Joseph Kane
Encyclopedia
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
) was a prolific American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
, film editor and screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
. He is best known for his extensive directorship and focus on western films.
1934–1950
Kane originally began as a professional cellistCello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
, but took up an interest in film directing in 1934 and began co-directing serials for Mascot and Republic from 1935. He soon became their top western director.
He made his first directorial credit with The Fighting Marines (1935). When Mascot and several other small film companies amalgamated into Republic Pictures
Republic 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....
in 1935, Kane became staff director, remaining at the studio until it ceased production in 1958. He piloted many Gene Autry
Gene Autry
Orvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...
and Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
movies and directed John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
on films such as The Lawless Nineties
The Lawless Nineties
The Lawless Nineties is a 1936 American western film directed by Joseph Kane. The 55 minute film starred John Wayne, and Lane Chandler as federal agents in Wyoming...
in 1936 and Flame of Barbary Coast
Flame of Barbary Coast
Flame of Barbary Coast is a 1945 western film starring John Wayne, Ann Dvorak, Joseph Schildkraut, William Frawley, and Virginia Grey. The movie was scripted by Borden Chase and directed by Joseph Kane.-Plot:...
(1944), and Joseph Schildkraut
Joseph Schildkraut
Joseph Schildkraut was an Austrian stage and film actor.-Early life:Born in Vienna, Austria, Schildkraut was the son of stage actor Rudolph Schildkraut. The younger Schildkraut moved to the United States in the early 1900s. He appeared in many Broadway productions...
on The Cheaters in 1945. Between 1935 and his death in 1975 he directed over 125 films.
Unlike most Republic house directors, Kane was also credited as associate producer on many films. Between 1939 and 1957 he was a major film producer, producing over 60 films.
Kane was also a film editor and screenwriter responsible for the editing process of over 20 of his films, and he had a brief stint as an actor.
1950-death
During the 1950s, Kane worked steadily on televisionTelevision
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, with emphasis on westerns and action series. Joseph Kane spent the last decade of his life as a second-unit director on such productions as Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
Beau Geste (1966) and In Enemy Country (1968).
He died in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
in 1975.
Partial filmography
- In Old Santa FeIn Old Santa FeIn Old Santa Fe is a U.S. 1934 Western film starring Ken Maynard and George "Gabby" Hayes. The movie features the first screen appearance of Gene Autry, singing a song with a bluegrass band that includes Smiley Burnette...
(1934) with Ken MaynardKen MaynardKen Maynard was an American motion picture stuntman and actor.-Biography:Born Kenneth Olin Maynard in Vevay, Indiana, he was one of five children. His younger brother, Kermit Maynard, also became a stuntman and actor....
, George "Gabby" Hayes, Gene AutryGene AutryOrvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...
(unbilled singer), and Smiley BurnetteSmiley BurnetteLester Alvin Burnett , better known as Smiley Burnette, was a popular American country music performer and a comedic actor in Western films and on radio and TV, playing sidekick to Gene Autry and other B-movie cowboys. He was also a prolific singer-songwriter who could play as many as 100 musical...
(unbilled singer) - Tumbling TumblingweedsTumbling Tumbleweeds (1935 film)Tumbling Tumbleweeds is a 1935 American musical Western film scripted by Ford Beebe, directed by Joseph Kane, and starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and Gabby Hayes.-Cast:Gene Autry ... Gene Autry Smiley Burnette ... Smiley...
(1935) with Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and George "Gabby" Hayes - Melody Trail (1935) with Gene Autry, Ann RutherfordAnn RutherfordAnn Rutherford is a Canadian-American actress in film, radio, and television. She has had a long career starring and co-starring in films, playing Polly Benedict on the big screen of the 1930s and 1940s in the Andy Hardy series, and on The Bob Newhart Show as Newhart's character's...
, and Smiley Burnette - The Lawless NinetiesThe Lawless NinetiesThe Lawless Nineties is a 1936 American western film directed by Joseph Kane. The 55 minute film starred John Wayne, and Lane Chandler as federal agents in Wyoming...
(1936) with John WayneJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height... - Darkest Africa with Clyde BeattyClyde BeattyClyde Beatty joined the circus as a cage cleaner as a teen and became famous as a lion tamer and animal trainer. He also became a circus impresario who owned his own show that later merged with the Cole Bros. Circus to form the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros...
