied architecture before his stage debut at the Garrick Theatre, London in 1904. He become a star in Broadway theatre by 1918, and made his screen debut in 1919. He acted on the stage in Australia but was most...
. Purcell also appeared in films such as Tough Kid (1938), Heroes In Blue
Heroes in Blue
Heroes in Blue is a 1939 American film directed by William Watson.- Cast :*Dick Purcell as Terry Murphy*Charles Quigley as Joe Murphy*Bernadene Hayes as Daisy*Edward Keane as Moran*Julie Warren as Kathleen*Lillian Elliott as Mrs. Murphy...
(1939), Irish Luck
Irish Luck
Irish Luck is a 1939 American film directed by Howard Bretherton.The film is also known as Amateur Detective in the United Kingdom.- Cast :*Frankie Darro as Buzzy O'Brien*Dick Purcell as Steve Lanahan*Lillian Elliott as Mrs...
(1939) and King Of The Zombies
King of the Zombies
- Plot :During World War II, a small plane somewhere over the Caribbean runs low on fuel and is blown off course by a storm. Guided by a faint radio signal, they crash-land on an island. The passenger, his manservant and the pilot take refuge in a mansion owned by a doctor...
(1941).
Early Life
Purcell was born Richard Gerald Purcell, Jr. in Greenwich, ConnecticutGreenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
. An only child, he attended Catholic grade school and high school, before enrolling as a student at Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
in The Bronx in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Theatre and Early Film Work
While in New York City, Dick Purcell began his acting career in theatre, appearing in at least three plays: Men in WhiteMen in White
-Film and theatre:* Men in White , a 1933 drama written by Sidney S. Kingsley* Men in White , an American drama film* Men in White , a comedy film by National Lampoon Inc...
, Sailor, Beware! and Paths of Glory
Paths of Glory
Paths of Glory is a 1957 American anti-war film by Stanley Kubrick based on the novel of the same name by Humphrey Cobb. Set during World War I, the film stars Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax, the commanding officer of French soldiers who refused to continue a suicidal attack...
. During his time acting in Paths of Glory, a talent scout spooted Purcell and this led to a small role in the film Ceiling Zero
Ceiling Zero
Ceiling Zero is a 1936 adventure/drama film directed by Howard Hawks. It stars James Cagney as daredevil womanizing pilot "Dizzy" Davis and Pat O'Brien as Jake Lee, his war veteran buddy and the operations manager of an airline company. Based on a stage play of the same name, the film blends drama...
(1936). His next film was Man Hunt
Man Hunt
Man Hunt is the twelfth episode of the third series of the British comedy series Dad's Army that was originally transmitted on Thursday 27 November 1969.-Synopsis:...
in which Purcell had a larger role as a newspaper reporter. Amazingly, Purcell appeared in eleven films in 1936 alone.
Captain America
Captain America (1944) is a RepublicRepublic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
serial film based (loosely) on the comic book character Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
. It was the last Republic serial made about a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
. It also has the distinction of being the most expensive serial that Republic ever made.
The serial sees Captain America, really District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
Grant Gardner, trying to thwart the plans of The Scarab, really museum curator Dr. Cyrus Maldor - especially regarding his attempts to acquire the "Dynamic Vibrator" and "Electronic Firebolt", devices that could be used as super-weapons.
Dick Purcell won the role as District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
Grant Gardner and Captain America. Purcell was cast as the hero despite supposedly appearing a bit overweight and average
Average
In mathematics, an average, or central tendency of a data set is a measure of the "middle" value of the data set. Average is one form of central tendency. Not all central tendencies should be considered definitions of average....
.
The role that made Dick Purcell famous turned out to be his last, and in fact he died before the film serial was released, to enormous success: Captain America. The strain of filming Captain America had been too much for his heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
and he collapsed in the locker room at a Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
country club on 10 April 1944, shortly after playing a round of golf, Purcell died a few weeks after filming was completed.