- King of the PecosKing of the PecosKing of the Pecos is a 1936 American Western film starring John Wayne and Muriel Evans.-Cast:* John Wayne - John Clayborn* Muriel Evans - Belle Jackson* Cy Kendall - Alexander Stiles* Jack Clifford - Henchman Ash* Arthur Aylesworth - Hank Mathews...
(1936) with John Wayne and Muriel EvansMuriel EvansMuriel Evans was an American film actress. She is best known for her many appearances in popular westerns of the 1930s for which she won a Golden Boot Award.-Early life and career:... - The Lonely TrailThe Lonely TrailThe Lonely Trail is a 1936 Western film starring John Wayne and Ann Rutherford.-Cast:* John Wayne - Captain John Ashley* Ann Rutherford - Virginia Terry* Cy Kendall - Adjutant General Benedict Holden* Bob Kortman - Captain Hays...
(1936) with John Wayne and Ann Rutherford - Guns and Guitars (1936) with Gene AutryGene AutryOrvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...
and Smiley Burnette - Oh, Susanna!Oh, Susanna! (1936 film)- Plot summary :Fleeing the law, Wolf Benson hops on a train, throws Autry off, and assumes Autry's identity. Posing as Autry, he robs and kills Autry's friend, Lee...
(1936) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette - Ride Ranger RideRide Ranger RideRide Ranger Ride is a 1936 American film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Gene Autry.- Cast :*Gene Autry as Texas Ranger Gene Autry*Smiley Burnette as Frog Millhouse*Kay Hughes as Dixie Summerall*Monte Blue as Duval, aka Chief Tavibo*George J...
(1936) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette - The Old CorralThe Old CorralThe Old Corral is a 1936 American film featuring an uncredited Roy Rogers....
(1936) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette - Git Along, Little DogiesGit Along, Little Dogies"Git Along, Little Dogies" is a traditional cowboy ballad, also performed under the title "Whoopie Ti Yi Yo". Artists who have played the song include Roy Rogers, the Sons of the Pioneers, The Kingston Trio, Charlie Daniels, David Bromberg, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Holly Golightly, and Nickel Creek...
(1937) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette - Round-Up Time in TexasRound-Up Time in Texas- Cast :*Gene Autry as Gene Autry*Smiley Burnette as Frog*Maxine Doyle as Gwen Barkley*The Cabin Kids as Chief Bosuto's Children*Champion as Gene's Horse*LeRoy Mason as John Cardigan*Earle Hodgins as Barkey McCusky*Dick Wessel as Henchman Craig Johnson...
(1937) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette - Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge (1937) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
- Public Cowboy No. 1Public Cowboy No. 1- Cast :*Gene Autry as Deputy Sheriff Gene Autry*Smiley Burnette as Frog Millhouse*Ann Rutherford as Helen Morgan*William Farnum as Sheriff Matt Doniphon*Arthur Loft as Jack Shannon*Frankie Marvin as Deputy Stubby*House Peters Jr. as Jim Shannon...
(1937) with Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and Ann RutherfordAnn RutherfordAnn Rutherford is a Canadian-American actress in film, radio, and television. She has had a long career starring and co-starring in films, playing Polly Benedict on the big screen of the 1930s and 1940s in the Andy Hardy series, and on The Bob Newhart Show as Newhart's character's... - Boots and SaddlesBoots and SaddlesFor the 1957-1958 syndicated western television series starring Jack Pickard, Patrick McVey, and Gardner McKay, see Boots and Saddles .Boots and Saddles is a bugle call sounded for mounted troops to mount and take their place in line....
(1937) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette - Springtime in the RockiesSpringtime in the RockiesSpringtime in the Rockies is a Technicolor musical comedy film released by Twentieth Century Fox in 1942. A Betty Grable vehicle, with support from John Payne, Carmen Miranda, Cesar Romero, Charlotte Greenwood, and Edward Everett Horton. Also in the cast was Grable's future husband Harry James, and...
(1937) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette - Heart of the RockiesHeart of the Rockies (1937 film)Heart of the Rockies is a 1937 American Western "Three Mesquiteers" B-movie directed by Joseph Kane.- Cast :* Robert Livingston as Stony Brooke* Ray Corrigan as Tucson Smith* Max Terhune as Lullaby Joslin...
(1937) - The Old Barn DanceThe Old Barn DanceThe Old Barn Dance is a 1938 American film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Gene Autry. The film is based around Gene Autry and his colleagues who have a horse selling business which is threatened by a tractor company.-Cast:...
(1938) with Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and Roy RogersRoy RogersRoy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
(billed as Dick Weston) - Gold Mine in the SkyGold Mine in the SkyGold Mine in the Sky is a 1938 western film starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette and Carol Hughes. It was written by Betty Burbridge and directed by Joseph Kane.-Plot summary:...
(1938) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette - Man from Music MountainMan from Music Mountain- Cast :*Gene Autry as Gene Autry*Smiley Burnette as Frog Millhouse*Carol Hughes as Helen Foster*Sally Payne as Patsy*Ivan Miller as John Scanlon*Ed Cassidy as William Brady*Lew Kelly as Bowdie Bill*Howard Chase as Abbott*Al Terr as Buddy Harmon...
(1938) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette - ColoradoColorado (1940 film)Colorado is a 1940 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Roy Rogers.-Cast:*Roy Rogers as Lieutenant Jerry Burke*George 'Gabby' Hayes as 'Gabby' Whittaker*Pauline Moore as Lylah Sanford...
(1940) with Roy RogersRoy RogersRoy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain... - The Man from Music MountainThe Man from Music MountainThe Man from Music Mountain is a 1943 American film directed by Joseph Kane.The film is also known as Texas Legionnaires.- Cast :*Roy Rogers as Himself*Trigger as Trigger, Roy's Horse*Bob Nolan as Bob*Sons of the Pioneers as Musicians...
(1943) with Roy RogersRoy RogersRoy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain... - King of the CowboysKing of the CowboysKing of the Cowboys is a 1943 movie directed by Joseph Kane and starring Roy Rogers and Smiley Burnette...
(1943) with Roy Rogers and Smiley Burnette - The Yellow Rose of TexasThe Yellow Rose of Texas (film)- Cast :*Roy Rogers as Roy Rogers*Trigger as Trigger Smartest Horse in the Movies*Dale Evans as Betty Weston*Grant Withers as Express Agent Lucas*Harry Shannon as Sam Weston*George Cleveland as Captain "Cap" Joe*William Haade as Buster, Roy's Sidekick...
(1944) with Roy Rogers - Flame of Barbary CoastFlame of Barbary CoastFlame of Barbary Coast is a 1945 western film starring John Wayne, Ann Dvorak, Joseph Schildkraut, William Frawley, and Virginia Grey. The movie was scripted by Borden Chase and directed by Joseph Kane.-Plot:...
(1945) with John WayneJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
and William FrawleyWilliam FrawleyWilliam Clement "Bill" Frawley was an American stage entertainer, screen and television actor. Although Frawley acted in over 100 films, he achieved his greatest fame playing landlord Fred Mertz for the situation comedy I Love Lucy.-Early life:William was born to Michael A. Frawley and Mary E.... - Ride the Man Down (1952) with Brian DonlevyBrian DonlevyBrian Donlevy was an Irish-born American film actor, noted for playing tough guys from the 1930s to the 1960s. He usually appeared in supporting roles. Among his best known films are Beau Geste and The Great McGinty...
and Ella RainesElla RainesElla Wallace Raines was an American film and television actress.-Life and career:Born Ella Wallace Raubes near Snoqualmie Falls, Washington, Raines studied drama at the University of Washington and was appearing in a play there when she was seen by Howard Hawks... - Timberjack (1955) with Sterling HaydenSterling HaydenSterling Hayden was an American actor and author. For most of his career as a leading man, he specialized in westerns and film noir, such as Johnny Guitar, The Asphalt Jungle and The Killing. Later on he became noted as a character actor for such roles as Gen. Jack D. Ripper in Dr...
and Hoagy CarmichaelHoagy CarmichaelHoward Hoagland "Hoagy" Carmichael was an American composer, pianist, singer, actor, and bandleader. He is best known for writing "Stardust", "Georgia On My Mind", "The Nearness of You", and "Heart and Soul", four of the most-recorded American songs of all time.Alec Wilder, in his study of the... - Track of Thunder (1967) with Faith DomergueFaith Domergue-Early life and career:Born in New Orleans, Domergue was adopted by Adabelle Wemet when she was six weeks old . Adabelle married Leo Domergue in 1926, when Faith was 18 months old. The family moved to California in 1928 where Domergue attended Beverly Hills Catholic School and St...
- Smoke in the Wind (1975) with Walter BrennanWalter BrennanWalter Brennan was an American actor. Brennan won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor on three separate occasions, which is currently the record for most wins.-Early life:...
Famous actors directed by Kane
- John WayneJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
- Walter BrennanWalter BrennanWalter Brennan was an American actor. Brennan won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor on three separate occasions, which is currently the record for most wins.-Early life:...
- Gene AutryGene AutryOrvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...
- Roy RogersRoy RogersRoy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
- George "Gabby" Hayes
- Clyde BeattyClyde BeattyClyde Beatty joined the circus as a cage cleaner as a teen and became famous as a lion tamer and animal trainer. He also became a circus impresario who owned his own show that later merged with the Cole Bros. Circus to form the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros...
- Jack IngramJack Ingram (actor)Jack Ingram was an American film actor. He appeared in over 300 films between 1935 and 1966, according to the Internet Movie Data Base.He was born in Illinois, and died in Canoga Park, California of a heart attack...
- Jack O'SheaJack O'SheaJack O’Shea is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played football at various times with his local clubs St. Mary’s in Kerry and Leixlip in Kildare. He was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1976 until 1992...
- Smiley BurnetteSmiley BurnetteLester Alvin Burnett , better known as Smiley Burnette, was a popular American country music performer and a comedic actor in Western films and on radio and TV, playing sidekick to Gene Autry and other B-movie cowboys. He was also a prolific singer-songwriter who could play as many as 100 musical...
- Ann RutherfordAnn RutherfordAnn Rutherford is a Canadian-American actress in film, radio, and television. She has had a long career starring and co-starring in films, playing Polly Benedict on the big screen of the 1930s and 1940s in the Andy Hardy series, and on The Bob Newhart Show as Newhart's character's...
- Sterling HaydenSterling HaydenSterling Hayden was an American actor and author. For most of his career as a leading man, he specialized in westerns and film noir, such as Johnny Guitar, The Asphalt Jungle and The Killing. Later on he became noted as a character actor for such roles as Gen. Jack D. Ripper in Dr...
- Hank WordenHank WordenHank Worden was an American cowboy-turned-character-actor who appeared in many Westerns.-Biography:...
- Paul FixPaul FixPaul Fix was an American film and television character actor, best known for his work in westerns. Fix appeared in more than a hundred movies and dozens of television shows over a 56-year career spanning from 1925 to 1981...
- Barbara StanwyckBarbara StanwyckBarbara Stanwyck was an American actress. She was a film and television star, known during her 60-year career as a consummate and versatile professional with a strong screen presence, and a favorite of directors including Cecil B. DeMille, Fritz Lang and Frank Capra...
- Fred MacMurrayFred MacMurrayFrederick Martin "Fred" MacMurray was an American actor who appeared in more than 100 movies and a successful television series during a career that spanned nearly a half-century, from 1930 to the 1970s....
- Scott BradyScott BradyScott Brady was an American film and television actor.Born as Gerard Kenneth Tierney, he was the younger brother of fellow actor Lawrence Tierney. Brady served in the Navy during World War II, where he was a boxing champ...
- Rod CameronRod CameronRod Cameron was a Canadian-born movie actor whose career extended from the 1930s to the 1970s. He appeared in horror, war, action and science fiction movies, but is best remembered for his many Westerns....
- Chubby JohnsonChubby JohnsonChubby Johnson was an American movie and television supporting character actor with a genial demeanor and warm country-accented voice perfect for westerns...
- Jim DavisJim Davis (actor)Jim Davis was an American actor, best known for his role as Jock Ewing in the CBS prime-time soap Dallas, a role which he held up until his death in April 1981.-Biography:...
- Robert ArmstrongRobert Armstrong (actor)Robert Armstrong was an American film actor best remembered for his role as Carl Denham in the 1933 version of King Kong by RKO Pictures. He uttered the famous exit quote, "'Twas beauty killed the beast," at the film's end...
- Elisha Cook, Jr.
- Edgar BuchananEdgar BuchananEdgar Buchanan was an American actor with a long career in both film and television, most familiar today as Uncle Joe Carson from the Petticoat Junction, Green Acres and The Beverly Hillbillies television sitcoms of the 1960s...
- Gerald MohrGerald MohrGerald Mohr was an American radio, film and television character actor who appeared in over 4,000 radio plays, 73 films and over 100 television shows....
- Peggy MoranPeggy MoranPeggy Moran was an American film actress who appeared in films between 1938 and 1943.-Life and career:...
- Lee Van CleefLee Van CleefLee Van Cleef was an American film actor who appeared mostly in Western and action pictures. His sharp features and piercing eyes led to his being cast as a villain in scores of films such as High Noon, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and The Good The Bad and the Ugly.-Early life:Van Cleef was...